Pasture asthma is different from severe asthma, writes Cyprianna E. Swiderski, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Horses with pasture asthma often improve within hours to days of being brought into stalls and away from inhaled pasture particulates.
Although veterinarians have previously referred to pasture asthma as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heaves, pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease, and pasture-associated recurrent airway obstruction, the name “asthma” is most appropriate because affected horses exhibit clinical features of severe forms of human asthma.
Source: The Horse, October 20, 2025. Link.
Pasture asthma’s causative agent has not been identified, but evidence, pasture removal and seasonality implicate inhaled particulates from the pasture environment.”
INSIGHTS: Equine enthusiasts will relate to the asthma language shared in this article. Consider sharing the article and some local guidance as fall trail ride groups gather for events.
Image: Link.