Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease affecting horses worldwide. Vaccination and outbreak management are critical for both welfare and the equestrian industry.
Equine influenza causes significant suffering through high fever, severe muscle soreness, and the exhaustion of respiratory illness. The deep, rasping cough associated with EI can persist for weeks, and horses pushed back into work before full recovery risk developing chronic lower airway disease. Outbreaks also cause welfare problems through the disruption they cause to horse movement, competition, and social management. Biosecurity during outbreaks requires isolation that can cause psychological stress in social horses. Prevention through vaccination is the most effective welfare intervention, yet compliance rates remain inconsistent even among competitive horse owners despite clear evidence of vaccine efficacy.