About COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease This is an allergy to dust and fungal spores. The condition is also known as heaves, alveolar emphysema, broken wind and small-airway disease (Equine Asthma). Minute dust and fungal spores particularly Micropolyspora faeni and Aspergillus fumigatus which are often found in hay, can enter the air-ways when eating, causing irritation to the horse’s lungs and inflammation and narrowing of the air-ways. If this condition is not rectified it will become progressively worse and the horse’s health will deteriorate. Due to horse dietary needs we cannot stop feeding hay therefore steps have to be taken to reduce or stop as much of the dust and fungal spores inhaled as possibl.