TL;DR
- Feeding horses with heaves requires dust-free forage like steamed hay or alfalfa pellets. This reduces dust particles by 97%.
- A diet for a horse with heaves usually emphasizes omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) that help promote a normal inflammatory response.
- The best feed for horses with heaves includes complete feed or soaked hay fed at chest height.
- Equine asthma feeding minimizes grain/protein while maximizing hydration and low-starch fiber.
Managing Severe Equine Asthma: The Role of Nutrition
Heaves, now commonly referred to as severe equine asthma, is a chronic respiratory condition that requires thoughtful, day-to-day management. Feeding horses with heaves plays an important role in reducing symptoms and improving overall comfort by limiting exposure to dust, mold, and airborne irritants that can trigger breathing difficulties.
With over 40 years of experience, Med Vet Pharmaceuticals supports horses through dietary transitions with targeted nutritional solutions designed to help horses breathe easy and support long-term respiratory health.
Understanding Heaves and Dietary Triggers
Horses with heaves have airways that are highly sensitive to dust, mold, pollen, and other fine environmental particles. Common signs include coughing, nasal discharge, flared nostrils, and an increased respiratory rate even at rest. Many horses also develop visible “heave lines” along the abdomen and experience exercise intolerance, although symptoms often improve with pasture turnout.
Some common irritants:
- Mold spores, especially those found in poorly stored round bales, are a major respiratory irritant.
- Diets high in grain may also increase internal heat and the effort required for breathing.
- Feeding at ground level can further expose the respiratory system to airborne dust.
- Poor stable ventilation and dusty bedding materials.
These factors can contribute to airway inflammation and are estimated to affect up to 10–20% of mature horses.
Forage Solutions for Horses with Heaves
Care plans for horses with heaves should focus on minimizing common triggers while still providing adequate calories and fiber to support overall digestive health:
Hay Steamers
Commercial hay steamers can eliminate up to 95% of dust while preserving more vitamins compared to soaking methods.
- Many horses with heaves show noticeable respiratory improvement within 7–14 days when fed steamed hay.
- Soaking hay can also help lower dust levels, but it removes fewer particles and may leach important nutrients, such as sugars, minerals, and vitamins, which may then require supplementation.
Alfalfa Pellets
Alfalfa pellets can be a valuable alternative for horses with heaves.
- Research has also shown that alfalfa pellets offer complete nutrition without the use of long-stem hay.
- This option is particularly useful for horses with severe dust sensitivities.
Essential Nutrition for Horses with Heaves
A well-balanced diet may help support compromised respiratory tissues.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, may help manage airway inflammation through well-documented biological mechanisms.
- Common sources include flaxseed oil, fish oil, or marine algae.
MSM
- MSM has natural inflammatory properties as well as provides support to help combat free radicals when oxidative stress is present.
Limiting Protein & Carb Intake
- Protein and energy sources also require careful consideration. Moderating protein intake can help limit excess body heat production.
- Starch-free diets may reduce irritation associated with grain fermentation.
Proper hydration is equally important, as it helps thin respiratory secretions and supports easier drainage of the airways. In some cases, targeted respiratory support products can complement dietary management for equine asthma.
Feeding Practices for Equine Asthma Management
Using elevated feeding methods can enhance the effectiveness of feeding horses with heaves by minimizing the inhalation of airborne particles.
- Using hay nets at chest height or elevated feeders helps limit dust exposure when forage is disturbed at ground level.
- Studies have shown that pelleted diets combined with low-dust bedding, such as wood shavings, can reduce respirable particles by up to 50% compared with traditional hay-and-straw systems.
- Maintaining a healthy body condition is equally important, as excess weight can strain breathing and intensify respiratory discomfort.
- Caloric intake should be gradually adjusted and evaluated every 2 weeks to support optimal weight management.
- During dietary transitions, digestive support products like Bio-Shield 50B Pellets and Gastro-Plex can help stabilize the hindgut and enhance nutrient absorption.
Environmental Management Supporting Diet
Here’s how to control the allergens in your horse’s environment:
- Choose low-dust bedding: Wood shavings generate far less respirable dust than straw, which can harbor mold spores, helping to minimize airway irritation.
- Maximize turnout: Allowing your horse 20+ hours per day in well-ventilated pastures promotes natural air circulation that’s hard to replicate indoors.
- Improve barn ventilation: Installing ridge vents, keeping stall fronts open, and using ceiling fans can significantly reduce airborne particles.
- Mind feeding locations: Keep feed areas away from manure piles, hay storage, and high-traffic zones to limit exposure to irritants.
- Take feeding outdoors when possible: Feeding outside allows natural air currents to disperse dust and other airborne particles.
Also Read: All About Allergies - Med Vet Pharmaceuticals
Final Thoughts
Thoughtful feeding, combined with careful attention to nutrition and environment, can significantly help manage symptoms in horses with heaves.
Simple management strategies, such as elevated feeding, low-dust bedding, and increased pasture turnout, further support respiratory ease for horses affected by equine asthma.
Trust MedVetPharm for Your Horse's Respiratory Health
At Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals, we're passionate about high-quality equine supplements that support horse heaves, diet transitions, and optimal nutrition for horses with heaves.
Explore our full range of respiratory support products, or contact our team in Eden Prairie, MN, for personalized guidance on choosing the best feed for horses with heaves.
Call us at 833-809-4848 to get started.
FAQs
Q1. What constitutes the best feed for horses with heaves?
Ans. Ans. Omega-3 and MSM supplements, with steamed hay or alfalfa pellets may help improve overall lung function.
Q2. How do omega-3 fatty acids benefit horses with heaves?
Ans. They help support a normal inflammatory response and may help symptoms such as coughing and obstruction.
Q3. Does feeding horses with heaves eliminate the condition?
Ans. There is no “cure” for heaves, but an appropriate care routine can help manage symptoms.
Q4. Should hay be soaked or steamed for equine asthma feeding?
Ans. Steaming eliminates 97% of particles, compared to 50% with soaking, while preserving nutrients.
Q5. Why is digestive health important for nutrition for horses with heaves?
Ans. Proper hindgut function enables omega-3 fatty acid uptake, which is vital for respiratory support.
