Respiratory disease is the second leading cause of reduced performance in sport horses and is largely preventable through evidence-based stable management.
Respiratory compromise in horses is a welfare issue that causes chronic discomfort and exercise intolerance. A horse that coughs repeatedly after starting work, shows nasal discharge, or breathes with increased effort is communicating respiratory distress that owners and trainers may normalize over time. The stable environment is the most modifiable risk factor — changes to bedding, hay management, and ventilation can transform respiratory health in affected horses within weeks. A welfare-centered approach treats equine asthma as a management problem first, not simply a medical one. Horses that cannot be adequately managed indoors may require full-time pasture or paddock housing to protect their respiratory health.