Horse Barn Air Quality: Pathogens Prevalent in Box Stalls

Study results revealed that box stalls have much higher concentrations of potentially disease-causing pathogens in the air compared to run-in sheds.
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Horse Barn Air Quality
Study results revealed that they—especially closed box stalls—have much higher concentrations of potentially disease-causing pathogens in the air compared to run-in sheds. | Photo: iStock
In recent years horsemanship scientists have confirmed that stalls can present significant equine welfare challenges by restricting movement and social interactions. But that’s not all. Study results revealed that they—especially closed box stalls—have much higher concentrations of potentially disease-causing pathogens in the air compared to run-in sheds.

Escherichia coli, staphylococci, mold fungi, and other varieties of disease-causing bacteria hover invisibly in the air of our stables, threatening horses’ and humans’ respiratory health, said Katarzyna Wolny-Koładka, PhD, of the University of Agriculture Department of Microbiology, in Cracow, Poland. And those pathogens circulate in much denser levels when horses are kept closed-up in box stalls.

“Also the dust, formed during maintenance work within the facilities, contributes to the increase in the microbial concentration of the air,” said Wolny-Koładka said.

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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