Hi, I just need some help in narrowing down the reasons behind my geldings cough..
He has it a bit at our old yard but that was only while he was eating hay (soaked) which was of a not good quality. He also would cough a little bit when we rode (trotting).
We moved to another yard on Monday and he has been coming in during the day (because of the heat!).
I've heard him coughing on and off while eating hay again, though the hay is a much better quality, but I haven't been soaking it.
He's also now on a straw bed which is actually quite dusty, so perhaps this could be another cause?
Then this afternoon we went for a short ride in the school and he was coughing quite a bit quite trotting/cantering. Almost like he was trying to "hack"? hock? (sp?) up something in his throat, and later I found a little bit of mucus on his lip and on his shoulder. His nostrils were totally clear though so it definitely didn't come from there.
The fact it seems to be happening while he's eating hay and working, does this mean it's because of the hay or something virusy?
I'm just trying to get all the facts straight and do what I can incase soaking hay will solve the problem and save a vet trip.
I've been waiting for a little gap in the heatwave so he can live out (without hay of course) and then I can see how he is but I want to get this sorted now and make sure it isn't anything too serious.
What do you think?
p.s sorry this is so long!
He has it a bit at our old yard but that was only while he was eating hay (soaked) which was of a not good quality. He also would cough a little bit when we rode (trotting).
We moved to another yard on Monday and he has been coming in during the day (because of the heat!).
I've heard him coughing on and off while eating hay again, though the hay is a much better quality, but I haven't been soaking it.
He's also now on a straw bed which is actually quite dusty, so perhaps this could be another cause?
Then this afternoon we went for a short ride in the school and he was coughing quite a bit quite trotting/cantering. Almost like he was trying to "hack"? hock? (sp?) up something in his throat, and later I found a little bit of mucus on his lip and on his shoulder. His nostrils were totally clear though so it definitely didn't come from there.
The fact it seems to be happening while he's eating hay and working, does this mean it's because of the hay or something virusy?
I'm just trying to get all the facts straight and do what I can incase soaking hay will solve the problem and save a vet trip.
I've been waiting for a little gap in the heatwave so he can live out (without hay of course) and then I can see how he is but I want to get this sorted now and make sure it isn't anything too serious.
What do you think?
p.s sorry this is so long!