FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammat...
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 799645; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.799645

Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Comparison of Two Peat Beddings, Wood Pellet, and Straw Pellet.

Abstract: The effects of bedding material on air quality are important amongst horses worldwide. Respiratory diseases, especially equine asthma, are highly prevalent with air hygiene playing a major role on the pathophysiology of these diseases. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of four bedding materials on the respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology in healthy adult horses. The study design was a prospective controlled cross-over study, and the subjects were healthy adult riding school horses ( = 32) from a single stable. Wood pellet, straw pellet, and loosely stored peat (Peat 3) were compared to peat packed in plastic-covered bales (Peat 2). Lower airway endoscopy and sampling (TW and BALF) for cytological examination were performed after each 35-day bedding period. The tracheal mucus scores ( = 0.014) and respiratory rate ( = 0.026) were higher during the straw pellet period compared to the Peat 2 period. The respiratory rate was lower during the wood pellet period compared to the Peat 2 period ( = 0.004). The TW neutrophil percentage during the straw pellet period was higher compared to the Peat 2 period ( = 0.0003). The BALF neutrophil percentage was higher during the straw pellet period ( = 0.005) and during the Peat 3 period compared to the Peat 2 period ( = 0.04). We conclude that baled peat (Peat 2) caused lower neutrophil percentages in the airway samples compared to straw pellet and loosely stored peat (Peat 3). No difference was observed between Peat 2 and wood pellet. The information gained from this study may assist veterinarians and horse owners in selecting appropriate bedding materials, especially for horses with equine asthma.
Copyright © 2021 Mönki, Saastamoinen, Karikoski, Norring, Rajamäki and Mykkänen.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-12-17 PubMed ID: 34977227PubMed Central: PMC8718510DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.799645Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the effects of four different bedding materials – wood pellet, straw pellet, loosely stored peat (Peat 3) and baled peat (Peat 2) – on respiratory health and airway inflammation in horses. The findings suggest that baled peat can reduce levels of inflammation markers compared to the other tested materials.

Study Design and Subjects

The investigators executed a prospective controlled cross-over study on 32 healthy adult riding school horses from a single stable. They aimed to compare the effects of four different types of bedding on these horses’ respiratory health.

Bedding Materials and Measurement Parameters

  • In the study, researchers focused on wood pellet, straw pellet, and loosely stored peat (Peat 3), contrasting each of these with peat packed in plastic-covered bales (Peat 2).
  • The research team assessed outcomes based on respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and the cytology of tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), indicative markers of respiratory health or inflammation.

Duration and Assessment Process

  • Each bedding type was used for a period of 35 days, after which lower airway endoscopy and sampling (TW and BALF) were performed for cytological examination.
  • The metrics like tracheal mucus scores, respiratory rate, and percentage of COPD neutrophils in TW and BALF were measured to provide insight into the effects of bedding materials on horses’ respiratory health.

Results and Implications

  • Observations showed that both tracheal mucus scores and respiratory rate were higher during the straw pellet bedding period compared to when using Peat 2. On the other hand, wood pellet bedding resulted in a lower respiratory rate compared to Peat 2.
  • The percentage of neutrophils in TW and BALF samples was highest during the straw pellet period and also significantly higher during the Peat 3 period compared to the Peat 2 period.
  • The study concluded that Peat 2 caused lower neutrophil percentages in the airway samples compared to straw pellet and Peat 3. Peat 2 and wood pellet bedding did not show any significant differences in these outcomes.
  • These findings may be of great assistance to veterinarians and horse owners in choosing suitable bedding materials to ensure the respiratory health of their horses, especially those suffering from equine asthma.

Cite This Article

APA
Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Norring M, Rajamäki M, Mykkänen A. (2021). Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Comparison of Two Peat Beddings, Wood Pellet, and Straw Pellet. Front Vet Sci, 8, 799645. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.799645

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 799645
PII: 799645

Researcher Affiliations

Mönki, Jenni
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Saastamoinen, Markku
  • Natural Resources Institute Finland, Jokioinen, Finland.
Karikoski, Ninja
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Norring, Marianna
  • Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Rajamäki, Minna
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Mykkänen, Anna
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 35 references
  1. McGorum BC, Ellison J, Cullen RT. Total and respirable airborne dust endotoxin concentrations in three equine management systems.. Equine Vet J 1998 Sep;30(5):430-4.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04514.xpubmed: 9758102google scholar: lookup
  2. Fleming K, Hessel E, Van den Weghe H. Generation of airborne particles from different bedding materials used for horse keeping.. J Equine Vet Sci (2008) 28:408–18.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.05.004google scholar: lookup
  3. Clements JM, Pirie RS. Respirable dust concentrations in equine stables. Part 2: the benefits of soaking hay and optimising the environment in a neighbouring stable.. Res Vet Sci 2007 Oct;83(2):263-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.12.003pubmed: 17467753google scholar: lookup
  4. Leclere M, Lavoie-Lamoureux A, Lavoie JP. Heaves, an asthma-like disease of horses.. Respirology 2011 Oct;16(7):1027-46.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2011.02033.xpubmed: 21824219google scholar: lookup
  5. Pirie RS, Collie DD, Dixon PM, McGorum BC. Evaluation of nebulised hay dust suspensions (HDS) for the diagnosis and investigation of heaves. 2: Effects of inhaled HDS on control and heaves horses.. Equine Vet J 2002 Jul;34(4):337-42.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776249074pubmed: 12117104google scholar: lookup
  6. Wasko AJ, Barkema HW, Nicol J, Fernandez N, Logie N, Léguillette R. Evaluation of a risk-screening questionnaire to detect equine lung inflammation: results of a large field study.. Equine Vet J 2011 Mar;43(2):145-52.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00150.xpubmed: 21592207google scholar: lookup
  7. Tan L, Ge Z, Zhou X, Li S, Li X, Tang J. Conversion of coastal wetlands, riparian wetlands, and peatlands increases greenhouse gas emissions: A global meta-analysis.. Glob Chang Biol 2020 Mar;26(3):1638-1653.
    doi: 10.1111/gcb.14933pubmed: 31755630google scholar: lookup
  8. Siegers EW, Anthonisse M, van Eerdenburg FJCM, van den Broek J, Wouters IM, Westermann CM. Effect of ionization, bedding, and feeding on air quality in a horse stable.. J Vet Intern Med 2018 May;32(3):1234-1240.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15069pmc: PMC5980306pubmed: 29485234google scholar: lookup
  9. Claußen G, Hessel E. Particulate matter in equestrian stables and riding arenas.. J Equine Vet Sci (2017) 55:60–70.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.04.004google scholar: lookup
  10. Fleming K, Hessel EF, Van den Weghe HF. Gas and particle concentrations in horse stables with individual boxes as a function of the bedding material and the mucking regimen.. J Anim Sci 2009 Nov;87(11):3805-16.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1569pubmed: 19617518google scholar: lookup
  11. Fleming K, Hessel E, Van den Weghe H. Evaluation of factors influencing the generation of ammonia in different bedding materials used for horse keeping.. J Equine Vet Sci (2008) 28:223–31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.02.008google scholar: lookup
  12. Kwiatkowska-Stenzel A, Witkowska D, Sowińska J, Stopyra A. The effect of stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination and equine respiratory health.. Res Vet Sci 2017 Dec;115:523-529.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.09.022pubmed: 28972942google scholar: lookup
  13. Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S, Hyyppä S. Reducing Respiratory Health Risks to Horses and Workers: A Comparison of Two Stall Bedding Materials.. Animals (Basel) 2015 Oct 8;5(4):965-77.
    doi: 10.3390/ani5040394pmc: PMC4693198pubmed: 26479479google scholar: lookup
  14. Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Rajamäki M, Raekallio M, Junnila J, Särkijärvi S, Norring M, Valros A, Oranen Ben Fatma S, Mykkänen A. Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Crossover Study Comparing Peat and Wood Shavings.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:656814.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.656814pmc: PMC8062776pubmed: 33898547google scholar: lookup
  15. Müller C. Fermentation patterns of small-bale silage and haylage produced as a feed for horses.. Grass Forage Sci (2005) 60:109–18.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2005.00457.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  16. Gerber V, Straub R, Marti E, Hauptman J, Herholz C, King M, Imhof A, Tahon L, Robinson NE. Endoscopic scoring of mucus quantity and quality: observer and horse variance and relationship to inflammation, mucus viscoelasticity and volume.. Equine Vet J 2004 Nov;36(7):576-82.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044864525pubmed: 15581321google scholar: lookup
  17. Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.13824pmc: PMC4913592pubmed: 26806374google scholar: lookup
  18. Greening L, Shenton V, Wilcockson K, Swanson J. Investigating duration of nocturnal ingestive and sleep behaviors of horses bedded on straw versus shavings.. J Vet Behav (2013) 8:82–6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2012.05.003google scholar: lookup
  19. Tabil L, Adapa P, Kashaninejad M. Biomass feedstock pre-processing—part 1: pre-treatment.. In: biofuel's engineering process technology. UK: Intech Open Limited; (2011).
    doi: 10.5772/17086google scholar: lookup
  20. Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Zimmerman NJ. Investigating the link between particulate exposure and airway inflammation in the horse.. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):1653-65.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12458pmc: PMC4895611pubmed: 25273818google scholar: lookup
  21. Malikides N, Hughes KJ, Hodgson DR, Hodgson JL. Comparison of tracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage in racehorses. 2. Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of neutrophil percentage.. Aust Vet J 2003 Nov;81(11):685-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb12540.xpubmed: 15086110google scholar: lookup
  22. Njuguna J, Sachse S. Measurement and sampling techniques for characterization of airborne nanoparticles released from nano-enhanced products.. In: Njuguna J, Pielichowski K, Zhu H, editors. Health and Environmental Safety of Nanomaterials. 1st ed. Kidlington: Woodhead Publishing; (2014). p. 78–111.
    doi: 10.1533/9780857096678.2.78google scholar: lookup
  23. Tissari J, Yli-Tuomi T, Raunemaa T, Tiitta P, Nuutinen J, Willman P. Fine particle emissions from milled peat production.. Boreal Env Res (2006) 11:283–93.
  24. Airaksinen S, Heiskanen ML, Heinonen-Tanski H, Laitinen J, Laitinen S, Linnainmaa M, Rautiala S. Variety in dustiness and hygiene quality of peat bedding.. Ann Agric Environ Med 2005;12(1):53-9.
    pubmed: 16028867
  25. Koivisto R. Thermal Imaging in White Peat Production's Quality Control.. Degree Programme in Sustainable Development. Forssa, Finland: Häme University of Applied Sciences. (2021).
  26. Durrling H, Ludewig F, Uhlemann J. Peat as a source of Mycobacterium avium infection for pigs.. Tierarztl Umsch (1998) 53:259–61.
  27. Holcombe SJ, Jackson C, Gerber V, Jefcoat A, Berney C, Eberhardt S, Robinson NE. Stabling is associated with airway inflammation in young Arabian horses.. Equine Vet J 2001 May;33(3):244-9.
    doi: 10.2746/042516401776249606pubmed: 11352345google scholar: lookup
  28. Hansen S, Honoré M, Riihimaki M, Pringle J, Ammentorp A, Fjeldborg J. Seasonal variation in tracheal mucous and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology for adult clinically healthy stabled horses.. J Equine Vet Sci (2018) 71:1–5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.09.001google scholar: lookup
  29. Rossi H, Virtala AM, Raekallio M, Rahkonen E, Rajamäki MM, Mykkänen A. Comparison of Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology in 154 Horses With and Without Respiratory Signs in a Referral Hospital Over 2009-2015.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:61.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00061pmc: PMC5879091pubmed: 29632867google scholar: lookup
  30. Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:450.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00450pmc: PMC7438831pubmed: 32903600google scholar: lookup
  31. Dixon CE, Bedenice D, Mazan MR. Comparison of Flowmetric Plethysmography and Forced Oscillatory Mechanics to Measure Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:511023.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.511023pmc: PMC7937713pubmed: 33693040google scholar: lookup
  32. McGorum BC, Dixon PM, Halliwell RE. Responses of horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to inhalation challenges with mould antigens.. Equine Vet J 1993 Jul;25(4):261-7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02960.xpubmed: 8354208google scholar: lookup
  33. Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Moore GE, Zimmerman NJ, Raskin RE. Environmental exposures and airway inflammation in young thoroughbred horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2014 May-Jun;28(3):918-24.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12333pmc: PMC4895475pubmed: 24773603google scholar: lookup
  34. Olave CJ, Ivester KM, Couetil LL, Kritchevsky JE, Tinkler SH, Mukhopadhyay A. Dust exposure and pulmonary inflammation in Standardbred racehorses fed dry hay or haylage: A pilot study.. Vet J 2021 May;271:105654.
    pubmed: 33840486doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105654google scholar: lookup
  35. Saastamoinen M, Jansson H. Hevosen elinympäristö.. In: Saastamoinen M, Teräväinen H, editors. Hevosen ruokinta ja hoito. Porvoo: ProAgria Maaseutukeskusten Liitto; (2007). p. 126–38.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105654google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Si W, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Ji Y, Khan MZ, Chen Y, Cheng Z, Zhuang J, Zhao X, Liu W. Characterization of Bacterial Communities in Air and Bedding Materials of Intensive Donkey Farms During Summer. Microorganisms 2025 Dec 26;14(1).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms14010053pubmed: 41597573google scholar: lookup
  2. Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Mountricha M, Lee L, Padalino B. A Literature Review on Equine Bedding: Impacts on Horse and Human Welfare, Health, and the Environment. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 5;15(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15050751pubmed: 40076033google scholar: lookup
  3. Mańkowska A, Witkowska D. The Most Common Environmental Risk Factors for Equine Asthma-A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 14;14(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14142062pubmed: 39061524google scholar: lookup
  4. Rodzyń I, Karpińska K, Bis-Wencel H, Wlazło Ł, Ossowski M, Strzelec K, Jaguszewski S, Nowakowicz-Dębek B. Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses. BMC Vet Res 2024 Feb 28;20(1):78.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03930-2pubmed: 38413934google scholar: lookup
  5. Diez de Castro E, Fernandez-Molina JM. Environmental Management of Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 30;14(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14030446pubmed: 38338089google scholar: lookup
  6. Simões J, Tilley P. Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 16;13(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13243872pubmed: 38136909google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.