I start this article by saying that I am guilty of this practice as well and luckily have not had any large problems with my own horses. However, respiratory disease in horses can be a serious problem if not caught early and treated correctly. There are different kinds of infections or complications that can be causing your horse to breathe not so easy. Knowing how to prevent a problem can be as important as treating the problem.
Allergies
Hypersensitivities to allergens in the air, feed, bedding, or tack can create havoc for horses at any time of year. One clue that your horse may have an allergy is sneezing, watery eyes, coughing or hives (small to large bumps on his coat). A few tips to reduce allergens are to keep a constant feed source and know exactly what your horse is eating. Check your hay and grain for signs of mold and dust. If you find moldy feed, get rid of it immediately. If hay appears to be in good condition but dusty, wetting or soaking the hay in water before feeding can minimize effects. Wood shavings seem to be a significant cause of allergic reaction in horses. When bedding with shavings, especially small sized particle shavings, always wet down to decrease dust, even in your trailer or switch to a larger sized wood shaving. Another option that is becoming more widely available is cushioned trailer mats or straw as an alternative to shavings. Imagine yourself riding in the trailer, windows and vents open, traveling 75 mph and having 25 pounds of shaving around your legs – there is going to be some dust in the air. Treatments for allergies involve management on your part and sometimes medical therapy such as antihistamines, antibiotics, steroids, and/ or bronchodilators.
Common problems seen from long term exposure to allergens is COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or “heaves”. Treatment of these horses can be difficult and they require green pastures, dust free environments and usually long term medical therapy to keep competitive.
Viruses
Now I know that most of you are vaccinating your horses with “4-way or 5-way” vaccines. Do you know what you are vaccinating for with a 4-way or 5-way? When hauling your horse, one of the most important vaccines you can give is Influenza (Flu) and Rhinopuemonitis (equine herpes). These are usually in a 5-way or they can be given separate. I recommend vaccinating for these diseases every 60-90 days while hauling hard and to lots of different places, especially in the winter with indoor barn events. Make sure to pay special attention to young and old horses, as they are the most susceptible, just like people. Flu and Rhino are spread through the air by sneezing, nasal discharge, or by nose-to-nose contact such as being tied up to the fence next to someone else’s horse or hauling with new horses that they have never been exposed to. Your horses are just like your kids on the first day of school. They meet and sit next to lots of other kids, share germs and then bring them home to share with you and your other horses. Vaccinating is a great line of defense from getting these diseases.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs. Equine plueropneumonia or “shipping fever” is a very serious infection between the lungs and the body wall known as the pleural space and results from contamination of the lower respiratory tract with bacteria similar to those found in the nose or mouth area. Transportation of any mode, especially over long distances with no or short rest periods is the single most important predisposing factor for this disease. Even worse is when the horse’s head is tied up in the trailer during hauling. A horse’s natural ability to clear out junk from the respiratory tract comes from its ability to lower its head and graze, allowing natural clearance of foreign material. Shipping fever can be deadly and needs immediate treatment by your veterinarian. Long term antibiotics are usually indicated.
Which leads us back to our column question for this month, are we creating more respiratory disease by feeding horses in the trailer? It is safe to say that we are not helping the situation. Environmental factors do contribute to the development of respiratory disease in horses being transported. Ammonia, particulate matter from bedding and feed, carbon monoxide, temperature extremes, poor ventilation, and overcrowding all play a role in damaging airways and decreasing resistance to disease.
Taking the proper steps to minimize exposure to these risk factors is important in keeping your horse healthy and competitive throughout the season. Take home tips:
- Vaccinate horses regularly
- Wet hay and shaving in trailer when hauling
- Never tie a horse’s head while traveling long distances greater than 2 hours
- Make sure there is plenty of ventilation to keep dust at a minimum and temperatures low
- Monitor horses for any signs of illness during and after hauling
Horses should be monitored after transport for the development of respiratory disease. Signs to look for include cough, nasal discharge, fever, depression, and decreased appetite. Remember to call your veterinarian if any of these signs are observed.
For further information about this topic or others, feel free to email Dr. Mandi Holland at Mandi@csrequine.com or call CSR Equine Sports Medicine Team at 406-522-4044.
Happy Trailering