Winter Respiratory Disease - Causes
The wintery weather often affects our horses’ respiratory health just as it can affect us. Generally over winter horses are stabled for longer periods of time which can mean they may be exposed to increased levels of airborne dust and other irritants. This can result in airway irritation and trigger an inflammatory response, resulting in coughing, wheezing, nasal discharge or reduced exercise tolerance.
To reduce the impact of airborne irritants on horses respiratory system, there are a few simple management changes that can be implemented. Changing bedding material from straw to dust extracted shavings, paper or cardboard can make a significant difference. Removing the horse from the stable whilst mucking out will also help to reduce the amount of dust they are exposed to. Remember to minimise dust and irritants throughout the horses air space – consider where hay bales are stored and try to keep yards clean and dust free!
When turn out is limited, we then depend on hay or haylage to meet nutritional requirements. Always check that your hay is dry and smells sweet; damp or musty hay may contain moulds which can be harmful when inhaled by your horse. If you have a horse prone to respiratory problems soak your hay for 30 minutes prior to feeding, this is just long enough to dampen down the dust to prevent it from being inhaled, but is not long enough to reduce the nutritional content. Steaming hay can also be very effective, although hay steamers are a more significant investment! Feeding from the floor as opposed to a hay net can also reduce inhalation of dust particles.
There are of course infectious causes of respiratory disease in horses, although these may occur all year round. Increased stabling may lead to raised stress levels or higher levels of nose to nose contact, which may speed the spread of disease. Infectious causes of respiratory disease include Equine Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus, Strangles, and a wide variety of viral causes. It is sensible to maintain good hygiene on a busy yard – ensure that feed bowls and brushes are not shared and if any horses appear unwell they should be isolated and examined by a vet to prevent spread of disease.
Winter Respiratory Disease – Treatment
The mainstay of treating environmental respiratory disease will be management changes, as discussed above. If there is a suspicion of an infectious cause, samples may be taken to help make a diagnosis and guide the most appropriate treatment.
More severe cases may require anti-inflammatory steroid treatment, or medications to open the airways and ease breathing. The treatment may be short or longer term in conjunction with environmental changes.
Occasionally, respiratory conditions persist, and further investigation is required, usually passing an endoscope into the airways to check of any abnormalities and allow diagnostic samples to be taken.
If you are worried about your horse this winter, please call the practice and have a chat with a member of our equine team 01363 772860.
