Hay steaming dramatically reduces respirable dust and mold spores in hay, providing significant welfare benefits for horses with recurrent airway obstruction and other respiratory conditions.
Equine airway disease causes chronic suffering characterized by coughing, nasal discharge, increased breathing effort, and exercise intolerance. Horses with severe RAO show visible effort to breathe even at rest, with hypertrophied respiratory muscles creating the characteristic heave line. This represents significant welfare compromise affecting comfort, ability to exercise and play, and overall quality of life. Hay steaming is one of the most evidence-based and effective welfare interventions available, dramatically reducing the allergen burden that triggers these conditions.