Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Respiratory Stable Air Quality

Poor stable air quality causes chronic respiratory disease in horses, and management choices including bedding and ventilation significantly affect welfare.

Key Facts

Equine asthma (formerly heaves) affects up to 80% of stabled horses to varying degrees
Dusty hay and straw bedding are the primary sources of respirable particles and spores
Steam-treating hay reduces spores by over 95% while maintaining nutritional value
Rubber matting with minimal deep litter bedding reduces dust significantly
Ventilation should provide 4-8 air changes per hour without creating cold draughts

Welfare Considerations

Horses with chronic respiratory disease experience coughing, exercise intolerance, and respiratory distress that progressively impairs quality of life. Stable air quality management is one of the most impactful welfare interventions for the majority of stabled horses.

What You Can Do

Feed soaked or steam-treated hay to horses with respiratory disease
Maximize ventilation through open stable design and regular muck removal
Use low-dust bedding alternatives like paper, cardboard, or rubber matting