Bedding and the air that we breathe... Dr Jennifer Stewart CEO BVSc BSc PhD Dip BEP
Mid North Coast Equine Reproduction Centre
Factors to be considered when selecting bedding are availability, cost, cleanness (free from dust and foreign material), effect on stable air quality and on the health of horses and people – because bedding material has a major affect on air quality, dust, ammonia, bacteria and toxins in stables, stalls and arenas.
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So many bedding materials available – each with advantages and limitations. Wood-based beddings have inferior fluid and ammonia binding capacity but produce less dust. Straw pellets reduce ammonia levels and paper bedding is more absorbent and has lower aerial ammonia levels than sawdust bedding. Paper-based and wood-shaving bedding have a lower level of microbial contamination than straw and less moisture/urine accumulation than sawdust. Sawdust is less absorbent with more urine pooling on the floor and higher stable ammonia levels. Stable mattresses reduce the amount of airborne moulds. Confusing! Bedding material has been evaluated for properties such as dust production, moisture absorbency, impact upon equine behaviour and airborne contamination. Choice of bedding material is important especially for air quality and respiratory hygiene. Stables and stalls are bedded to absorb urine, moisture and gases and to increase the comfort, health and wellbeing of the horses. Good bedding creates a layer of insulation between the horse and a cold floor, pads the hard surface, prevents bruised and capped knees, elbows, hocks and hips, and helps keep horses clean. It also needs to be easy to handle and have good composting properties.
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Andrew Bennett BVSc Kempsey NSW. andrew@mvvs.net.au
DON’T BREATHE BEDDING
Air quality is affected by bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites, allergens and airborne particulate matter (APM) – the particles in air that can penetrate the respiratory system and cause harmful effects. The amount of APM in stable and arena air affects the amount of secretions in the windpipe and lungs. The aim of stable management is to keep APM as low as possible. The main sources of APM in horse stables are bedding, feed (forage and concentrated feed), hair, skin and manure – with bedding and feed the major sources. Rolling and crushing grains
SUMMER 2020
