For many horse owners, hearing a small, occasional cough when their animal first starts to work does not seem like a big deal. However, it is important that owners realise that low grade inflammation in the lower respiratory tract can cause trouble long before obvious clinical signs are apparent. A mild cough with a little mucous discharge might mean only a slight irritation that would respond to a few days of rest — but it might also be a sign of more serious trouble.
Coughing is not normal if it shows up consistently at the beginning of exercise, occurs spontaneously in the barn or during feeding, is deep or productive, or reduces performance in any way. A persistent cough that lasts longer than a few weeks could be a sign of Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), a condition we have been seeing more of over the Spring and Summer months.
To learn more about IAD and your horse click here...