coughing

[shakari]

my nedworth has had 3 weeks off and has just strated doing some lightish work again. However he seems to have developed quite a harsh,deep,throaty cough that only occurs when worked. There is no muccus coming from the mouth and only minimal clear snot coming from the nose occassionally. He seems as if he is gagging on somthing, yet we can feel no obstruction from touch. He is happy in himself otherwise, has good colour,is eating well and drinking well. Hasn't been in a stable for months and hasn't had access to hay and is on good grazing. There is no swelling. He is 4 yrs old. What could it be???:(

[ros]

I was always told not to worry too much about the odd cough provided the horse clears his nostrils afterwards - then he's just clearing his airways. If it's a dry, hollow cough and he doesn't blow his nose, I get a tad worried.

Merlin and his pal Noddy started doing some proper work not that long ago, neither having done very much in late winter for different reasons. Both started coughing now and again during exercise, and I did wonder whether it was anything to do with their hay, but Merly has certainly never had a problem with dry hay before; Noddy is supposed to be allergic to it but he started pinching Merlin's over the stable wall so we let him get on with it.

I think they both just got a bit out of condition. Both of them are far too fat and they were very unfit; now we've been riding more regularly and aren't so afraid of pushing them out of their comfort zones now and again, we haven't had a cough for ages.

Having said that, it's not a good idea to work a horse that's coughing due to any sort of illness - far too easy to break their wind - so if you're at all unsure I'd be inclined to get a vet check.