Badger is it Heaves or Equine COPD?

I've had an extremely close relationship with this mule called Badger since 1998. We have grown together and been a part of each other's life.

Some days, I think Badger has been a more intimate part of my life than any human. He knows all of my secrets, my fears, my doubts, my hopes, my loves, and my joys.

About a month ago I noticed that I 'thought' Badger was breathing slightly higher than normal. When we did endurance together, his resting respirations were 9. After a 26 mile Limited Distance ride he vetted out with a respiration of 11.
I counted his respiration and it was slightly elevated.

Two weeks ago after our last ride ... in which I noticed that it seemed he got out of breath ... or was lazy [I didn't know] while walking up a hill, I mentioned to hubby that I thought something might be wrong with Badger. Hubby looked at Badger and shrugged, *Maybe he has a cold?*

[Follow your instincts folks!]

Two weeks ago our normal hay supply had run out and we'd bought some 'oat hay' round bales. Everyone seemed fine with it.
Yesterday after not being out with the mules for about a week because of my injury...I went up to where Badger was laying in the dirt.

I panicked. His respiration rate was so high that I could not count it! To me it screamed~~

Something in the Oat Hay and exercise set off something like an asthma attack.

This morning I called the Equine Vet Specialist in our area. At first the girl said March 25th. I said
NO
I told her in a shakey voice that my mule's respirations were higher than I could count. Elevated heart rate...no I did NOT take his temp, clear eyes, slightly pale gums....
Long story short Dr. Clay Dean decided he would see him ASAP tomorrow and was re-arranging his schedule.

I moved Badger out of the pasture with the oat hay and made a make shift electric single fence in my yard.
Tonight he ate some of his soaked hay.
I sat on the ground near him until dark.

Yes, Badger and I talked, the way we always do. He seemed sad [silly me]. He rested his head on my knees and I stroked his face while listening to his labored breathing.

I'm guessing he may have Heaves which is now known as ROA...Recurrent Obstructive Airway...

There are things we can do to make him healthier. But he'll never do endurance again [fine by me]...
Anyway I am jumping the gun.
I am frightened for my best friend.

I'll keep you updated.