Pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi is most prevalent in foals and presents as inflammation of the lungs. Horses of any age, however, can get respiratory infections that lead to pneumonia. Those with a compromised immune system are at greater risk, and transportation and choke also increase a horse’s likelihood of developing disease.

Pneumonia treatment is expensive and often involves hospitalization. Early intervention ensures the best outcome, should you or your veterinarian suspect pneumonia.

To help horse owners and breeders better understand the disease, Butterfly Network and TheHorse.com have teamed up to bring you Equine Pneumonia Awareness Week Sept. 4-9, 2022. Look for equine pneumonia educational content all week on TheHorse.com, our Facebook page and Twitter feed, and in our e-newsletters.