Equine asthma (formerly RAO/COPD) is extremely common in stabled horses. Dust reduction through appropriate bedding, forage, and ventilation dramatically improves welfare.
Equine asthma causes chronic respiratory compromise with significant welfare implications. Mild cases cause reduced exercise tolerance and persistent cough; severe cases cause respiratory distress with effort at rest. Horses stabled on deep straw beds with dry hay in poorly ventilated buildings may experience continuous respiratory challenge causing chronic inflammation and progressive airway remodelling. The condition is entirely preventable in most cases through appropriate bedding, hay management, and ventilation — management changes that cost little but require owner awareness and commitment. Horses with equine asthma that are not recognised and managed appropriately may spend years in a state of chronic respiratory discomfort that owners attribute to laziness or poor fitness.