Horse Respiratory Health – Breathe Better for Peak Performance

The respiratory system plays a critical role in a horse’s athletic performance, yet it’s often overlooked until problems arise. From mild allergies to serious disorders like equine asthma or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), horse breathing problems can severely hinder a horse’s ability to perform, recover, and thrive.

This article explores the importance of respiratory health in horses, how it affects performance, common respiratory issues, and practical strategies for supporting and enhancing equine respiratory function.

Crucial for Performance

The equine respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide, a by-product of metabolism. Unlike humans, horses are obligate nasal breathers, meaning they can only breathe through their nose—not their mouth. This anatomical structure makes them more vulnerable to obstructions or inflammation within the upper airway.

At rest, a horse takes around 8–16 breaths per minute. During intense exercise, however, the respiratory rate can exceed 100 breaths per minute, and oxygen demand increases more than 30-fold. The respiratory system must respond with incredible efficiency, making it one of the most crucial systems influencing equine performance.

The Link Between Horse Lung Health and Performance

Even minor compromise in the respiratory tract can significantly affect performance, particularly in disciplines requiring sustained effort or speed. Poor respiratory health may lead to:

• Reduced oxygen uptake, impacting stamina and recovery
• Increased respiratory effort, causing fatigue
• Decreased speed and endurance
• Inconsistent performance, especially in warm or dusty conditions
• Prolonged recovery time post-exercise
• Elevated heart and respiratory rates

In performance horses, optimal respiratory health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Common Equine Respiratory Issues

Several conditions can impair respiratory efficiency and cause poor performance in horses. Below are some of the most common:

1. Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD)

Now considered part of the equine asthma spectrum, IAD typically affects younger horses in training. Symptoms are subtle: occasional coughing, nasal discharge, or inconsistent performance. Airway inflammation in horses may go undetected for months.

2. Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)

Also known as “heaves,” RAO is a chronic, allergic-based respiratory condition similar to human asthma. Common in older horses, RAO is often triggered by dusty hay, poor ventilation, or mold spores.

3. Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH)

EIPH occurs when capillaries in the lungs rupture during intense exertion, causing blood to enter the airways. It's especially common in racehorses and eventers, often going unnoticed without endoscopy.

4. Respiratory Tract Infections

Bacterial and viral infections (e.g. equine influenza, strangles, equine herpesvirus EHV) can disrupt training and compromise long-term lung health.

5. Upper Airway Obstructions

Structural abnormalities like laryngeal hemiplegia (“roaring”) or dorsal displacement of the soft palate can physically block airflow and affect breathing efficiency during exercise.

Signs of Respiratory Problems in Horses

Horses are stoic animals. They may continue working despite discomfort, making subtle signs of respiratory distress easy to miss. Be alert for:

• Persistent or dry coughing, especially during or after exercise
• Nasal discharge (clear, white, or yellow)
• Flared nostrils at rest or mild exertion
• Laboured or noisy breathing
• Extended recovery time after exertion
• Poor performance or reduced stamina
• A “flat” or inconsistent competition record
• Reluctance to move forward

Early detection and proactive management can prevent mild respiratory irritation from developing into chronic conditions.

Environmental Impact on Respiratory Health

Horses spend a significant amount of time in stables, where air quality can be surprisingly poor. Dust, mold spores, ammonia from urine, and poor ventilation contribute to chronic airway irritation.

Key culprits include:

• Dry, dusty hay
• Straw bedding
• Poor ventilation in barns or lorries
• Mold or fungal contamination
• Construction dust
• Ammonia build-up from soiled bedding

Improving the stable environment is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to support horse health. Top tips include:

1. Optimise Stable Ventilation

Good airflow reduces airborne dust and ammonia. Keep stable windows open where possible, and avoid sealing up barns too tightly in winter. Fresh air for stabled horses is one of the easiest and most important things you can do for lung health.

2. Choose Low-Dust Bedding

The best bedding for horses with allergies or respiratory issues is low dust or dust extracted bedding. Switch from straw to dust-extracted shavings, chopped cardboard, or flax-based bedding. These alternatives are far less irritating to the airways.

3. Hay Steaming for Horses

Steaming hay significantly reduces dust and mold spores without leaching nutrients. Soaking is also effective but may cause nutrient loss and create water waste.

4. Feed from the Ground

Feeding hay at ground level helps drainage of nasal passages and promotes natural airway clearance, reducing the risk of inhaling dust from hay as they shake nets around.

5. Turn Out Regularly

Daily turnout in clean, dust-free paddocks is vital. Fresh air reduces the cumulative exposure to stable irritants.

6. Clean Stables Regularly

Remove manure and wet bedding at least once daily. Ammonia from urine is a potent respiratory irritant.

7. Avoid Sweeping When Horses Are Inside

Sweeping or using blowers stirs up dust. Always clean yards when horses are turned out or exercising (where possible).

8. Monitor Air Quality in Transport

Ensure trailers and lorries are well ventilated, and avoid hay nets near the horse’s face unless the hay is steamed or soaked.

9. Support with Respiratory Supplements

Natural supplements can help soothe and support the respiratory tract. Look for ingredients like:

• Peppermint – maintains open airways
• Licorice root (Liquorice root) – supports mucous membranes
• Vervain - aids mucus production and clearance from the body
• Echinacea – supports red blood cell count and therefore the blood’s oxygen carrying ability. Extremely important for athletic performance in horses.
• Antioxidants like Ginseng – provide immune system support for horses, aiding with recovery

10. Regular Veterinary Check-Ups

Include respiratory evaluations in your horse’s routine health checks. Endoscopy or lung function testing may be recommended if your horse is underperforming or showing subtle signs of respiratory distress.

Supporting Performance Horses: Specific Considerations

Performance horses—whether eventers, racehorses, dressage horses, or show jumpers—face increased respiratory demands. Strategies to support them include:

• Pre-competition respiratory checks – Especially in horses with previous issues
• Hydration – Dry airways are more prone to irritation. Consider offering a horse water buffet with a selection of herbs that support respiratory health to encourage your horses to drink. Always offer plain fresh water as well.
• Pre- and post-exercise cool-downs – Aid in breathing regulation and recovery
• Conditioning – Gradually increasing workload reduces strain on lungs
• Avoiding allergens – Competing in dusty indoor arenas? Consider a horse nose net during warm-up or management strategies post-event
• Travel recovery – Long journeys can stress the lungs; allow time to rest and breathe in fresh air after travel

The Role of the Gut and Nutrition

Recent research highlights the gut-lung axis—an emerging area of equine health. A healthy gut microbiome may influence respiratory immunity, particularly in horses prone to allergies or chronic inflammation.

Supplements that contain natural prebiotics and antioxidants are key, as studies have shown animals with lower diversity of their gut microbiome were more susceptible to respiratory diseases and developing asthma (Gensollen et al. 2017).

 

Supporting horses with prebiotics, probiotics, and appropriate nutrition may provide respiratory benefits, creating a more resilient immune response to allergens and irritants.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

When respiratory health has been compromised, recovery may take time. A tailored rehabilitation plan should include:

• Gradual return to work
• Environmental changes to reduce exposure to dust and allergens
• Targeted supplements to support lung function and respiratory health
• Monitoring via scope, respiratory rate tracking, and professional input

Consistency is key. Even small daily improvements in environment and management can lead to meaningful long-term gains in performance and comfort.

Conclusion: Breathe Life Into Performance

Your horse’s respiratory system is the foundation of their power, stamina, and grace. While joint health, muscle building, and hoof health often receive the spotlight, it’s the respiratory system that fuels every stride. Whether you're competing, hacking out, or training a young horse, healthy lungs are central to their wellbeing and ability to shine.

By prioritising clean air, supportive management, and proactive care, you can give your horse the advantage they need to breathe easy—and perform at their very best.