Dusty Air and Respiratory Problems

In addition to the risks viruses and bacteria pose to the horse, environmental exposure to particulates dispersed from feed, bedding, footing materials, and other sources (such as diesel exhaust) all can lead to IAD. Even small increases in aerodynam
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There’s a lot floating around in the air in a horse’s environment, and it probably isn’t surprising that it can have a negative effect on his health. At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., Melissa Millerick-May, MS, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Michigan State University, discussed multiple risk factors for airborne particulates in stabling and their association with respiratory problems.

 

The relationship between environmental particulate matter and airway inflammation in Thoroughbred racehorses

She said the syndrome of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) includes the accumulation of mucus and inflammatory cells in the airways in the absence of clinical signs of disease. In addition to the risks viruses and bacteria pose to the horse, environmental exposure to particulates dispersed from feed, bedding, footing materials, and other sources (such as diesel exhaust) all can lead to IAD. Even small increases in aerodynamic (airborne) small-diameter particles can worsen airway inflammation.

Sizes of particles of concern reported in this study are smaller than can be seen with the naked eye. The largest are comparable to a single grain of pollen, while the smallest particles are smaller than a red blood cell. Degree of exposure to these particles varies with stable and stall location, season, and the degree of activity around the area

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Written by:

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.

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