Breathing Easy: A Guide to Improving Horse Airway Health

Breathing Easy: A Guide to Improving Horse Airway Health

Horses are athletes, and like all athletes, their respiratory health is integral to their performance and overall well-being. One of the biggest challenges in maintaining equine respiratory health is managing dust in their environment, particularly in their feed. In this blog various strategies are explored to help improve horses' airways, with a special focus on reducing dust exposure, especially from hay.

Understanding the Impact of Dust on Equine Airways

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand why dust is such a significant issue for horses. Horses have highly sensitive respiratory systems, designed to take in large volumes of air during exercise. This makes them particularly vulnerable to airborne irritants like dust, mould spores, and other particulates.

When horses inhale dust particles, several problems can occur:

1. Irritation of the airways, leading to inflammation
2. Increased mucus production
3. Coughing and wheezing
4. Reduced oxygen uptake, affecting performance
5. In severe cases, development of chronic respiratory conditions like Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) or heaves

Hay, while a crucial component of most horses' diets, is often a major source of dust in their environment. Therefore, managing hay dust is a key factor in maintaining good equine respiratory health.

Strategies for Reducing Dust in Hay

1. Soak or Steam Hay

One of the most effective methods to reduce dust in hay is to soak or steam it before feeding:

- Soaking: Submerge hay in clean water for 10-30 minutes before feeding. This can reduce respirable particles by up to 90%. 

- Steaming: Using a commercial hay steamer or a DIY setup, steam the hay for about 30-60 minutes. This method is highly effective at reducing dust and has the added benefit of killing mould and bacteria without significant nutrient loss.

2. Choose Low-Dust Hay Options

When selecting hay, opt for varieties that are naturally lower in dust:

- Look for hay that was baled at the appropriate moisture content (around 15-20%) to prevent mould growth.

- Choose hay cut earlier in the season, as it tends to be less stemmy and dusty.

3. Store Hay Properly

Proper storage can prevent hay from becoming dusty:

- Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mould growth.

- Keep hay off the ground using pallets to prevent moisture absorption.

- Consider using a hay storage system that allows you to access bales without disturbing others, minimising dust release.

4. Feed Hay at Ground Level

Feeding hay from the ground or in low haynets can help reduce the amount of dust that becomes airborne near the horse's nose:

- This position is also more natural for horses and can promote better digestion and less waste.

- Avoid hanging hay nets above the horse's head, as this can increase dust inhalation.

Creating a Low-Dust Stable Environment

While managing hay dust is important, the overall stable environment also needs to be considered. The following provides some strategies that can be implemented to reduce the overall dust in the stable environment:

1. Improve Ventilation

Good airflow is key to reducing dust accumulation:

- Ensure stables have adequate natural ventilation through windows and doors.

- Consider installing mechanical ventilation systems for barns with poor natural airflow.

- Keep doors and windows open as much as possible, weather permitting.

2. Choose Appropriate Bedding

Some types of bedding are less dusty than others:

- Paper-based or cardboard bedding is often low in dust.

- Wood shavings or pellets can be good options if they're dust-extracted.

- If using straw, look for high-quality, dust-extracted varieties.

- Consider rubber matting with minimal bedding for horses that don't tend to lie down much. Many horse owners with Walk In/Walk Out Stables are choosing to use rubber matting such as Duncan Equine Stable Rubber matting to line the inside portions of their stables, and using sand for the outside portion. 

3. Implement Dust-Reducing Cleaning Practices

The way you clean your stable can significantly affect dust levels:

- Dampen aisles before sweeping to prevent dust from becoming airborne.

- Use a vacuum designed for barns instead of sweeping when possible.

- Remove horses from the barn during major cleaning activities.

- Refrain from using blowers, especially when horses are in the barn area.

4. Manage Arena Dust

If you have an indoor or outdoor arena, dust management is equally important. The strategies outlined below can help reduce the amount of dust from arena surfaces:

- Water the arena regularly to keep dust down.

- Consider dust-reducing additives for arena footing.

- Maintain proper footing depth and consistency to minimise dust.

Additional Strategies for Promoting Airway Health

Beyond dust reduction, there are other steps you can take to support your horse's respiratory health:

1. Maximise Turnout Time

The more time horses spend outdoors, the less they're exposed to stable dust. Horse owners should aim for as much turnout time as possible, ideally 24/7 if your horse and facilities allow. Whilst cleaning (sweeping etc.) the stables, it is also important o turn out horses to minimise the amount of dust they breathe in.

2. Consider Dietary Supplements

There are some supplements may support respiratory health. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the airways.

3. Regular Exercise

Consistent, appropriate exercise can help maintain healthy airways as it helps to clear the airways of mucus and debris. Also, exercise will help to gradually build up fitness and overall respiratory function.

4. Monitor and Manage Allergies

Some horses may have specific allergies that affect their airways. If you notice that your horse has allergies it is important to work with your veterinarian to identify and manage any allergies your horse may have.

At Oakford Stockfeeds we stock a great range of supplements that may help improve your horse’s respiratory health, such as KER EO3, Kelato Pulmonaid, Spectrum Respiratory Power, Hi Form Breathe and Equine Technology Broxol (to name a few!). We also stock the Duncan Equine Rubber matting range. To view our products, simply visit us online or in-store.