Definition

Noun 1. A chronic respiratory disease in horses: "Heaves" is a common term for a specific, chronic lung condition in horses, formally known as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). It is similar to asthma in humans and is characterized by difficulty breathing, especially during exhalation, and a visible, labored heaving of the abdominal and flank muscles.

Usage

• "Heaves" is used as a singular noun when referring to the disease as a condition.
• It is primarily used in veterinary and equestrian contexts.

Examples

• The old draft horse was retired from work because it developed heaves.
• Managing a horse with heaves involves providing dust-free forage and a well-ventilated stable.
• The veterinarian diagnosed the coughing and nasal discharge as a symptom of heaves.

Advanced Usage

• "Broken wind": This is an older, synonymous term for "heaves."
  • The farmer referred to the horse's condition as broken wind.

Variants and Related Words

• Heave (verb): To lift or haul with great effort; to rise and fall rhythmically. This is the action from which the disease gets its name, describing the visible effort of the horse's flanks.
  • The horse's sides would heave after even mild exercise.
• Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO): The formal, veterinary medical term for "heaves."
• Equine Asthma: A modern term increasingly used to describe the same condition.

Synonyms

• Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)
• Equine Asthma
• Broken wind (archaic)

Notes on Meaning

• Important Distinction: In general English, the word "heaves" can be the plural form of the noun "heave" (meaning an act of heaving) or the third-person singular present tense of the verb "to heave." However, when used as a singular noun in the context of animal health, it specifically refers to this equine respiratory disease.
  • General use (plural noun): After lifting the heavy box, he took a few deep heaves.
  • Equine use (singular noun): The pony is being treated for heaves.

Noun

1. a chronic emphysema of the horse that causes difficult expiration and heaving of the flanks