Equine asthma and other respiratory conditions are among the most prevalent welfare problems in stabled performance horses, with significant advances in diagnosis and management in recent years.
Equine respiratory welfare is heavily influenced by stable management decisions. Horses housed for more than 22 hours per day on dusty bedding and dry hay are at dramatically elevated risk of airway inflammation. The welfare impact of untreated equine asthma includes exercise intolerance, coughing, and chronic low-grade respiratory distress. Environmental management — dust-free bedding, soaked or steamed hay, and maximal turnout — is the most evidence-supported and cost-effective welfare intervention, often more effective than pharmacological treatment alone.