The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Roaring during today's workout?

2K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  TristaJean 
#1 ·
Today while I was working my 17 year old gelding at the trot, I heard him breathing strangely. It was just a walk-trot ride so I didnt test to see if he was doing it at the canter. I guess the best way to describe it is a "roar". I've heard of roaring before, but I've never heard him breathe like this before, he normally breathes fine at all gaits.I'm a little worried, but I hope I'm just over reacting. He also had some white-ish boogers in his nose. (Stuffy nose affecting his breathing?)
If anyone can help me figure out what caused this weird breathing, I'd really appreciate that piece of mind!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#2 ·
possibly sinus yuck due to pollen, dust, dryness, heat, etc? My horse recently had a weepy eye. I was in a panic over it, and when the vet came out today he literally stuffed a tube into a hole in his nose and squirted fluid up through his eye. Some nasty gunk came through! Vet stated it was just normal conjunctivitis due to the dust and allergens.

But, as with all things with horses, if you're reeeeeally concerned, give your vet a ring!
 
#3 ·
Does he have a cough?

Has he recently been sick -- like with strangles or Rhino or Flu?

When he exhales, can you see a line form near his flank as he attempts to push the air back out? This is known as a 'heave line' and is indicative of a horse with 'heaves' or a similar problem.

I would start out by wetting down his hay.

I would give him a day or two with his hay being wet down and then, I would ride him pretty hard with quite a bit of time at the lope/canter.

If he makes a loud noise as he canters, I would call a Vet, tell him about your problem and ask if he would examine him and if he can 'scope' his breathing passages if he feels it is necessary. One call or apt is much more cost effective than 2 or 3.
 
#8 ·
It almost sounds like an snore then they blow it out. It's a normal thing for them to do but if its happening excessively (which could vary with environment/horse/etc) it would be worth seeing if he has allergies. Also, if its constantly happening in one particular spot it could have something to do with the dust in your arena. Does he do it on trail, in the ring, in the paddock?
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#9 ·
Having a roarer It comes from basically everything Cherie said-
I'd say track it for a couple of weeks and at different work levels- Check out the allergin levels of the day as well- you might learn if he's allerigic to something in the air- And as always ask your vet-
My roarer came from an intense flu of which he almost died from- So if your horse is healthy and has been healthy- I doubt he is "roaring"

Good Luck and Best of Wishes!
 
#10 ·
I only have grass fields to ride in at home, and he's never done it before. He doesn't do it at competitions in arenas either.

I'm going to ride him later and see if he does it again, as well as seeing if he does it at the canter and I'll post the results.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#11 ·
I just got done riding him. He did it some at the trot, but less often. Maybe 2 or 3 times?
As for the canter, he was fine except for the first stride we took he did the "err, err, err *sneeze*" thing. We were doing quick energetic cantering and I didn't hear any abnormal breathing.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#12 ·
All of this sounds like it could just be allergies. Many cases of roaring are characterized by a partial paralysis of the horse's larynx. This usually occurs more in large horses where a nerve has been damaged to paralyze the horse's larynx. (Voicebox) Here's a site with information about roaring.

Whistling and roaring in horses

From the things that you've said I would steer away from roaring. Heaves may be a possibility, so keep an eye on this over a week or so. A horse that has heaves will often develop a distinct "heave line" of muscles on it's back.

If this persists for another week or so you should definitely give your vet a ring. If it seems to get worse, or you're just worried, call your vet. It can't hurt to be proactive when it comes to your horse's health.
Good luck and best wishes!
 
#14 ·
Don't freak yourself out too much until you see the vet. You can't really do anything until then. In general just keep watering his hay and try to keep from exposing him to high levels of dust. If he hasn't been on death's door up until now, he'll be fine until the vet can come out. Good luck and best wishes.
 
#15 ·
I researched Heaves some, and watched a few videos of horses with heaves.
Arrow doesn't have a cough, I've never heard him cough. Could it still be heaves?
He's also kept in a large field and isn't exposed to much dust
He also doesn't breathe anything like the horses in the videos I watched. He breathes very normally while resting.
He never seems to be struggling for breath, and is very active and energetic. He loves to run and has a shiny, dappled coat.
All of this is making me lean towards its just being allergies, or maybe a cold.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top