Opublikowano: 20-03-2026
Myths about Equine Respiratory Diseases
Debunk popular myths and misconceptions surrounding respiratory conditions in horses. Learn which assumptions are incorrect and how to properly protect your horse.
Respiratory problems have become one of the most common hurdles to performance and health in equestrian sports—from leisure riding to Grand Prix. However, while scientific facts and management tips evolve rapidly, old beliefs persist stubbornly. Here are eight of the most popular myths and the evidence-based reality behind them, so your horse can breathe freely again.
Myth 1: "A little coughing is normal for horses." A cough is always a warning sign. Even five days of sporadic coughing can indicate Equine Asthma or an incipient infection. Without prompt investigation, chronic inflammation develops, permanently damaging the alveoli and reducing oxygen uptake—measurable even in the resting heart rate.
Myth 2: "Good stable air is enough—feed quality isn't that important." Even in airy active stables, horses inhale up to 20 times more mold spores per kilogram of dusty hay than the World Health Organization deems acceptable for humans. Hay steaming or using high-quality, hygienically sound haylage reduces the spore load by over 90% and, according to several field studies, is the most effective single measure against Equine Asthma.
Myth 3: "Respiratory diseases only affect sport or racehorses." The largest patient group in veterinary clinics consists of leisure horses. They often spend more time in stalls and are less frequently subjected to endoscopic examinations—meaning symptoms remain undetected longer. The decisive factors are allergen load, genetic predisposition, and management, not training intensity.
Myth 4: "Antibiotics or cortisone cure everything." Bacterial secondary infections and severe inflammation require medication, but without consistent environmental management, symptoms will return. Studies show that corticosteroid administration is twice as effective in low-dust conditions compared to polluted stable air. Therapy and prevention are two sides of the same coin.
Myth 5: "Cold winter air ruins a horse's lungs." Low in irritants, moist, and full of oxygen—winter air is actually healthier than the warm, dusty stable atmosphere. The problem is not the temperature, but inhaling dry dust while working in indoor arenas or on frozen, dusty ground. Riding outdoors at -10°C poses no risk to healthy horses, provided an adequate warm-up program is followed.
Myth 6: "Herbal supplements or nose nets are sufficient as a sole solution." Icelandic moss or eucalyptus can soothe a cough, and nose nets filter out coarse particles—however, they are no substitute for a diagnosis. Only a Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) or endoscopic examination reveals whether mucus, bacteria, or allergic inflammation is present and which therapy is required.
Myth 7: "Vaccinations are unnecessary; viral infections are like human colds." Equine Influenza or Herpes cause high fever spikes and severe bronchitis, and can sideline horses for eight weeks. Because these viruses destroy the cilia in the respiratory tract, they pave the way for bacterial superinfections. Regular vaccinations not only reduce the severity of the illness but also shorten viral shedding—a benefit for the entire herd.
Myth 8: "If the horse is cough-free, management can be relaxed again." Airways regenerate slowly. Even when the stethoscope no longer reveals anything unusual, microscopic residual inflammation persists for up to three months. Only when the BAL shows low cell counts can you slowly transition back to normal hay or longer stall times—and even then, only step by step.
Conclusion: Observe, Test, Manage Those who debunk respiratory myths and instead rely on sound diagnostics, low-dust feed, good ventilation, regular vaccinations, and gradual training loads are making a sustainable investment in their horse's health and performance. The reward: steady breathing, a motivated horse, and lower veterinary costs—completely myth-free.