The effect of stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination and equine respiratory health.

This research studied the effect of different stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination, and the respiratory health of horses. The stables used straw, peat with shavings, and crushed wood pellets as bedding materials, checking for dust and microbial contamination in the air as well as the respiratory condition of the horses.

Bedding Materials and Air Quality in Stables

• The research focused on the effect of three types of bedding materials used in stables: straw (S), peat with shavings (PS), and crushed wood pellets (CWP).
• The researchers aimed to learn how these bedding materials affected the air quality in the stable, particularly levels of dust and microbial contamination.

Measurement of Dust and Microbial Contamination

• The study measured levels of dust in the air, as well as bacterial and fungal contamination.
• The amount of dust was least with peat and shavings and most with crushed wood pellets.
• It found that bacterial contamination was highest with peat and shavings and lowest with crushed wood pellets.
• The lowest amount of fungal contamination occurred with the use of crushed wood pellets, while straw and peat with shavings had the highest levels.

Impact on Equine Respiratory Health

• In addition to the air quality assessments, the study evaluated horses’ respiratory health based on arterial blood biochemistry tests and endoscopic evaluations of the upper respiratory tract.
• The results revealed that all horses were clinically healthy irrespective of the type of bedding used.
• No particular bedding material had a clear influence on the horses’ blood biochemistry or the results of endoscopic evaluations of their respiratory tracts.
• However, it was observed that using other types of bedding material instead of straw showed improved endoscopic results.

Conclusion and Suggestions for Future Research

• The study concluded that the choice of bedding material can have a significant impact on the quality of air in a stable and subsequently on the respiratory health of the horses.
• While no clear effect on the horses’ arterial blood biochemistry or the results of endoscopic evaluations was found in relation to the type of bedding used, alternatives to straw did show better results in the endoscopic evaluations.
• This suggests that more research may be needed to determine the best alternatives to straw and how they can improve the respiratory health of horses.