Respiratory conditions like equine asthma (formerly RAO/COPD) are extremely common in stabled horses. Good stable management dramatically reduces incidence and improves welfare for affected horses.
Equine respiratory disease is one of the most common and most preventable welfare problems in stabled horses. The combination of dusty hay, deep straw bedding, and poor stable ventilation creates an environment that chronically inflames airway tissue. For mildly affected horses, management changes may be the only intervention needed; for severely affected horses, respiratory distress causes genuine suffering that limits exercise tolerance and quality of life. The management changes that protect respiratory health — outdoor turnout, dust-free forage, clean bedding, and ventilation — benefit all horses and are especially critical for those already showing signs of airway disease.