Equine Respiratory Disease: Managing Heaves and IAD

Inflammatory airway disease and recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) are common respiratory conditions in horses that significantly impair performance and welfare.

Key Facts

Recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) is analogous to asthma in humans
Hay dust, mold spores, and ammonia from bedding are key environmental triggers
Affected horses show exercise intolerance, coughing, nasal discharge, and dyspnea
Soaking or steaming hay dramatically reduces respirable dust particle load
Bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used for management
Housing management changes often produce as much improvement as medication

Welfare Considerations

Horses with inflammatory airway disease experience chronic discomfort and exercise limitation that significantly impairs their welfare and working capacity. Environmental management is the cornerstone of treatment: maximizing pasture turnout, using low-dust bedding such as paper or rubber matting, soaking or steaming hay, and improving stable ventilation. These changes can be transformative. Early diagnosis prevents disease progression, and affected horses should not be pushed in work beyond their respiratory capacity.

What You Can Do

Soak or steam hay for horses showing respiratory symptoms
Maximize turnout time and improve stable ventilation for horses with airway issues
Switch to low-dust bedding alternatives such as shredded paper or hemp
Work with an equine vet to assess and manage airway inflammation proactively