It's not just the amount of horse manure that matters. Manure, and especially manure disposal, is a major issue for horse farms. Alternative bedding is favored, not least because of the reduced manure volume. The increasing number of horses with respiratory problems and equine asthma means that many stables are forced to seek an alternative to conventional straw.
Unfortunately, conventional straw is usually quite dusty and therefore less suitable for horses with equine asthma. Approximately 55-68% of stable dust is caused by the horse's bedding. Low-dust alternatives are needed.
Criteria for good bedding for horses with equine asthma
- Dust pollution
- mold
- Ammonia binding
For horses with lung disease, it is particularly important that the alternative bedding not only has low dust levels but also has good ammonia binding properties and is not contaminated with mold.
What alternatives do I have?
Straw is usually already contaminated with mold and is rather dusty. Furthermore, its absorbency is generally poor, which can lead to greater ammonia exposure.
In contrast, straw pellets are usually thermally treated, which contributes to significantly better hygienic quality. Straw pellets are very absorbent and bind ammonia quite well. Unfortunately, over time, mold often forms, which can cause problems for horses. Since the pellets also swell considerably upon contact with liquids, special care is required if horses eat the bedding.
Linen or flax bedding absorbs moisture quite well and is a low-dust alternative. The bitter substances in the bedding make it unpalatable. Unfortunately, fresh bedding is often a bit slippery at first. Furthermore, the bedding is usually imported from abroad, which can potentially lead to supply shortages.
Forest soil has become very popular in recent years. This bedding is particularly convincing in terms of sustainability. It absorbs liquids well and produces little dust. However, the origin of the forest soil should always be considered to ensure it does not contain any toxic plants or wood. The principle of forest soil is based on decomposition processes, so a minimum bedding depth is required to allow the microorganisms to function properly. Unfortunately, these decomposition processes can lead to the formation of mold over time, which can be problematic for some horses.
Wood shavings are also a popular alternative. They have moderate liquid-absorbing properties and low dust emissions. However, dust-free shavings should always be used. Unfortunately, cleaning the stalls is rather time-consuming. Furthermore, disposal can sometimes be difficult, as some farmers do not accept manure containing shavings.
The choice of bedding naturally depends, to a large extent, on local conditions. What are the horses' eating habits? How much manure do I have? How much does each type of bedding cost? How much labor is required? What disposal costs should I calculate, and will I have a buyer for the manure? Therefore, it's ultimately impossible to name a single ideal bedding for horses with equine asthma. Many different factors must be considered when making a selection.
Stable management (care, manure removal, etc.) in particular appears to have a decisive influence on dust and ammonia emissions. During and after mucking out, horses should be kept out of the stable for at least 30 minutes. Without mucking out, significant ammonia emissions can be expected after just three days with all tested bedding options.
Sources:
Dr. Bianca Schwarz – Respiratory diseases in horses: Not all coughs are created equal – Webinar from March 7, 2023
Jana Olberding – Blog: Bedding for horses with lung disease – accessed on 20.03.2023
H. Van den Weghe et al. (2008) Alternative bedding materials for reducing gaseous and particulate emissions in horse husbandry and preventing respiratory diseases in horses. Research project: 06UM001/W1
Herholz et al. (2020) Horse health: Dust and ammonia emissions from eight different bedding materials; Agrarforschung Schweiz 11: 230–237, 2020
