I have noticed my last few rides that my gelding seems to cough when he first starts to lope. He will cough for a couple times and then that's it, occasionally he will cough once or twice during our cool down as well. This is the only time I notice him doing this, it is while riding in the arena and he does not do it in the fields. I have breezed him and loped him in the fields as well. I have not noticed it a show, but I have only been to a couple this year so far. He doesn't always do it all the time or every ride either, so I'm kind of puzzled. Any idea's on what it may be?
If your concerned enough about it I'd go to a vet.....as much as I'd like to help I am not a vet and don't know your horses environment or evenhealth history! Good luck!
Posted 2014-06-12 10:11 AM Subject: RE: Horse Coughing
I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882 Location: MD
Do you have your horse stalled? If so what kind of bedding do you use? Is your bedding absorbing all of the ammonia smell? How is the dirt? is it watered down or dusty? when out in the pasture is there plenty of forage or is a dusty dry lot type of area? Check these things out
Could be an allergy if he's frequently in a high dust/allergen type of area. Mine does the same thing if he's just come off of the trailer or if his stall is too dusty, he'll cough when he gets out of the stall and gets moving but that's about it. I just stay very aware of if there is any phlegm or a runny nose and it's off to the vet he goes.
Horse Coughing
