COPD

Equine COPD

A new landmark study showed that 88%* of horses examined suffered from Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), also known as COPD. 


One of the main causes of IAD is respirable dust and a major source of this is hay. 

How does it show itself?


In most cases it doesn't, and may go undetected. You may however see the following:

Occasional coughing

Reduced performance (e.g. reluctance to respond to aids)

Mucus from the nose



* Dauvillier J, Woort F. T, Van Erck‐Westergren E. disease (2018) Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway, Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2018;1-8

Why does it matter?


IAD and RAO can be detrimental to the horse’s comfort and can hinder performance.



How can Haygain help?


Taking steps to minimise exposure to the airborne respirable dust will undoubtedly reduce the risk of Equine Asthma. 


The dust in hay is a key cause of respiratory inflammation. Steaming hay with a Haygain hay steamer eliminates respirable dust particles, killing mould, bacteria, fungal spores and mite faeces. 


Reducing stable dust and ammonia off-gasing is also important. Haygain's ComfortStall sealed, orthopaedic flooring system reduces bedding requirements by up to 75% and being sealed and hydrophobic removes harmful ammonia gasses caused by urine.