Ridecamp: Re: [RC] equine influenza

My vet told me a few years ago when my mare had similar symptoms that the 
cough was aggravated by exercise, and that there were actually little sores 
at the back of the throat with the cough.  So every time you ride before the 
cough is completely gone, which he said (and I found to be true) would last 
about 2-3 weeks, the little sores get broken open by the cough.  Which just 
makes the whole thing last longer.  I think you should at least quit riding 
until the cough is gone, even if that means missing the ride.  

Besides, how can your vet guarantee you that your horse won't be contagious 
when he is only guessing that the horse has influenza, hasn't even made a 
positive diagnosis based on lab work or anything?  Now I don't know if there 
is lab work that can diagnose a virus, but there are enough human viruses 
that get lumped under "cold" or "flu" that have different timelines that I 
sure wouldn't be willing to take a chance.   

Sometimes when people have a virus and don't rest and take care of 
themselves, it can allow a bacterial infection to get a foothold due to 
weakened resistance.  My vet says the same thing can happen to horses.  Then 
you'd be out even longer, and have even more vet bills.  

I really hope your horse is 100% by the ride, but if it were my horse, I 
wouldn't take him unless all the symptoms were gone, and he was eating like 
normal and acting like normal.  jeri

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