Every horse has an off day. Perhaps they’re not quite as forward as usual, seem to tire more quickly or take a little longer to recover after exercise. It’s easy to put these changes down to fitness, training or simply not feeling themselves.
But what if there’s something else going on?
When investigating a horse’s poor performance, respiratory health isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. Yet the lungs play a vital role in delivering the oxygen needed to fuel exercise, and even relatively subtle airway problems can affect how a horse feels and performs.
So, how can you tell whether your horse’s respiratory system might be holding them back? Here are some of the signs to look out for and the steps you can take to support their breathing.
Why respiratory health matters for performance
Horses are exceptional athletes, with a respiratory system capable of moving enormous volumes of air during exercise. Unlike humans, however, they are obligate nasal breathers, meaning they cannot breathe through their mouths to increase airflow.
As exercise intensity increases, so does the demand for oxygen. The respiratory system must work harder to move air into the lungs, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream and reach the muscles.
During intense exercise, even healthy horses can experience reduced blood oxygen levels. When inflammation, excess mucus or narrowing of the airways is also present, this can place additional demands on the respiratory system.
For horses in regular work, these changes may become apparent through reduced stamina, slower recovery or a decline in performance, sometimes before more obvious respiratory symptoms develop.
The respiratory health checklist: what should you look out for?
Not every horse with a respiratory problem will cough or show obvious signs of breathing difficulties. In some cases, changes in behaviour or performance may be the first indication that something isn’t quite right.
If you’ve noticed a difference in your horse recently, consider the following:
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Is your horse tiring more quickly?
Perhaps your horse is struggling to maintain their usual pace, becoming fatigued earlier in a schooling session or finding work that was previously comfortable more demanding.
Although reduced stamina can be associated with horse fitness issues, it may also indicate that the respiratory system isn’t functioning as efficiently as it should.
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Are they taking longer to recover?
Following exercise, your horse’s breathing rate should gradually return towards normal as their body recovers.
Fitness, temperature and workload can all influence recovery, so get to know what’s normal for your horse and speak to your vet if you notice any persistent or unexplained changes.
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Have you noticed coughing?
An occasional cough can be easy to dismiss, particularly at the beginning of exercise or when eating hay.
However, repeated coughing isn’t something that should be considered normal. It may indicate airway irritation, inflammation or excess mucus.
Pay attention to how often your horse coughs, when it happens and whether there are any obvious triggers, such as dusty forage or stabling. If coughing persists or recurs, speak to your vet.
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Does your horse seem less willing to work?
A horse that feels unusually reluctant to go forward, struggles to maintain impulsion or seems less enthusiastic about exercise may be experiencing discomfort.
While there are many possible explanations, including musculoskeletal problems, pain and training-related factors, respiratory disease should also be considered.
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Are there changes in their breathing?
Increased breathing effort, abnormal respiratory noises, changes in breathing rate or nasal discharge can all indicate a potential problem.
If your horse shows laboured breathing at rest or significant respiratory distress, seek veterinary attention without delay.
What could be affecting your horse’s breathing?
There are several respiratory conditions that can contribute to poor performance, sometimes without obvious signs of breathing problems.
Equine asthma is a common cause, with inflammation, mucus accumulation and narrowing of the lower airways potentially affecting airflow and exercise tolerance. Horses with mild to moderate asthma may show few signs at rest, with reduced performance sometimes the only indication of a problem.
Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) occurs when small blood vessels in the lungs rupture during strenuous exercise. Many affected horses show no visible bleeding from the nostrils.
Upper airway conditions, such as laryngeal dysfunction, can restrict airflow during exercise, sometimes causing abnormal respiratory noise.
If your horse is underperforming without an obvious explanation, speak to your vet. Depending on their findings, they may recommend investigations such as airway endoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to help identify the underlying cause.
Supporting your horse’s respiratory health
Whether your horse is competing regularly or simply enjoying everyday ridden work, there are practical steps you can take to reduce unnecessary respiratory challenges.
Reduce exposure to dust and airborne irritants
Use low-dust bedding and forage, maintain good stable ventilation and consider steaming or soaking hay.
Consider respiratory health during travel
Maintain good horsebox ventilation, minimise exposure to dusty forage and allow your horse opportunities to lower their head safely can help support respiratory comfort during longer journeys.
Monitor performance
Keep track of changes in stamina, recovery times and any respiratory symptoms.
This can help you spot patterns and provide useful information for your vet.
Could nebulisation help your horse’s respiratory health?
For many horses, nebulisation may form part of a wider respiratory management plan.
Nebulisers convert a liquid into a fine mist that can be inhaled. They may be used to deliver veterinary-prescribed medication for diagnosed respiratory conditions or suitable non-drug solutions such as sterile saline.
Saline nebulisation can help support airway hydration and mucus clearance, while prescribed inhaled treatments may be used to manage inflammation or other specific respiratory problems.
Want to learn more about supporting your horse’s airways? Explore our range of equine nebulisers and discover how inhaled therapies may fit into your horse’s respiratory care routine.