If a horse has RAO or the Summer Heaves?

Question

Will the symptoms subside or go away in the cooler months?And can a mare who is pastured 24/7 have a better chance at healing?

Answer 1

Limit dust. So water down hay. Wash/water any oats or supplements given. Outside is good.  I would talk to a vet though about the best conditions for your horse.

Good Luck :)

Answer 2

RAO is the new name for heaves.  The major treatment is to stay out of the barn as much as possible, and soak hay before feeding it to reduce the dust.  There is more stagnant air in barns in winter so it is more likely to get worse.

RAO is recurrent airway obstruction, so I'm not sure if you actually are referring to it, or summer heaves which is from pollen and does subside in cooler months.  At any rate, outside air is superior to inside air so she is better off in pasture.

Answer 3

our cob has heaves in the summer. We think it's basically hay fever cause he seems to react to pollens and that's when he's worst.

We mainly control it through minimising dust in his environment cause that also affects him, so soaked hay, dust free bedding and good ventilation in the stable.

We also use Feel Good 30's 'easy breathing' supplement (UK) which really helps him be able to stay in work in the summer. Occasionally he needs ventopulmin for a while to get it under control.

As for turnout for helping it, if it is dust related then she will do better out, but if it's pollen related then when there is a high pollen count she would be better in.