Prevent respiratory problems in your horse

Healthy lungs are one of the most important things to be aware of while thinking about your horse’s health and well-being – especially during the winter months. Many times, dirty, poor-quality air causes respiratory disease in both the horse and owner.

Bedding – Proper bedding is one of the best things you can provide for your horse. Your bedding choices may vary by your specific location and budget, but you should always make sure it is dust and mold-free. It should also be absorbent and easy to change and dispose of. When you replace the bedding, it’s a good idea to give it about an hour to settle before bringing your horse back inside. This will help eliminate the number of dust particles that fly around in the air.

Ammonia – Ammonia is considered an irritant to horses and normally comes from their urine and feces. When horses inhale this, it can increase their mucus production and limit their ability to remove particles from their lungs. Many times, horses are subjected to ammonia when their horse stall is being mucked. For this reason, you should make sure the horse is outside as you’re cleaning.

Quality Hay – Avoid feeding hay that’s poor quality. Many times, horses are fed hay that’s dusty or moldy because it’s stored poorly and doesn’t have proper air circulation. You can remedy this problem by adding things like a barn roof vent or wall vents to your storage area. It’s also a good idea to stack your hay on wooden pallets so it’s off the ground, and arrange it in rows with gaps between the walls and the ceiling.