Research done in April 1999 by DR Colin Cargill, Principal Research Veterinarian, South Australian Research and Development Institute highlights some incredibly important points regarding stabled horses and how dust can affect their wellbeing and performance.
Listed below are a few really key and interesting points from his research:
“Dust appears to enhance both the prevalence and severity of respiratory diseases, especially conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It may also aid the spread of other infections.”
“There is also evidence that inhaled airborne particles reduce the exercise tolerance of clinically normal horses.”
“Ventilation rates have a direct effect on dust levels. Increased air movement can dilute the concentration of airborne particles but may also increase re-suspension of particles and delay settling.”
“Bedding is more important than ventilation as a cause of dust. Straw, which is still the most commonly used bedding, is a major source of dust.”
“Wood shavings are more resistant to fungal growth than other plant based material.”
“Hay is the main source of the smaller fungal spores found in stable air. These spores may enter bedding and multiply if the bedding is not changed regularly.”
“Store feed and bedding in purpose-built buildings as they create dust every time they are handled.”
“In naturally ventilated buildings air is blown through the building during windy conditions but not when the air is still.” Dr Cargill also mentions that whilst ventilation is important, measures should be taken to avoid re-suspension of already settled dust.
“A minimum of four air changes/hour is required to maintain thermal and hygiene comfort, and a well designed box with the upper door open should always meet these requirements. However, natural ventilation cannot be relied upon solely to control dust problems.”
“The link between respiratory disease in animals and air quality has been reported in several studies (Donham, 1991; Massabie et al., 1991; Robertson et al., 1990; Webster et al., 1987). In stabled horses, dust associated with fungal spores and thermophilic Actinomycetes is regarded as a risk factor in the development of some chronic pulmonary diseases (McPherson and Thomson, 1983), and that other airborne particulate matter may be reducing the exercise tolerance of horses that appear clinically normal (Webster et al., 1987). Dust may also be involved in the spread of other infections, and it has been suggested that stables need to be at least 100 to 150 metres apart to prevent dust-driven disease spread between buildings (Collins and Algers, 1986).”
“In a longitudinal study of respiratory disease in racehorses, it was found that horses housed on straw in loose boxes were twice as likely to develop lower respiratory tract disease, compared with horses housed on shredded paper (Burrel et al., 1996)”
“Soaking hay for 30 minutes appears sufficient to reduce respirable particles without excessive loss of nutrients (MooreColyer, 1996)”
“Ionisation of the airspace has been found to increase the rate of dust deposition in sheds (Enache and Andrisan, 1990).”
So how can Salt Therapy help you horse with this?
When you horse breathes in the salt particles dispersed by the Newmarket machine, it helps to balance the ph levels of your horses airways, reduce inflammation that the dust has caused and helps to shift any particles/debris out of the airway by loosening mucus. So not only can it improve your horses wellbeing, it can also help performance and also recovery too.
Elite Equine Salt Therapy 