IGA | Keeping the dust down: prevention is better than cure

Keeping the dust down: prevention is better than cure

Welcome to Part Two of our closer look at Equine Asthma.

Look back at Part One for a look at how horses breathe, and the impact of Equine Asthma, from severe to subclinical.

Today we look at ways to minimise exposure to dust whilst at home and travelling, and how you can help your horses breathe as easily as possible.

Medication

Medical treatment of Equine Asthma involves corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Systemic treatment (injections) are becoming less popular as vets move towards nebulisers and inhalers which can deliver medication directly.

One good example is Boehringer Ingelheim’s Aservo® EquiHaler, which delivers aerosolized steroids directly into the lungs, giving more efficient relief than systemic corticosteroids.

Some riders now use nebulisers as part of their normal routine, remember you will need to check withdrawal times and/or permission from the Treating Vet to use a nebuliser during an FEI competition.

Discuss treatment with your vet. Horses with severe or moderate asthma will need medical support but if your horse suffers with mild symptoms of Equine Asthma you may want to discuss options before you set off on a long journey.

Management

Before and beyond medication the importance of managing the horse’s environment cannot be overstated.

Dust irritates and inflames the lower airways, so effectively addressing sources of dust is vital.

Think about what sources of dust they will be closest to; the cobwebs on the ceiling are ugly, but your horse won’t have their nose in them.

The concern is ‘respirable’ dust.

These are the dust spores that are small enough to get into the lower airways; a lot of the dust you can see in the stable will be trapped in the upper airways whilst the tiny particles are breathed in and out.

Firstly think about ‘what’ and ‘where’ to start.

Forage

This is one of the most obvious sources of dust – it’s important to use the best quality hay you can find.

Soaking hay is a common way to remove dust. However, this leaves you with the issue of disposing of the water and can be associated with increased bacteria and mould. Soaking also reduces the nutritional content of hay – this can be useful for managing laminitics but not a sports horse with high energy needs.
Steaming hay is the safest way to remove bacteria and dust – Haygain steamers have been found to remove 99% of respirable dust spores.
Haylage can be a good option for horses vulnerable to dust. When doing long journeys it might be safest to feed haylage on the lorry.

Bedding and stable management

Typically horses with breathing issues should not be bedded on straw but studies have found that horses bedded on straw lie down more often, which is important for proper sleep and recovery. In addition good quality straw can actually be lower in bacteria and mould than some other bedding which makes it a good option for horses without respiratory issues.
Using cardboard or paper may help horses with asthma; ‘dust-free’ shavings or wood pellets are another option.
Think about when dust levels will be highest i.e. when mucking out. It is a good idea to put horses in fields or on the walker whilst you are sorting their beds.
On a similar note, even if you use different bedding for different horses remember that disturbing one bed will create more dust throughout the barn.
Don’t sweep into your horses’ stables when you clear the yard.
If possible feeding from the floor helps horses to clear their airways; regularly sweep under where their hay sits and under and around water buckets.
When travelling for long periods think about how you can allow your horses to lower their heads either by making space in the lorry or stopping and bringing them off (somewhere safe!).
Change bedding in the truck regularly.
If you are at show and there are two of you working can one hand walk whilst the other mucks out?

Prioritise ventilation

Keep windows and doors open as much as possible in the barn as well as in the truck - it is better to add another rug than shut off air sources.
When booking show stables it may be worth asking to be near the end of the barn.

Management

Feeding a supplement high in Vitamin E and Vitamin C helps support good lung function and has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of respiratory symptoms in horses.
Scoping. Many horses (including fit sports horses) that do not show signs of respiratory trouble have been shown to have issues when scoped. It may be worth considering scoping your horses at the beginning and midway through the season as part of your regular veterinary work.

With a little attention to your management and routines you can make a big difference, both in managing dust and in protecting your horses. It is worth making changes wherever you can: making your horses' respiratory health a priority will make them more comfortable and improve their performance.

You will find more information about Equine Asthma and helping your horses to breathe on the Haygain and Boehringer Ingelheim websites.

Keeping the dust down: prevention is better than cure

Medication

Management

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