Inflammatory airway disease in horses is primarily a management problem preventable through dust reduction and outdoor living rather than medication alone.
Equine respiratory disease prevention welfare demonstrates that management changes provide better welfare outcomes than medication-based management of a preventable condition. Horses breathing dust and mold spores chronically develop airway inflammation that causes chronic respiratory discomfort - not always visible but welfare-compromising nonetheless. Prevention through dust reduction costs money but eliminates the welfare problem rather than managing it. Medication treats inflammation while ongoing dust exposure continues - addressing the symptom without the cause. The welfare-optimal approach combines dust reduction management with medication only when needed for residual inflammation.