Horse people, i gotta question...

[miss_thenorth]

On the weekend, my dd took Jiggs for a ride. when she got home and we were untacking him, I noticed he had alot of white mucous discharge coming out of his left nostril. Only the one. Now, I don't know if it was stinky or not, but thought it was strange, and worht taking note of. He had a pretty good workout, with alot of trotting and cantering, and walking, for about 1 hour. (always sufficient cooldown)

I have not noticed any discharge since then. Something to look into?. If he did have an abscessed tooth, would he display some other indicators? anything else I should consider? he occasionally has a cough, but did not cough on this ride, (and hasnt coughed alot at all lately). His temperament is still wonderful, although he is being a bit of a bully to Thunder, and not letting him into the barn sometimes, which is a new behaviour for him.

 

[MsPony]

Its cold up there right? Even with sufficient warm up and warm down it could just be that standard nose discharge. It gets SUPER dry here and my thin skinner tb will get nose bleeds.

Ill forward this to my endurance mentor as well for her opinion

 

[farmerlor]

When Fiona's tooth was abscessed she was also drooling a lot mostly when she was eating but sometimes when she wasn't eating (though it's hard to find Fiona NOT eating). She also seemed to chew a lot just for the sake of chewing. We did have a QH who had allergies and she had nasal drainage though I'm betting it's not really allergy season where you are.

 

[freemotion]

The fact that it was only on one side says to me that it is likely something that he inhaled...if it was not stinky and there are no other symptoms as stated by others. I'll add head-tossing and head-shyness (new.) Watch him and see if it occurs again. He may have inhaled some hay chaff or something.

 

[patandchickens]

I would not draw any conclusions whatsoever, just keep an eye on it to see if it persists and if it stays unilateral and white, or what.

Certainly not a big deal at this point, just kind of "things that make you go hmmm" to keep an eye on.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[miss_thenorth]

Thanks! That was my original conclusion, -- to just keep an eye on it. I wasn't sure whether to make a big deal over it or not, figured you more experienced people would know better. I will watch for other behaviours that might be indicative of an abscess or whatever. Thanks!

 

[Denim Deb]

I'd be more concerned about the cough. Keep an eye on that. I know someone who had a pony that would occasionally cough, never anything serious, just a little cough. That pony developed heaves basically over night. They had to find a new home for her because there was just no way she could provide the specialized care the horse needed.

 

[patandchickens]

The horse may well have mild heaves, but it appears this is something the o.p. knows about (chronic occasional cough) so, no biggie IMO. Minor nasal discharge does often go along with heaves but is usually bilateral and occasional (e.g. with exertion or a snootful of moldy hay)

Pat

 

[miss_thenorth]

Yeah the cough has been vet checked, and we definitely keep an eye on that. he has been coughing for two years, more so in the spring, when the farmer next door sprays his fields. (we keep him locked up in the barn during that time, the only time they are locked up.) Jiggs went out for a run again yesterday, no nasal discharge at all, so it was probably me just being a fussy mom. I will definitely be keeping an eye on it. he's my big baby