Reducing Respiratory Health Risks to Horses and Workers: A Comparison of Two Stall Bedding Materials.

Seppo Hyyppä,Susanna Särkijärvi,Markku Saastamoinen

doi:10.3390/ani5040394

Abstract

Simple SummaryIn this study, the effect of wood shavings and peat was examined on stable air quality and health of horses and stable workers. The ammonia level in the boxes in which peat was used as bedding was non-existent or very low. The respiratory symptoms in horses increased regardless of the bedding material at the beginning of the study. The health status of the horses on peat bedding returned to the initial level in the end of the trial but horses in stalls bedded with wood shavings continued to be symptomatic. The hooves of the horses in stalls with peat bedding had a better moisture content. The results suggest that peat is a better bedding material for horses and people working or visiting horse stables than wood shavings.Stable air quality and the choice of bedding material are an important health issue both in horses and people working or visiting horse stables. Risks of impaired respiratory health are those that can especially be avoided by improving air quality in the stable. The choice of bedding material is particularly important in cold climate conditions; where horses are kept most of the day and year indoors throughout their life. This study examined the effect of two bedding materials; wood shavings and peat; on stable air quality and health of horses. Ammonia and dust levels were also measured to assess conditions in the stable. Ammonia was not detected or was at very low levels (<0.25 ppm) in the boxes in which peat was used as bedding; but its concentration was clearly higher (1.5–7.0 ppm) in stalls with wood shavings as bedding. Personal measurements of workers revealed quite high ammonia exposure (5.9 ppm8h) in the boxes in which wood shavings were used; but no exposure was observed in stalls bedded with peat. The respiratory symptoms in horses increased regardless of the bedding material at the beginning of the study. The health status of the horses in the peat bedding group returned to the initial level in the end of the trial but horses bedded with wood shavings continued to be symptomatic. The hooves of the horses with peat bedding had a better moisture content than those of the horses bedded with wood shavings. The results suggest that peat is a better bedding material for horses than wood shavings regarding the health of both horses and stable workers.

Highlights

The stalls of horses are bedded to absorb urine, moisture, and gases and to increase the comfort, health, and well-being of the horses
The results suggest that peat is a better bedding material for horses than wood shavings regarding the health of both horses and stable workers
Twelve Finnhorse brood mares aged between 5 and 17 years were housed in box stables in individual stalls (3 m 3 m), divided into separate sections of the stable according to the bedding material

Summary

Introduction

The stalls of horses are bedded to absorb urine, moisture, and gases and to increase the comfort, health, and well-being of the horses. Horses in northern climatic conditions (e.g., in the Nordic countries and Canada) are exercised outdoors usually for 1 to 2 h and spend, the major part of the day (often up to 23 h) indoors. Training and racing in cold weather conditions expose the vulnerable respiratory system to health problems, increasing inflammatory cells in the lungs [1]. Respiratory disorders are common problems, and respiratory allergy is commonly diagnosed as a condition affecting the equine lung. Anecdotal reports suggest that the condition is rare in climates where animals are outside all year around but is common in climates where horses are stabled indoors [2]. Clinical signs in horses with this chronic lung disease include poor athletic performance, chronic couching, purulent nasal discharge, and difficulties in breathing [2,3]

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