A horse’s cough – quickly dismissed as “dust in the stable” or a “mild infection“. But there is often more to it than that: Equine asthma, also known as chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB). This respiratory disease affects millions of horses worldwide and can significantly impair their quality of life.
Equine Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory airways that varies in severity. While mild forms can go unnoticed, horses with severe asthma experience intense coughing, breathing difficulty, and decreased stamina.
The most common cause of coughing in horses is hypersensitivity to dust particles in the stable. Hay, straw, bedding, but also mold spores and pollen in the stable air can irritate the horse’s sensitive airways and cause inflammation. Grass pollen in particular triggers allergies in many horses, which can exacerbate asthma.
When exposed to allergens, the immune system overreacts: the airways become inflamed, mucus production in the bronchi increases, and the muscles around the airways tighten. The result? Narrowed airways, making breathing difficult and reducing the oxygen that reaches the lungs.
If left untreated, Equine Asthma can lead to permanent lung damage. The bronchial walls thicken, lung tissue loses elasticity, and breathing remains strained.
Equine Asthma is not curable, but with the right care and management, you can minimize symptoms and help your horse lead a comfortable life.
If you suspect equine asthma, you should definitely contact your vet. They can confirm the diagnosis with various examinations such as a bronchoscopy or a lung function test and initiate appropriate treatment. Special inhalation devices, such as the Sahoma2 from Nebu-Tec, can also be used to relieve your horse’s airways.
The Happie Horse App offers many practical features to support your horse’s respiratory health:
Track how your horse reacts to different environmental factors and identify potential triggers to take preventive measures.
Monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your horse’s surroundings to reduce exposure to allergens and pollutants.
Access current and 5-day pollen forecasts.
Receive location-specific pollen data to keep your horse comfortable and healthy.
Keep an eye on the current pollen count of trees and grasses, and document the grazing times of your favorite. Take precautions to ensure your horse is in optimum health.
Track symptoms potentially linked to Equine Asthma and stay informed about your horse’s respiratory health.
Equine Asthma is a serious condition, but with the right knowledge and the support of the Happie Horse App, you can help your horse live a symptom-free life. Every horse deserves to breathe easy.
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