A horse that coughs once beside a dusty hay net presents a different situation from one that coughs through a ride, develops a fever after travelling, or suddenly has feed coming from its nose. The symptom may sound similar. The cause and urgency can be very different. Coughing in horses is a sign, not a diagnosis. It can occur with airway irritation, equine asthma, infections, pneumonia, swallowing problems, and less common conditions. Understanding the pattern helps you rec