Allergy, Virus or Infection? Decode Your Horse’s Summer Cough

Understand the causes of your horse’s cough and how to treat it – including natural respiratory support with Plusvital Bronc-Eze Gel.

As the summer season arrives, many horse owners begin to notice a familiar, frustrating sound: the persistent cough of an otherwise healthy horse. While coughing can occur at any time of year, summer often brings a spike in respiratory issues among horses due to a combination of environmental allergens, viral infections, or even bacterial conditions.

Understanding the cause of your horse’s cough is essential for ensuring the right treatment and management approach. Here’s how to tell the difference — and how Plusvital Bronc-Eze Gel can help support respiratory health during this challenging season.

What Causes Summer Coughs in Horses?

There are three primary culprits behind seasonal coughing in horses:

Allergies (Environmental or Respiratory)

•    Trigger: Pollens, dust, mould spores, or airborne irritants found in dry bedding and forage.
•    Symptoms: Dry, persistent cough; mild nasal discharge; increased respiratory rate during exercise; no fever.
•    Most Common In: Horses kept in dusty environments or turned out on pastures rich in flowering grasses.

Viral Infections

•    Trigger: Viruses like equine influenza or equine herpesvirus (EHV-4).
•    Symptoms: Sudden onset of coughing, fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, and loss of appetite.
•    Most Common In: Younger horses, or those recently moved or exposed to new horses (e.g., competitions or transport).

Bacterial Infections

•    Trigger: Bacteria such as Streptococcus equi (strangles) or Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
•    Symptoms: Wet, productive cough; thick nasal discharge; swollen lymph nodes; fever.
•    Most Common In: Horses under stress, with compromised immune systems, or in close quarters.

How To Tell The Difference

Accurately identifying the cause often requires a combination of observation and veterinary diagnostics. Key factors include:

•    Duration and type of cough (dry vs. productive)
•    Presence of fever (often indicates infection)
•    Nasal discharge (clear in allergies/viral; thick and yellow/green in bacterial)
•    Response to rest and management changes
•    Veterinary tests: Tracheal washes, endoscopy, or blood work may be necessary.

Treatment Options

Allergy-Related Coughs

•    Reduce exposure to dust and allergens.
•    Soak or steam hay; use dust-free bedding.
•    Consider turnout during less pollen-heavy hours (early morning or after rain).
•    Use of supplements to support respiratory function and immune response.

Viral Coughs

•    Rest and isolate affected horses to prevent spread.
•    Ensure hydration and supportive care.
•    Veterinary advice should be sought, especially if symptoms worsen.
•    Horses may also benefit from anti-inflammatory or expectorant support during recovery

Bacterial Infections

•    Require diagnosis by a vet and are typically treated with antibiotics.
•    Horses may also benefit from anti-inflammatory or expectorant support during recovery.

Other Causes To Consider

In some cases, coughing may be caused by chronic respiratory conditions like Equine Asthma (RAO), Inflammatory Airway Disease, or even lungworm infections. If your horse’s cough is persistent, recurrent, or affecting performance, it’s essential to consult your vet for a thorough diagnosis.

How Plusvital Bronc-Eze Gel Can Help

For any horse experiencing a summer cough — especially those with allergy-related or mild respiratory stress — Plusvital Bronc-Eze Gel offers a practical and palatable support solution.
•    Natural ingredients such as eucalyptus oil, honey, and liquorice root help to soothe the airways and ease irritation.
•    Targeted respiratory support aids in clearing the airways and maintaining lung function.
•    Convenient gel formulation is easy to administer, especially to fussy eaters or horses under stress.
Bronc-Eze Gel is ideal as part of a proactive approach to respiratory health, whether useduring allergy season, after travel, or during recovery from mild viral infections.

When To Call The Vet

While many summer coughs are mild and manageable, always consult a vet if your horse has a fever; shows signs of respiratory distress; stops eating or drinking; develops thick nasal discharge; cough that persists longer than 10–14 days despite management changes.

In Summary

Summer coughs in horses are often caused by seasonal allergens, viruses, or bacteria. Identifying the source is key to successful treatment. Managing the environment, ensuring good ventilation, and providing nutritional support such as Plusvital Bronc-Eze Gel can all help keep your horse breathing easy through the warmer months.