I recently picked up these horses from a lady who could no longer keep them. I got 4, 2 mares, 1 w/foal and a stallion. They all are great horses, very nice. 2 of them turned up sick this morning. Or so I think. The stallion is coughing quite a it and has thick white mucus in his nostrils. When he "sneezes" it shoots out in thick clumps. The 2nd mare also has this but without the cough, and she has a foal at her side. The 1st mare isn't sick. She is perfectly fine. The foal at the mares side though, he has this yellow goop in his eyes. It was really thick this morning. I used warm water to clean it out, it hasn't come back yet. But one of my other mares seemed to have gotten this as well. I'm not sure if he passed it on to her or not. I have the sick ones in small stalls outdoors [I don't have an enclosed barn] with shelter and away from the others. They haven't been sharing water with the other horses either.
Is it just a simple respiratory cold? I've heard it is common when there are sudden weather changes?
You are correct in keeping them isolated.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I would say that it is not strangles - you don't mention raised glands at all - but more likely EHV, Equine Herpes Virus.
Majority of horses carry this and when stressed, which these horses will be from their move and new surroundings, it manifests itself as snots and general under the weather.
EHV can mutate and become a very serious problem especially with brood mares as it can cause abortion. It can also in rare cases cause paralysis.
Not a lot can be done other than keeping them quiet and letting them rest and settle.
I am a horse trainer and my mother is a vet. This sounds as if it could be a case of Strangles. Are the horses running a fever? I would get a vet out asap to keep this from spreading to the rest of your horses.
the vet is who you need to talk to.
I would also question the Flu Shots. All four wouldn't have had them. Foals don't have them until they are 6 months of age.
Get the freaking vet out.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com EDIT: I don't care if they have had their flu shots. They are still sick. GET THE VET OUT
Big trouble .... do not waste any more time .... call the Vet
