Heaves represents the severe end of equine asthma, causing marked respiratory distress. Welfare management through comprehensive environmental modification and medication is achievable.
Heaves welfare management is fundamentally environmental. The condition is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity response to airborne organic dust — primarily from hay and bedding fungi. Eliminating or dramatically reducing dust exposure is more effective for long-term welfare than any medication. The most effective single intervention is complete removal from dry hay — replacing with soaked, steamed, or haylage alternatives. Combined with dust-free bedding and maximum outdoor time, this achieves welfare improvement that medication alone cannot match.
During acute exacerbations — when horses show labored breathing at rest — corticosteroid treatment provides rapid welfare relief. Dexamethasone or prednisolone reduce the inflammatory response and bronchoconstriction within hours. Long-acting inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone via equine aeromask) maintain control between exacerbations with fewer systemic side effects than repeated oral steroid courses.