The 'upper' respiratory system of the horse includes the nose and nasal cavities, larynx and trachea. Lung capacity is approximately equivalent to that of humans (50L capacity) but 1.6 times greater than that of cattle. Similarly, while the respiratory frequency is comparable to that of humans (8 to 12 movements / minute); resting ventilation is 1.5 times higher than that of humans.

Its morphology (a very long and narrow trachea) associated with the fact that the horse cannot breathe through the mouth, makes it very fragile in terms of breathing.

Very sensitive to dust, the horse can quickly become prone to coughing problems if it lives most of the time in the stall. Beware, a simple coughing phenomenon that is repeated even occasionally is not to be taken lightly. Indeed, if it is chronic, the cough can evolve into an inflammatory irritation of the so-called deep airways, otherwise known as emphysema.

Viral and/or bacterial causes can also be the cause of respiratory fragility such as pneumonia, flu... The cornage would be rather related to a congenital malformation.

These conditions are very often accompanied by respiratory difficulties responsible for less resistance to effort on the muscular level (due to a lack of oxygen) but also a reduced capacity for recovery.

It is therefore absolutely necessary to search for a diagnosis as soon as the first symptoms appear. It should be noted that phytotherapy offers several plants that have demonstrated their effectiveness in order to participate in the hygiene of the respiratory tract (thyme, coltsfoot...) and soothe inflammation (boswellia serrata...).