Equine respiratory health is significantly affected by management, with stable dust causing chronic airway disease and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) affecting performance horses.
Equine respiratory welfare is primarily a management problem - horses confined in traditional stables with hay, bedding and limited ventilation develop chronic airway inflammation that causes coughing, nasal discharge, exercise intolerance and progressive disease. The welfare impact is substantial and chronic - airway inflammation causes constant respiratory effort, reduced quality of life and progressive lung damage. Management changes that dramatically improve welfare include increased turnout, hay replacement with haylage or treated hay, dust-free bedding and better stable ventilation - changes that are inexpensive relative to their welfare benefit. EIPH in racehorses is a welfare concern that connects to racehorse welfare more broadly - horses trained at maximal intensity face physiological costs that require honest welfare assessment.