Is it Heaves????

[friedegund]

A friend of mine (like myself) is getting back into horses after a 20 year abstinance.

In the spring she bought two horses, the first a three year old Gelding who has been with horses his entire life, and until she bought him he lived in an outdoor herd environment

The second a 4 year old mare (both are Quarterhorses) who had lived "alone" with no other contact with horses in years (purchased as a young filly) However, she was stabled in a come and go barn, left open 24-7 year round so she could go outdoors ion fresh air. Owner claimed she rarely was inside.

Now, while her barn was being built, she boarded both in a small stable with two other horses, one being in and out regularly going to shows (pony club) Also, she believes there may have been some moldy hay in the barn, as on hotter humid days she could smell it. The horses were turned out most days, but in at night with doors closed at times.

Within a few months, the 4 year old mare developed a cough and runny nose, vet gave antibiotics. The runny nose eventually cleared up, but cough still persists this is 4 months and running now. She has not been worked, but does cough in her stall (barn is open) and in pasture. Also, I rode her on the weekend for 10 minutes and she was coughing quite a bit.

Now, trying to remember, Heaves is more breathing hard than cough? Also, what is "stable cough?"

What do you think problem is her? Any advice much appreciated!

[farm-girl]

Heaves (also known as S.A.D) is usually heavy breathing and a slight cough. the best thing for horses suffering from this is lots of fresh air. Don't leave them in with mouldy or dusty hay. it can cause breathing problems that will stay, even after you think they are cured. my advice is gentle working, and keeping them turned out as much as possible.

[intouch]

I havnt seen heaves for years - it used to be known as "broken wind", when the horse exhales it does it in two noticable parts, like ahhhhHaaa, all the time.

[Bebe]

For me heaves always meant that the horse had COPD (Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease) now known as RAO ( recurrent airway obstruction) but also had the classic "heave line" which is basically a ridge along the side from where the stomach muscles have overdeveloped due to the double breathing (2 efforts to breathe once) that severe COPD horses have to do.

It could be that these horses now have COPD mildly, it doesn't take long to damage the lungs, unfortunately. It could also just be that the horses are still being exposed to dust which is bothering them and causing the cough. Are they still boarding at the place where they started coughing or are they somewhere else? Either way, dust could still be a factor. 24/7 turnout is the best way to combat the problem but if this isn't possible things like soaking the hay, feeding from the ground, using dust free bedding such as shavings and making sure all feed is stored away from the stables can help.

My mare started coughing badly the first winter I had her. I was boarding her at a yard where hay & straw was stored overhead which meant it was incredibly dusty. My mare was also stabled next to the indoor school which was also dusty. I managed to get rid of the cough by soaking her hay & bedding her on rubber mats and shavings but if she ever got hold of dry hay she'd start again. I moved to a new yard which is much better for her (has unlimited turnout and lovely stables which are as dust free as you'll ever find) but still had to soak hay when she came in overnight during winter. This is our 3rd full winter there and so far she's not coughing at all despite me being a bit lazy and giving her dry hay. I'm not sure if it's just waiting to come back or whether it's taken this long for her to recover but either way I'm not complaining.