5 winter health problems: Respiratory Conditions

By Harriet Linton

Seasonal guides

20 October 2008 09:04

With horses coming in more throughout the winter months, the Horse Trust warns this is the time of year when respiratory problems are most likely to strike.

Diseases commonly associated with stabling are hay/dust allergy and Recurrent Airway Disease (RAD), otherwise known as heaves, COPD or broken wind.
RAD is an inflammatory condition of the lower respiratory airways caused by an allergy to inhaled particles. Mucus forms in the lower airways and the airway walls thicken, disrupting air flow to the lungs. Once a horse has been affected by RAD, he is likely to be sensitive to its triggers and prone to future attacks.

Signs
Nasal discharge, an increased respiratory rate, a ‘heave line’ (a line along the flank due to the added effort of breathing out), a cough at rest that worsens with exercise and/or a wheezing breathing sound. The speed at which the signs for RAD come on can vary. Extreme cases can result in weight loss and even death.

Prevention
● Ensure your horse’s stable is well ventilated with an open top door and vents at the back, sides or front. The horse's body heat will warm the air, which will rise and leave at the high points, allowing fresh air to circulate.
● Opt for low dust beddings and avoid deep litter systems, which can encourage fungal spores to multiply and increase the ammonia levels in the stable.
● Store all bedding and muck heaps away from your horse’s living quarters to reduce dust and exposure to ammonia.
● The Horse Trust warns that this summer's long, wet spells mean hay is at risk of carrying fungal spores because it has been cured in damp, humid conditions. Soaking the hay (for no less than 20 minutes and no more than two hours) before feeding reduces the risk of the spores becoming airborne, but may also reduce the nutrient and vitamin content of the hay.
● Damp down hard feed with a small amount of water to reduce the risk of feed dust being inhaled.

Conventional treatment
Management is key and maintaining a dust-free environment is essential. Your vet may perform an endoscopy or take a cell sample from the airways to check for the presence of inflammatory cells. He may also prescribe medication, such as bronchodilators, which can help clear the airways and relax the muscle walls. Anti-inflammatories may be prescribed. 

Complementary treatment
Herbal medicine is a popular choice for treating respiratory problems, helping to protect airways, reduce inflammation, increase resistance to infection and loosen mucus. Some of these remedies can be added easily to the feed but a number of liquid preparations are also available for horses who will not take dried herbs in their food. Herbs frequently used in proprietary mixes include liquorice, marshmallow leaf, elecampane, plantain, thyme and eyebright. Echinacea should be added if your horse is especially prone to infections. Homeopathic remedies are also valuable but in this instance you should seek expert homeopathic help.

Other Winter Health problems include Mud Fever, Rain Scald, Arthritis and Thrush

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