I have a 52 inch pony that I work to a wagon with another pony as a team. Currently they pull about 800lbs at long trot for 3 miles on flat ground. Grass pasture. The older pony who is not as in as good of shape as she is barely breathes hard at all when we get finished. She is heaving in her flanks and nostrils flaring. Normally it takes about a 5 mile workout to have her breathing much at all. They are both sweating about the same. My vet said that it sounds like COPD. Which really isn’t a thing with horses as much as RAO. She doesn’t cough at all. Doesn’t breathe hard other than after workout. Doesn’t have any desire to quit or stop pulling or slow to a walk even. But she has alot of heart also. My vet told me to wet her pellet feed down. But she doesnt have a problem when eating ( no cough, choking or breathing issues) so not sure what that would help. I feed Nutrena pro force fuel and not dusty at all. She is bright eyed and alert . I was wondering if anyone had experienced anything like this? I think I need to find a vet willing to scope her possibly? Maybe she is a silent bleeder? Or could it be pain related? She has no injuries as far as I can tell. Her stool seems to stay looser than the others all the time. My vet is old school and believes in doing minimal…any ideas would be helpful…
Also, Triple Crown Complete is supposed to be good for horses with breathing problems. Anyone noticed an improvement with breathing issues if switched to this feed?
