10/01/2024
Lost in translation?
As veterinarians, we often get the comment “Oh Doc, if only our horses could speak! They’d be able to tell us what’s wrong.”
Take a good look at this picture, tell us what you see - what is the horse telling you?
Let’s break it down and translate this: the horse in question feels slightly depressed and has less energy at work. He shows no other obvious signs of anything else. But you can see he is systematically soaking his hay in his drinking bin. This is a typical behaviour of horses with chronic lower airway disease or asthma. Dust and inhalable particles pose a challenge for these sensitised horses. They exacerbate inflammation and increase the horse’s discomfort, reduce his capacity to properly oxygenate. For the owner, spotting the subtle signs of lower airway disease is crucial as the horse shows nothing else: no cough, no increased respiratory rate, no nasal discharge, just exercise intolerance and hay soaking 🌬️ Early detection means better care and happier horses! Stay tuned, keep your eyes wide open and act accordingly 🏇
