🐴 Why Is Your Horse Coughing? Diagnosing Respiratory Issues in 2025 😷🧠

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Coughing in horses isn’t always a sign of serious illness—but it should never be ignored. In 2025, veterinarians know that coughs can signal anything from minor dust irritation to chronic asthma or life-threatening infections. Let’s explore the most common causes of equine coughing and what each type may be telling you. 🧠🐎

🔍 Common Causes of Coughing in Horses

✅ 1. Feed-Related Coughing

• 📦 Occurs during or just after eating hay or grain
• 🌾 Often related to dust, mold, or allergens in the feed
• 🧠 May be triggered by hypersensitive pharynx (throat)

These coughs are often dry and occasional. Feeding steamed or soaked hay may reduce symptoms. 🌫️

✅ 2. Environmental Allergies

• 🌬️ Coughs when entering dusty barns or being stalled
• ⚠️ Can be linked to ammonia, mold, or fungal spores

This type of chronic irritation often leads to equine asthma. 🧬

✅ 3. Summer Pasture-Associated Asthma

• 🌾 Occurs when horses are on pasture during hot, humid months
• 💨 Can worsen with pollen or grass allergen exposure

This form of asthma often improves when horses are removed from pasture. 🌳

✅ 4. Exercise-Related Coughing

• 📍 At the start of exercise: May be clearing mucus—normal if it stops quickly
• ⚠️ Persistent during work: Could indicate asthma, infection, or upper airway disorder (e.g., soft palate dysfunction)
• 💉 After exercise: May point to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH)

✅ 5. Infectious Disease

• 🧫 Look for fever, green/yellow nasal discharge
• 🥱 May also present with lethargy and decreased appetite
• 🌡️ Fever above 102.5°F strongly suggests infection like pneumonia

Unlike allergy-based asthma, infection requires prompt veterinary evaluation. 🚨

💧 Nasal Discharge Clues

Examine mucus color and consistency:

• ⚪ Clear to white: Likely allergy or non-infectious irritation
• 🟡 Yellow or green: Bacterial or fungal infection

🧠 When to Call the Vet

Call your veterinarian if your horse has:

• 🌡️ A fever over 102.5°F
• 🧪 Persistent cough lasting more than a few days
• 📉 Exercise intolerance or breathing difficulty
• 💧 Colored nasal discharge
• 🥱 Lethargy or poor appetite

❌ Avoid Unnecessary Antibiotics

Most horse owners want to start antibiotics when they hear a cough. But:

• 🦠 Viral and allergic coughs do NOT need antibiotics
• ⚠️ Overuse can harm beneficial gut bacteria and worsen inflammation

Always wait for your vet’s diagnosis before beginning antibiotic treatment. 🧠💊

📲 Ask A Vet for Respiratory Review

If your horse is coughing and you’re unsure of the cause, visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to get fast feedback on symptoms. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help determine if it’s asthma, infection, or something else—and get you on the right track. 💬🧬

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, coughing in horses is often manageable—but only if you know what you're treating. From dust allergies to EIPH, your horse’s cough is a clue worth investigating. Don’t guess—get the right diagnosis and breathe easier. 💨🐎

Need help diagnosing a cough? Visit AskAVet.com to clear the air 🐴😷