Horse Respiratory Welfare and Stable Air Quality

Respiratory health is one of the most significant welfare concerns in stabled horses, with poor stable air quality from dust, ammonia, and mold spores causing equine asthma that affects approximately 14% of horses worldwide.

Key Facts

Equine asthma affects an estimated 14% of horses worldwide and is strongly linked to stable air quality
Dust from hay, bedding, and feed particles triggers airway inflammation in susceptible horses
Ammonia from urine breakdown causes respiratory irritation even before detectable odors indicate high levels
Soaking or steaming hay significantly reduces respirable dust and is recommended for horses with airway disease
Deep litter bedding systems generate more ammonia than daily cleaning practices

Welfare Considerations

Horses with equine asthma experience chronic respiratory inflammation causing coughing, reduced exercise tolerance, and breathing difficulty that significantly impairs their quality of life. The condition is primarily management-induced through exposure to dusty hay and bedding in enclosed stables, making it largely preventable through good stable management. Horses with established disease require medical management alongside environmental control. The welfare improvement from switching to haylage or steamed hay and dust-free bedding for affected horses is often dramatic and rapid.

What You Can Do

Monitor horses for signs of respiratory disease including coughing, nasal discharge, and increased breathing effort
Improve stable ventilation by maximizing airflow at eaves and ridge even in cold weather
Switch to haylage or steamed hay for horses showing respiratory disease
Use low-dust bedding alternatives including cardboard, rubber matting, or dust-extracted shavings
Consult a veterinary specialist in equine respiratory disease if management changes do not resolve symptoms