Horses With Asthma – Possible Symptoms and What to Do

Equine asthma, also known as “heaves” or chronic obstructive bronchitis, is a common condition in horses. It is a chronic respiratory disease caused by inflammation of the airways.

Symptoms of Equine Asthma:

Horses with asthma show a variety of symptoms that may indicate respiratory problems. Some of the most common symptoms are:

  • Coughing: horses with asthma often cough, especially after exercise or when breathing in dusty air.
  • Breathing difficulties: Difficulty breathing is a clear sign of equine asthma. Horses may breathe faster and may have prolonged exhalation.
  • Nasal discharge: Clear or yellowish nasal discharge may indicate inflammation of the airways.
  • Decreased performance: Horses with asthma may lose performance due to their respiratory problems. They may become exhausted more quickly and show reduced endurance.
  • Changes in breathing sounds: Whistling or rattling sounds may occur during inhalation and exhalation.

What to do:

Be sure to have your horse examined by a veterinarian – an expert can definitely give you advice and support you and your horse, especially with medication.

It is important that the medication and dosage is prescribed by your vet as each horse’s individual needs can be different. An accurate diagnosis and regular veterinary care are crucial for successful treatment of equine asthma.

But you can also help your horse. For example, by ensuring a dust-free environment.

How do I create a dust-free environment for my horse?

A dust-free environment can bring your asthmatic horse a lot of relief.

Here is a checklist of things you can do:

  • Use dust-free bedding, such as flax, peat moss or wood shavings.
  • Soak the hay in water before feeding. This will bind the dust in the hay.
  • Store your horse’s hay in a well-ventilated place, this also reduces dust and spores in the air.
  • Ensure good air ventilation in the stable through open windows, doors and slits.
  • Moisten dry feed to bind dust.
  • Clean and dust your barn regularly.
  • Avoid increased exposure to places with a high allergy load.

Asthma x Happie

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Track your horse's symptoms in the Happie Horse App to keep track of the course and severity of the illness.

You can also log medications in the app,  in order to receive daily reminders.

Happie supports you and your horse's health!

Download the app and try all premium features 7 days for free!

Google Play
App Store

Matching articles

Horse rolling in the sand
Blog Articles Overall

The Equine Colic

Expert Advice: This article was written by Dr. Pedro Penha Garcia, a veterinarian with 10+ years of experience. What is an Equine Colic? A Colic is something no horse owner wants to face, but if you have horses, you’ll likely

Horse eating out of a red bowl
Blog Articles Overall

Supplements and Vitamins for Horses

Expert Advice: Kim Lina Pethahn, an independent feed consultant, wrote this article. Offering the Necessities & Avoiding Overdosages Whether your horse needs supplements at all depends on both the pre-existing conditions and the energy consumption of your horse. However, an

horse eating a poisonous plant
Blog Articles Overall

Which Plants are Poisonous for Horses?

Expert Advice: Kim Lina Pethahn, an independent feed consultant, wrote this article. Common Symptoms and What to Avoid Poisonous plants can be found all over the world and sadly horses do not always know that what they’re eating might be
Blog Articles Overall

Horses With Asthma – Possible Symptoms and What to Do

Equine asthma, also known as “heaves” or chronic obstructive bronchitis, is a common condition in horses. It is a chronic respiratory disease caused by inflammation of the airways. Symptoms of Equine Asthma: Horses with asthma show a variety of symptoms

well proportioned horse standing in forest
Blog Articles Overall

The Body Condition Score of Horses

Assessing a horse’s overall body condition The body condition score (BCS) is a subjective evaluation method used to assess a horse’s overall body condition and fat coverage. The BCS system typically uses a scale of 1 to 9, with 1