Horse Respiratory Infections and Welfare

Respiratory infections are a major cause of poor performance and suffering in horses, with management, husbandry, and biosecurity critical to prevention and welfare.

Key Facts

Equine influenza, herpesvirus, and strangles are the most common infectious respiratory pathogens in horses.
Poor ventilation in stables is a primary risk factor for respiratory disease and chronic airway inflammation.
Horses at competition venues, sales yards, and livery yards face the highest exposure risk.
Equine herpesvirus can cause neurological disease and abortion in addition to respiratory illness.
Prevention through vaccination, biosecurity, and good stable management significantly reduces incidence.

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory illness causes pain from coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing, reducing both performance and quality of life. Chronic respiratory conditions including equine asthma (heaves) cause long-term suffering when not managed. Stable management — adequate ventilation, low-dust bedding and forage, and reduced stabling time — is essential for respiratory health. Vaccination programmes for equine influenza and herpesvirus are strongly recommended and required at many competitions.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate horses against equine influenza and herpesvirus as recommended by your vet.
Ensure stables have adequate natural or mechanical ventilation to reduce ammonia and dust.
Switch to dust-extracted bedding and soaked or haylage forage for horses with airway sensitivity.
Quarantine new horses for at least 21 days before mixing with the resident herd.
Monitor horses daily for early signs of respiratory illness — nasal discharge, cough, reduced appetite.