Advanced respiratory monitoring in horses uses endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage and performance testing to detect subclinical respiratory disease that may compromise welfare without obvious signs.
Advanced respiratory monitoring addresses the large proportion of horses with subclinical inflammatory airway disease whose welfare is compromised by discomfort during exercise without obvious clinical signs. The respiratory tract is in constant contact with inhaled dust and bioaerosols — environmental management that reduces this exposure is both preventive and therapeutic. Diagnostic advances including portable endoscopy and simplified BAL techniques enable assessment in field settings, making early detection more accessible. The welfare implication of undetected inflammatory airway disease is that horses are asked to perform exercise that is uncomfortable or painful without the benefit of diagnosis and appropriate management.