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Horse coughs

Investigate the causes and provide targeted support for the respiratory system.

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Horse coughs: Identify the causes, improve the stable climate, support the respiratory system

If your horse is coughing, it's rarely "just the time of year." Horse coughs occur year-round – often as a result of stable air, dust, mold in the hay, ammonia, stress, or an infection. The sooner you identify the triggers, the sooner you can calm the respiratory system and protect performance, well-being, and enjoyment of training.

An acute cough can otherwise become chronic and develop into a persistent irritation. Therefore, you should rely on a clear strategy: reduce the cause, monitor the respiratory system, maintain consistent hygiene – and promptly seek veterinary attention at the first sign of warning.

Natursole zur Inhalation – Solelösung für Vernebler und Inhalator

Natural brine AnoKath

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€9,30
€9,30
Atemfit und Seuchenprävention: Inhalationsanwendung zur Unterstützung der Atemwege bei Tieren

Respiratory health and disease prevention concentrate 250ml

€159,60 / l

€39,90
€39,90
AnoKath heuSan Konzentrat – Heu desinfizieren und hygienisch behandeln
Heu desinfizieren mit AnoKath® heuSan Konzentrat – Produktflasche
AnoKath heuSan Konzentrat zur hygienischen Heubehandlung bei Lagerung und Fütterung
Heu-Hygiene: AnoKath heuSan Konzentrat zur Behandlung von Heuoberflächen
AnoKath heuSan Konzentrat – Anwendung zur Heuhygiene im Stall
AnoKath® heuSan Konzentrat – Anwendung zur Heuhygiene im Stall Prüfbericht

Hay Disinfection AnoKath® haysan concentrate

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€16,95
€16,95

Why is your horse coughing? Common causes in everyday stable life.

You often don't solve horse coughs with "a trick", but by systematically reducing the most important triggers:

  • Dust in the hay, in the bedding or on the grooming area
  • Mold spores (even invisible ones) and musty batches in roughage
  • Ammonia from damp areas, urine, poor ventilation
  • Dry stable air and irritated mucous membranes
  • Infections (e.g. in the stable community) and germ pressure on contact surfaces
  • Allergic reactions (dust, pollen, spores)
  • Stress & weakened immune system (moving stables, training break, weather changes)
  • Too little fresh air and exercise (long time in the stall)

Why the body coughs: The self-cleaning system of the airways

Your horse constantly cleans its airways: Mucus binds particles (dust, spores, pollen), and cilia transport them away – coughing and nasal discharge help with this process. When the horse is under stress, the body produces more mucus. If the mucus becomes thick, you slow down this self-cleaning process: particles remain longer, irritation increases, and inflammation can take hold. This is precisely where you need to focus your efforts: reduce the workload and gently support the respiratory system.

The biggest levers in everyday life: reducing stable climate & dust

You can often get horse cough under control faster if you work directly on the hotspots:

  • Ventilation instead of "stall standing still": More fresh air, fewer irritants
  • Eliminate damp areas consistently: Reduce ammonia sources
  • Choose low-dust bedding and clean the surrounding area regularly.
  • Keep grooming areas/tie-up points clean, avoid dust clouds
  • Design the feeding process in such a way as to stir up less dust.

Hay & feed hygiene: Mold and dust as the most common trigger

Mold isn't always visible. You can often recognize contaminated batches by a musty smell, dust clouds, damp clumps, warmth in the bale, or "nests." The following applies:

  • Dispose of any hay that is noticeably discolored (do not mix it in).
  • Store hay in a dry, airy, and elevated place (no waterlogged corners, no tightly tarpaulins)
  • Check batches regularly and immediately sort out any problematic bales.

The AnoKath concept for horses coughing: 4 building blocks for your routine

AnoKath natural brine

  • You gently moisturize the airways
  • You're dealing with thick mucus in everyday life.
  • You use them in a salt chamber or with a mask
  • You work without irritating additives.
  • You consistently maintain equipment hygiene (clean and dry mask/hose/container)

Respiratory fitness & disease prevention

  • You stabilize the stable air routine
  • You reduce odor and irritant pollution in the environment.
  • You can use it flexibly in the box, stable area or salt chamber (depending on the setup)
  • You combine it with ventilation, dust reduction, and hotspot hygiene.

AnoKath heuSan

  • You reduce mold and dust levels in hay in everyday life.
  • You save time because you work without soaking and rinsing.
  • You keep your hay management stable – especially in borderline cases (always follow the instructions for use)

AnoKath Liquid

AnoKath Liquid is used as a supplement to balance your acid-base levels when stress, training breaks, or convalescence disrupt your daily routine. It does not replace a diagnosis, but can help structure your routine.

Horse coughs

Respiratory problems don't just affect your horse during the winter stabling season, but often all year round. This quickly shows that it's not just the weather and time of year that play a role. Frequently, the horse's living conditions are the primary triggers – especially stable air, dust, and feed quality.

Bronchitis is one of the most common respiratory problems in horses. If you react too late or ignore the warning signs, an acute irritation can become a chronic problem. This not only affects the horse's well-being but often also its performance – in the worst case, leading to permanent limitations.

Horses are still often kept in stalls in stables, frequently with poor ventilation. This problem is exacerbated in winter when ventilation is reduced. At the same time, dusty hay or bedding, or the presence of mold spores, puts additional strain on their respiratory system. This not only irritates the lungs and airways but often stresses the entire system.

If you don't give your horse enough time in fresh air, you'll worsen the situation. Cleaning the stable or fluffing up hay while the horses are in their stalls creates additional irritants. Grooming also stirs up dust, hair, and dirt. Add pollen or allergens to the mix, and irritation and coughing will increase noticeably.

FAQs

Horse coughs

Why does my horse cough especially when eating hay?

You often see coughing at the hay rack when dust, mold spores, or dry air irritate the mucous membranes. Check the hay and bedding, ventilate regularly, and feed a low-dust diet. Reduce stress and keep your horse calm. If the cough persists for more than a few days, consult a veterinarian and observe for nasal discharge or fever.

When does a cough become an emergency?

You should call the vet immediately if your horse has a fever, is breathing heavily, has a significant loss of performance, appears lethargic, or has purulent nasal discharge. Recurring colic, heavy breathing, or rattling breathing sounds are also warning signs. Until the diagnosis is made, reduce dust, ventilate the area, isolate suspected cases, and keep all contact via grooming equipment strictly separated.

Does soaking or steaming hay always help?

You can reduce dust by steaming or soaking, but this won't solve every problem. If hay is moldy or musty, you should dispose of it immediately. Prolonged soaking can leach nutrients and promote bacterial growth. Instead, focus on stabilizing storage, ventilation, and feed hygiene. In borderline cases, heuSan can provide additional support, following the instructions for use.

How do you use natural brine effectively for inhalation?

You inhale natural brine as a gentle routine to moisturize your airways and loosen thick mucus. Use a mask or brine chamber, keep the exposure time moderate, and increase it gradually. Clean the mask, tubing, and container after each use and allow everything to dry completely to prevent introducing germs.

What do you do with slightly contaminated hay that has no visible mold?

You can most effectively reduce mold spores and dust by storing hay in a dry, well-ventilated, and elevated location, and by carefully inspecting each bale. Immediately discard any visibly infested or heavily musty hay. In borderline cases with mild contamination, you can use heuSan according to the instructions to noticeably improve handling in everyday stable life.

How can you improve stable air quickly and practically?

You can improve stable air quality by ventilating daily, removing wet spots, choosing low-dust bedding, and reducing ammonia sources. Regularly clean hotspots like stall fronts, waterers, and handles. Atemfit can complement your routine by stabilizing the stable air through air distribution or misting, thus reducing the level of irritants your horse experiences.