## Overview Inflammatory airway disease (IAD), now often grouped under mild equine asthma, is chronic lower-airway inflammation without infection as the primary driver. It is common in young performance horses and causes intermittent cough, excess tracheal mucus, and mildly reduced performance. Horses appear normal at rest. ## Causes Inhaled dust, pollutants, prior viral infection, or airway hyper-responsiveness. ## Diagnosis Endoscopy showing tracheal mucus, bronchoalveolar lavage cytology demonstrating inflammation, and exclusion of more severe equine asthma. ## Treatment Environmental dust reduction, inhaled or systemic corticosteroids, and bronchodilators before exercise. Antibiotics are not routinely effective. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with management. Many young horses improve as they mature if dust exposure is controlled. ## Prevention Minimize airborne dust and mold in the stable environment.
intermittent cough; excess tracheal mucus; mildly reduced performance; normal at rest
## Overview Inflammatory airway disease (IAD), now often grouped under mild equine asthma, is chronic lower-airway inflammation without infection as the primary driver. It is common in young performance horses and causes intermittent cough, excess tracheal mucus, and mildly reduced performance. Horses appear normal at rest. ## Causes Inhaled dust, pollutants, prior viral infection, or airway hyper-responsiveness. ## Diagnosis Endoscopy showing tracheal mucus, bronchoalveolar lavage cytology demonstrating inflammation, and exclusion of more severe equine asthma. ## Treatment Environmental dust reduction, inhaled or systemic corticosteroids, and bronchodilators before exercise. Antibiotics are not routinely effective. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with management. Many young horses improve as they mature if dust exposure is controlled. ## Prevention Minimize airborne dust and mold in the stable environment.
intermittent cough; excess tracheal mucus; mildly reduced performance; normal at rest