Horse Respiratory Disease Prevention

Preventing respiratory diseases including equine asthma and infectious respiratory conditions requires proactive management of air quality, housing and vaccination programs.

Key Facts

Equine asthma affects up to 80% of performance horses exposed to dusty environments
Ammonia from poorly managed bedding is a primary respiratory irritant for stabled horses
Horses evolved as outdoor animals and stabling significantly increases respiratory disease risk
Influenza and herpesvirus respiratory infections spread rapidly through close contact at competitions
Hay is a major source of respirable dust particles — soaking or steaming reduces this significantly
Well-designed stable ventilation reduces airborne pathogen load and dust concentration

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease prevention is a fundamental welfare obligation for horse managers, as chronic respiratory conditions cause ongoing discomfort, reduce exercise tolerance and impair quality of life. The management environment created by humans — particularly stabling practices — is the primary driver of equine respiratory disease in domesticated horses. Prevention requires addressing the root causes including dust reduction in hay and bedding, ammonia control through bedding management, maximizing outdoor time and turnout, and maintaining appropriate vaccination programs. Early recognition of respiratory signs enables prompt intervention before conditions become chronic.

What You Can Do

Maximize your horse's outdoor time and turnout rather than extended stabling
Soak or steam hay to reduce respirable dust particles for horses at respiratory risk
Ensure stable ventilation is adequate — fresh air flow without cold drafts is the goal
Maintain vaccination programs against equine influenza and herpesvirus
Use low-dust bedding materials and remove soiled bedding promptly to control ammonia
Consult a veterinarian promptly if your horse shows coughing, nasal discharge or exercise intolerance