Glossary
Equine asthma.
Direct answer
Equine asthma is the umbrella term now used for chronic non-infectious inflammation of the deep airways in the horse. The term gathers several older labels and covers mild to moderate forms as well as a severe form with marked breathing effort at rest. The main triggers are inhaled organic dusts.
Assessment rests on history, clinical examination, endoscopy and cytology: it is bronchoalveolar lavage that supplies the decisive finding. A widespread misconception is that coughing must be present. Mild forms often show only reduced performance or slower recovery after work, with no abnormal breathing sounds at rest.
Comparison with people explains the name. Both species show airway hyperresponsiveness, excess mucus and remodelling of the airway wall. Human asthma, however, often begins in childhood and is frequently eosinophilic, whereas the horse typically presents an adult, environmentally driven, neutrophilic form, which is why the horse is studied as a spontaneous model.
The evidence letter
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