There are many different reasons why a horse is coughing. It can be as simple as some dust or other particle getting in their airwave, and they simply cough to remove this substance. If your horse doesn’t continue to cough, then they are completely fine. The issue is when your horse has a continual cough that won’t go away. In these cases, it is very important to find out what is causing the cough so that you can treat it as soon as possible. You should observe the environments in which your horse is coughing, how frequent, and whether it is a dry or wet cough. All of these components can help you find out what is causing your horse to cough.

The main reason why horses cough

The main reason horses cough is because of viral infection, bacterial infection, and recurrent airway obstruction.

Viral infection

If your horse is experiencing dry coughing fits, then there is a good chance they have a viral infection. This occurs when a viral infection causes inflammation in your horse’s upper respiratory system. A common viral infection in horses is influenza. This usually results in your horse having a fever.

Bacterial infection

Bacterial infections usually result in your horse having a continual wet cough. There is usually a lot of mucus involved in these coughs. The most common types of bacterial infections are bronchitis and pneumonia. Both of these infections attack your horse’s lungs. 

Recurrent Airway Obstruction

Recurrent Airway Obstruction, or RAO, occurs when your horse is continually being exposed to a foreign substance in which they are allergic to. This can be dust, mold, or any other material that transmits allergens into the air. These substances get caught in your horse’s throat. This is also sometimes called heaves. 

What can you give a horse for a cough

The three main things you can give a horse for a cough are antibiotics, steroids, and anti inflammatories. These medications will help fight off both bacterial and viral infections that have invaded your horse’s respiratory system. Your vet will prescribe the medicine depending on the diagnosis of what is causing your horse’s cough. For example, antibiotics are most often given to horses that have a fever and/or the flu.

It is also essential that you give a horse with a cough a clean environment with fresh water. Whatever is causing your horse’s cough, they will need at least a week or two of rest. This will give their body enough time to rebuild the linings of their respiratory system that were damaged. You should make sure their environment does not have a lot of dust. This means you should not store any hay near the horse. We also recommend keeping the horse isolated to keep it clean and rested. Encourage your horse to drink a lot of water, as this can help flush down foreign objects such as dust.