18/12/2024
Maintaining clean air in the barn is crucial for your horse’s respiratory health, especially during the winter months when horses spend more time indoors. Increased exposure to airborne pollutants such as ammonia, dust, mold spores from hay and bedding, and endotoxins from manure can irritate the airways and contribute to respiratory issues.
Equine asthma is one of the most common respiratory illnesses in horses, caused by reactions to environmental stimuli. This newer umbrella term encompasses conditions previously known as inflammatory airway disease (IAD, mild to moderate asthma) and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, severe asthma or heaves). Many respiratory conditions affecting horses cause similar signs—such as nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, coughing, respiratory noise, or exercise intolerance—so it is vital for owners and veterinarians to pursue a diagnosis and create a treatment plan.
When environmental modifications are insufficient, medical therapy with corticosteroids and bronchodilators can be prescribed to improve breathing. While some airway remodeling caused by asthma can be reversed with treatment, increased smooth muscle thickness may persist, contributing to ongoing airflow obstruction.
With a proactive approach to management and treatment, horses with equine asthma can live more comfortably and perform at their best.
