Most trainers today recognise the seriousness of the threat dust and spores in the stable pose to their horses’ respiratory health.
Veterinary research has shown increasingly clearly that even minor constrictions in oxygen intake can significantly reduce performance. Studies of racehorses demonstrating sub-par performance in training but showing no symptoms of ill health have indicated that the majority were suffering from respiratory compromise.
Winning or Losing by a Nose
A horse at rest will inhale 4–6 litres of air in every breath.
A galloping horse will need to inhale approximately 30 litres a second.
Defining Airborne Dust
Horses in stables are subject to concentrations of airborne dust up to 50 times higher than outside, and poor bedding is a major source of this dust. Veterinary research has established that the largest size of particle that can become airborne and pass into a horse’s respiratory system is approximately 4 microns. Throughout production of Bedmax shavings we screen out and vacuum-extract all particles smaller than 400 microns.
“The short-term athletic ability and long-term welfare of horses are largely dependent on respiratory health and wellbeing.”
Kentucky Equine Research
