Respirable dust concentrations in equine stables. Part 2: the benefits of soaking hay and optimising the environment in a neighbouring stable.

This research article investigates how soaking hay and optimizing the environment in a neighbouring stable can significantly reduce the amount of dust (respirable dust concentration or RDC) that horses inhale, thus improving the conditions for horses, especially those suffering from respiratory disease.

Primary Objective and Approach

• The objective of the research study was to examine the effect of soaking hay on RDC, a factor critical to the respiratory health of horses. Specifically, the researchers wanted to understand how long hay needs to be soaked before it can significantly reduce RDC.
• Additionally, the researchers investigated whether changes in the choice of bedding and forage in one stable could affect RDC in a neighbouring stable within a shared airspace.
• To achieve these objectives, the researchers used a real-time continuous particle monitor for the investigations.

Main Findings

• The study found that soaking hay significantly reduced the horses’ mean breathing zone RDC. This indicates that horses inhaled less dust when fed soaked hay.
• Interestingly, the research did not find any additional dust reduction benefits from soaking the hay for an extended period.
• The study also demonstrated that changes in the bedding and forage in one stable significantly reduced the RDC in a neighbouring stable sharing the same airspace. Changing from straw bedding and hay feeding to wood shavings bedding and haylage feeding resulted in a significant drop in mean and maximum background RDC in a neighbouring stable.

Implications and Significance

• Understanding the ways to reduce RDC in stables can directly contribute to the health and well-being of horses. This is especially important for horses suffering from environmental respiratory disease.
• The findings suggest that applying certain measures (like soaking hay and changing bedding materials) can significantly reduce dust levels, potentially improving the quality of life for horses and helping in the management of equine respiratory diseases.
• A critical revelation of this study is that actions taken in one stable can potentially impact the air quality in a neighbouring stable. This emphasizes the need for stable managers to consider the impacts of their management practices within a broader spatial context.