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Discussion on Cough in older mare
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Member:
Gardener
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 7, 2005 - 8:21 pm:
I have a 19 yr. old Arab mare, who I have had for 3 1/2 yrs. She has always been healthy other than a leg injury a couple of years ago. In Sept. of this year, the hay changed where I board, and the mare started coughing. The stable owner advised that she knew the hay had been baled a little too soon, and she was not feeding the dusty hay. My gelding is fed the same hay and is fine. They changed them to a round bale for Oct. due to the mare's cough, and the cough went away, but in Nov. the horses were put back on the square bales again. The square bales are not very leafy, and smell musty. The mare started coughing again in Nov. when she went back onto the square bales again. The owner of the stable kept saying the hay was fine, and that I needed to have a vet out. She figured the horse just had a cold. So, the vet came and did both horses teeth, and also examined the mare. He said she was bright, alert, no nasal discharge, no temperature, and that he suspected a hay allergy. He advised to water the hay, and not feed in the tire feeders. We are in Alberta, and it is 20 degrees below, so not practical to water hay. So, 2 questions. I have bought alfalfa cubes, and my own hay, which is an alfalfa/timothy blend. The hay is from a trusted source, and is green, leafy, and smells great. I will have them only feed the feed I purchase for the month of Dec. I started this on Dec. 5. When should I expect to see results from the change in feed? Ie.) if it is a cough due to poor hay, how long will it take to get rid of the cough once fed good hay and cubes. Another question, could there be permanent damage from a month of bad hay? The 8 yr. old gelding doesn't cough at all. The mare seems to cough about once a hour, when I am around. Some background information for you. My horses are in a large paddock and shelter. They are outside all the time except when I ride in the arena. They have access to an automatic waterer which only the two of them share. Also, is there anything else I can do to help her? Thanks so much!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Dec 8, 2005 - 10:49 am:
Hello Samantha,
Many horses quit coughing in 3 to 4 weeks. But we cannot predict how long it will be for a particular horse because it depends on how sensitized he has become to the normal background of mold spores even excellent quality hay has.
The article associated with this forum has links to the article on Heaves which will give you many suggestions on how to help your horse.
DrO
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Member:
Gardener
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Posted on Friday, Dec 9, 2005 - 2:42 pm:
Thanks for the information. I have found a few of the articles, and printed them to read over coffee. 
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Member:
Gardener
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 27, 2005 - 12:43 am:
Just wanted to say that the cough has been gone for a couple of weeks since I changed to my own hay and cubes. I am happy. AND...the best news...the place where I board has bought good hay from the place where I bought my hay this month. So, hopefully things have been resolved. Thanks for the advice, and the great articles.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 27, 2005 - 8:02 am:
That is great Samantha.
DrO
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