Snotty nose,......all the time...Ponyvet??

[Monty]

My gelding has had a snotty nose in the same nostril since 3 weeks now.It's a thick yellowy discharge, doesn't smell (yet!), and is thinking of turning light green.Sorry for the details folks!!
He seems well in every way. Should I be worried??

[ponyvet]

When I saw it last week it was just white, and only appeared when he was snorting and stressing.

Is it coming out all the time now?

There's a few diagnoses for nasal dishchare, and if it's unilateral that kind of narrows it down a bit.

Is he sneezing or coughing?

Is he still eating and drinking?

IS there any food in it?

[KarlR]

Could be a sinus infection. Zak had to have his drilled and flushed (although that could be because the previous owners left it at least 2 years without treatment).

[Monty]

Every time I go to him,his nose is mucky.When he's finished wiping it off onto my fleece, (!) it's always back next time I go into the stable,which is usually three or four times a day.He's eating and drinking and seems a very happy bunny, in every way.Had an hour's lesson on him yesterday, and he was positively glowing!! If a horse can glow!! He's not coughing or sneezing,I've paid particular attention to that,he does a fair amount of snorting.His nose starts when we try to load him and other stressful things, but then it also does when he's just in his stable too.My instinct tells me that it'll sort itself out.The exudate looks clean,i.e no grub in it, though it's not always easy to tell,as the grub around his mouth gets stuck in it too.

[ponyvet]

Aww I'm glad he was being good!! did he load ok?

I think he's probably picked up a mild rhinitis, possibly just a bit of a virus from the mare (like kids pick up colds from other kids when they get together) or he's just adjusting to new stuff in the environment. As long as he's well in himself, and not bothered I think it'll sort out too. I'd only worry if it starts to smell, get food in it - as it comes out of the nose, or any blood in it. Obvioucly if he looks sick or starts coughing or sneezing a lot that could be a problem too.

I think he's fine though. Was the lesson good then? how much did you do with him and did he do the thing again or not?