Airway Inflammation in Horses

In a study of airway inflammation, researchers at Michigan State University looked at levels of neutrophils and mucus, both indicators of inflammation, in the lungs and tracheas of 26 high-level dressage or show-jumping horses.

Although the horses were considered to be in good health and showed no signs of airway problems, almost every horse had at least one measurement outside of the normal range. It is not clear from these findings whether some degree of inflammation is actually normal, or whether these horses are in the early stages of disease that may progress as they continue to work.

Follow-up studies may yield more information as well as a comparison of horses kept in barns or at pasture.