The Fall Sniffles

Even horses can be susceptible to seasonal allergies; manage this challenge with these nine strategies.

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If your otherwise healthy horse consistently flares up with coughs, sneezes, a runny nose, and heavy breathing in the fall, allergies might be to blame. Not unlike humans, horses can be sensitive to dust, mold, and other irritants in their environment, and show signs of respiratory irritation. The condition and reaction ranges from some irritation to allergies to seasonal asthma, which is a type of asthma triggered by allergens that appear at certain times of year.

The symptoms aren't only just a nuisance or slightly uncomfortable, as they are when you experience them, but they also impact performance. If you're showing or would simply like to take your horse out to the trail before the weather takes a turn, his allergy symptoms can put a damper on your plans. Given that horses' environments are inherently dusty and that even high-quality hay is susceptible to low-level mold, completely eliminating respiratory irritants is out of the question. However, there are some steps you can take to manage their exposure and keep them comfortable and nearly symptom free.