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Young horses are at a somewhat higher risk for respiratory disease than mature horses, especially if they travel or come into contact with other horses. With immature immune systems, youngsters that are stressed by weaning, sales preparation, training, or new homes may develop infections that are costly and upset scheduled progress.

In one study conducted at the University of California-Davis, scientists examined records of 3,200 horses, mules, and donkeys that were examined because of acute infectious upper respiratory disease or neurologic disease. More than half the animals were five years old or younger, representing an age-skewed proportion of the equine population.

Horses examined in this group showed some or all of the common signs of upper respiratory illness such as nasal discharge, fever, coughing, depression, and feed refusal. Limb edema and discharge from the eyes were also seen in some of the affected horses. Muscle soreness is sometimes seen in young horses with equine herpesvirus or influenza infections, while those with strangles, a Streptococcus equiinfection, have enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and jaw area. These ailments are highly contagious, spreading rapidly through contact between sick horses and their peers.

Owners of young horses can plan management steps to protect young horses from respiratory pathogens such as equine herpesvirus-1 and 4, equine influenza virus, and S. equi. Protective vaccinations, good stable hygiene, and excellent barn and trailer ventilation are important to support and reduce stress on immune systems. Quarantining newly arriving horses, grouping pasturemates by age, and isolating any horse that shows signs of disease are all helpful in reducing the spread of respiratory and other infections.

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