A HORSE struggling to breathe is very alarming. The problem can seem to happen very suddenly and is often characterised by one or more of the following signs:
- Laboured or rapid breathing while at rest (usually anything over 20 breaths per minute would be considered elevated)
- Flared nostrils
- Persistent coughing
- Noise such as grunting associated with breathing
- Headshaking or abnormally low or extended head carriage
By the time a horse shows any of these signs it is likely to be distressed and may be in need of veterinary intervention to help it breathe more normally. A phone call to your vet will enable you to describe exactly what your horse is doing, and your vet can then advise you on whether they feel a visit may be necessary.
Often a prompt visit and some medication can prevent cases from deteriorating dramatically. The horse will respond to treatment more quickly than if treatment is delayed, and much distress for horse and owner is avoided.
HOW COMMON IS THE PROBLEM?
EQUICALL vets attend equine emergencies over much of the UK, and in recent years 4.2% of these have been due to breathing difficulties. Most of these will be acute episodes of equine asthma, a relatively new term encompassing inflammatory airway disease (IAD), respiratory airway obstruction (RAO) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, or “heaves”).
A study published in 2018 found an occurrence of mild to moderate asthma in 80% of racehorses so this disease process is likely to affect many more horses than we think.
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Denne historien er fra May 04, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
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Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
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The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
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Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
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Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions