A recent three-year research study showed that outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infections in horses at Standardbred race tracks occurred most often in the winter and spring seasons. Both influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1 were shown to be present in the horse population at a higher level than during summer and fall.
Protecting horses from respiratory illness
During winter and spring months, both influenza viruses and Equine Herpesvirus-1 were shown to be present in the horse population at a higher level than during summer and fall.
The herpesvirus was associated with respiratory disease particularly in the winter, but the equine influenza viruses apparently were responsible for the major epidemics of respiratory disease at the tracks in the study.
Younger horses, two or three years of age, were particularly susceptible to upper respiratory disease and showed the greatest rate of seroconversion to influenza viruses. Major outbreaks of respiratory disease occurred when the proportion of young horses which had not previously been exposed to epidemics of respiratory disease reached 30 to 40% of the population at the track.
Most horses over four years of age appeared to have developed resistance to the infections.
Since horses are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses during winter, providing plenty of ventilation in stalls and barns is very important. The ammonia build-up, mold, and dust inside barns and stables can bring on a variety of respiratory illnesses. Clean out stalls regularly to prevent build-up of waste materials
Your horse will also maintain better respiratory health if given plenty of outdoor opportunities to breathe in fresh air. Just make sure that you warm up your horse properly before riding or longeing and also cool down your horse properly.
This is a time when the horse can get a chill, moving from being very hot and sweaty, to being cold. The following procedures form an important part of sensible post-riding care during winter:
- If his ears are hot, walk him around a bit. Feel his ears again. They should be cool, not cold nor hot. Cold ears mean a cold horse.
- Dry your horse. A wet horse should be dried after riding in winter; there can be snow, rain, and sweat combining to make for a very wet horse. Take a towel in each hand and rub the towels over his coat in circular motions. Roughing the hair up will help dry it faster. If your horse is used to a blow dryer, you might consider using this as well.
- Brush off snow. Any snow that has attached to your horse (especially his legs) should be brushed off. Try to do this outside to prevent taking it indoors where it can melt and become slippery.
- Clean the hooves out and apply another layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to the hooves.
- Brush or curry your horse once he is dry. This will separate the hairs and help to keep him warm, as body heat warms the air between the coat and skin.
- If adding a blanket, make sure it is a breathable blanket that allows water vapor to pass through.
- With good ventilation, plenty of fresh air, and attention to staying dry, your horse can maintain good health throughout the cold winter months.