What To Do If Your Horse Has a Runny Nose

Horses may experience a runny nose for different reasons, including allergies, infection, or other underlying conditions.

Any horse of any age may get a runny nose; if you notice this symptom in your horse it’s important to have your veterinarian examine them, especially if your horse has become lethargic or stopped eating.

What Does a Horse Runny Nose Look Like?

A runny nose in horses looks similar to human runny noses. Nasal discharge can be clear, white, green/yellow, or even red depending on the underlying cause. Discharge may be unilateral (only coming from one nostril), or bilateral (meaning both nostrils are involved).

What To Do if Your Horse Has a Runny Nose

A small amount of clear nasal discharge can occasionally be normal, particularly in the spring when there are lots of allergens in the air.

But with any discharge that has gone on for more than a few days, is accompanied by other symptoms, or if the nasal discharge is very thick, your veterinarian should be called for an appointment.

If you have other horses on the property, it may be safest to keep the affected horse separated until your veterinarian can get to the root cause. This can help minimize spread of potential infections.

Call your veterinarian right away if your horse is:

• Experiencing bilateral nasal discharge

• Feverish (rectal temperature over 101.5 F)

• Lethargic

• Not eating/drinking

• Coughing

Causes of Runny Nose in Horses

Common causes of runny noses in horses include:

Allergies

Allergies are common in the spring and summer and often cause a clear to white nasal discharge. Horses typically don’t display any other respiratory symptoms but occasionally will have a cough; other possible symptoms may include hives or itching due to dust, pollen in the air, or insects.

If your horse is stabled and experiences a lot of dust build-up, wetting down the hay right before feeding may decrease allergen inhalation during mealtimes. If a horse lives in a pasture and experiences irritation, keeping them inside during the windiest parts of the day may reduce exposure.

Infection

Several types of infections can cause a runny nose in horses, including bacterial, viral, or fungal. These can affect a horse’s guttural pouch (two air-filled pouches that connect the middle ear to the throat), sinuses, or lungs (pneumonia).

Common infections that may cause nasal discharge include:

• Strangles

• Equine influenza

• Herpesvirus

• Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals

Sinusitis

Sinusitis refers to inflammation or infection of the sinuses, which are air-filled pockets in the skull. Horses have quite a few sinus cavities (six pairs). The bones that separate these pockets are very thin and can be infiltrated by disease.

One of the most common problems that may affect these pockets and lead to infection of the sinuses is a root abscess of the upper teeth. Horse teeth have very long roots, so if they become infected, this can spread to the sinus cavities and lead to a foul-smelling nasal discharge. 

Choke

Choke refers to an obstruction in the esophagus of a horse, unlike an obstruction in the airways of humans. A blockage in the esophagus leads to feed material or water coming back up the esophagus and out the mouth and nostrils.

Choke in horses typically looks like a brown or green discharge or a large amount of clear nasal discharge, especially if your horse is trying to drink repeatedly when they’re choked.

Trauma

Common causes of trauma to the head include kicks from another horse, flipping over, or accidentally smacking their head into a hard surface when startled. This often causes temporary bleeding, but if a horse’s bloody nose continues or causing a large amount of blood to expel, your veterinarian should be called right away.

In addition to trauma, hematomas or irritation of the airways such as exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) can often lead to a bloody nasal discharge in horses.

How Vets Diagnose the Cause of Runny Nose in Horses

To start their examination, your veterinarian will begin by taking your horse’s history. It’s important to know if there has been any travel lately, any new horses on the property, or changes in routine/environment which could be contributing to the runny nose.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and listen to your horse’s respiratory system. They may recommend diagnostics such as bloodwork to determine the presence and severity of infection, and a nasal swab to collect a sample of the discharge. This can then be sent to a lab for culture and other testing if needed to determine which organism is causing a potential infection.

If your horse is also having trouble eating, your vet may recommend a sedated oral exam and X-rays to check for tooth root infections.

Treating a Horse with a Snotty Nose

Depending on your horse’s diagnosis, your veterinarian may discuss a wide range of treatment options with you.

Allergies may need environmental management, soaked hay, or occasionally medications such as oral or inhaled steroids or antihistamines, like Hydroxyzine HCl Compounded Powder Apple Flavored for Horses.

Infection often requires targeted antibiotic therapy, such as Uniprim Powder for Horses, Apple Flavor. Supportive care for infections that have systemic effects may include anti-inflammatories such as Banamine (flunixin meglumine).

If your horse has a fever and decreased appetite, oral antibiotics, or occasionally antibiotics through an inhaler may be used for a more direct approach in severe cases.

Choke will require your veterinarian to sedate your horse, then pass a nasogastric tube to wash the obstruction out of the esophagus. In severe chokes, IV fluids and smooth muscle relaxers (such as oxytocin or Buscopan) may also be administered.

Sinusitis, if due to a tooth root abscess, typically requires antibiotics and extraction of the diseased tooth.

If the sinusitis is due to other infection or inflammation, occasionally a sinus flap procedure is performed to open up the infection and address it directly. The horse’s sinuses may be rinsed with saline with or without antibiotics to treat infection, using a large-bore needle and fluid set.

Nosebleeds due to trauma may require anti-inflammatories such as flunixin meglumine or occasionally steroids (such as dexamethasone) for swelling. EIPH often requires a diuretic such as furosemide to prevent bleeding during exercise.