Heaves

[Elaine]

Hello everyone. I haven't posted in awhile, but I do have a question. For the last few months I have been looking at potential horses to buy. One mare that has found residence at the local rescue barn where I work is truely extrodinary. She is incredibly sweet, and friendly.The only problem is that she has heaves. Is heaves something I should try to avoid though? As of now, she hasn't shown any signs of heaving, but she has been dignosed with it. Could this be a reason not to buy her? She has no other problems besides that, and I will try to give her the best care I can get. Thanks

[intouch]

Heaves is a respiratory disease akin to emphysema, now known as COPD. It is often caused by dust/spores from dry hay or straw, so keeping the horse in a dust-free environment is often enough to prevent attacks. We have 2 ponies with COPD and have had no trouble with them except when someone kindly fed one of them with dry hay at a show after which she coughed all day and was unable to compete. Good management is not difficult and our two live normal lives, out as much as poss, soaked hay and paper bedding. If you like her as much as it seems, go for it!

[Dizzy]

I'm afraid I'm no help to you at all, but though heaves sounds familiar, I'm don't know what they are? Do they go by another name too?

If I was you, I think I would ask a vet, they should give an unbiased opinion. But please let me know what it is, and what the symptoms are.

Lesley

[Maci]

Dizzy- I'm not 100% sure on this, but the heaves are when your horse coughs non-stop, and has trouble breathing (too shallow or too hard). It is caused by poor feed (dry hay, allergy to some feed, etc), stuffy stable, etc. As intouch also said, it also goes by COPD.

Elaine- I agree with intouch- if you like this horse, she should be fine if you buy her, as long as she gets an airy stable, and you might have to check and change your feed.

Good Luck!
Maci :)

[Elaine]

Thanks everyone. To answer your questions; she just came to our stable, so we are trying to make the heaves go into remission. She is doing well so far.
Heaves is also known as COPD. Its the equivent of asthma. She basically has bronco-constriction. So, if dust gets into her airways, she will cough aka heaves.

[Dizzy]

Thanks everyone.

Elaine, glad she's improving, let us know what you decide.

Lesley

[Silvia]

COPD is a progressive desease - it can become worse. Also she will not be able to do hard work, and might cough in an indoor school because of the dust. There are lots of healthy horses around- I'd look at some more and take her only if you really can't find one you like as well as her.

[Edited by Silvia on 17th May 2001 at 05:05 PM]

[Maci]

This is for any horse and rider that likes to breath in oxygen rather than dust, when riding inside!

*When the indoor school gets too dry, evenly spray it with water (not too little, because it will dry up too fast, but enough so that it's even and doesn't make puddles). The water wets the dirt/sand and will make it an easier place to breath, because it won't all fly up with movement from the horse! My instructor does that for her lessons inside.

Maci :)

[judyl]

Any horse can get COPD at any time as my horse has always been on shavings and has always been fed soaked hay. She has never coughed but at certain times of year, seems to find it difficult sometimes to breathe easily. This has never stopped us doing hunter trials, show jumping or dressage so I think you should find out how bad her 'heaves' are. Shade is only out for about 5 - 6 hours a day (being a cob she is inclined to put on weight!) and is stabled for the rest of that time. She has been on ventipulmin at various times during the year and I am now trying Feedmark's Clarity to see if that helps. With Shade, it is more like asthma and it seems to be worse with the hot, close weather when even I, who don't suffer from asthma or any breathing problems, find it difficult to get enough air in my lungs.

As long as she's not coughing like mad, I would go for it. If she suits you in every other way, COPD is not a GREAT problem (as long as it's not too bad). Also, Shade's been like this for about six or so years and it's not gotten any worse - she's the same as she's always been.

Good luck and I hope she finds a wonderful home with you.

Judy

[Elaine]

Today I went to visit her. She seemed bright and alert like usual. So far she hasn't shown any signs of heaving. She is being fed on alfafa hay. The last owner NEVER soaked her hay, and only gave her grass hay. The vet is coming tomorrow, so I'm going to come and have a chat with her. She is also getting acuputure done. We will see how it goes! Thanks everyone