Equine Welfare

Equine Asthma Management and Welfare

Equine asthma, including both mild-moderate (previously called RAO) and severe forms, causes significant respiratory distress and welfare compromise that can be substantially improved with environmental management.

Key Facts

Equine asthma affects up to 80% of horses in some populations when assessed by bronchoscopy
The primary trigger is respirable dust from hay and bedding in stable environments
Severe equine asthma causes visible respiratory distress at rest, including heave lines and nostril flaring
Soaking or steaming hay dramatically reduces airborne dust and significantly improves lung function
Bronchodilators and corticosteroids provide symptomatic relief but environmental management is the primary therapy

Welfare Considerations

Equine asthma is primarily a management disease - caused by conditions humans create (dusty stabling, poorly ventilated barns, dry hay) and best treated by changing those conditions. Horses with severe equine asthma struggle to breathe at rest and cannot exercise without distress. The welfare improvement from switching to steamed hay and deep-litter bedding can be dramatic within days. Medication without environmental change provides only partial and temporary relief.

What You Can Do

Soak or steam hay for any horse with respiratory signs - reduction in dust is immediate
Use rubber crumb, paper, or cardboard bedding as lower-dust alternatives to straw
Ensure good ventilation in stabling - remove internal dividers that restrict airflow if possible
Maximize turnout for horses with equine asthma - outdoor air is dramatically cleaner than stable air
Work with an equine specialist for diagnosis - BAL cytology guides treatment intensity and monitoring