Leading equine product manufacturer Haygain has expanded their offering of equine respiratory health products with the purchase of the California-based equine flooring business ComfortStall.
Better horse respiratory health
Now, as a natural expansion to addressing the dust found in hay, Haygain is turning to the dust found in the stall with its acquisition of ComfortStall.
Founded in 2008, Haygain made its name globally with its range of hay steamer products, which provide the only scientifically proven method for purifying hay. A company deeply committed to scientific research, the Haygain hay steamers eliminate virtually all respirable dust particles found in hay, killing mold, bacteria, fungal spores and mites, which contribute to inflamed airway passages and a range of equine respiratory health issues.
Now, as a natural expansion to addressing the dust found in hay, Haygain are turning to the dust found in the stall with its acquisition of ComfortStall, the US company that revolutionized stall flooring.
“The ComfortStall Flooring System offers a unique solution to the dusty, ammonia-laden stable atmosphere which can lead to respiratory problems in both horses and humans. We recently showed the system at the BETA show in England and the reception was nothing short of outstanding,” Haygain CEO Edzo Wisman said.
Hidden threats to equine respiratory health
Haygain’s mission to improve equine respiratory health addresses a basic equine need that many horse owners and riders don’t even know is compromised: the need to breathe freely.
Recent research showed that 84% of horses tested suffered from Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) – and that steamed hay reduced the incidence of IAD by an impressive 63%. Dr. Van Erck-Westergen, who led the study, said the prevalence of IAD is higher than generally assumed – partly due to the absence of obvious symptoms.
Respiratory health and air quality are inextricably linked. Traditional horsekeeping misconceptions, like the idea that more is better when it comes to stall bedding and that high-quality hay contains no respiratory or digestive threats, are now being consistently debunked by the veterinary and scientific community.
As a result Haygain now already sells over 2,000 hay steamers annually as an increasing number of riders appreciate the need for treating their hay before feeding.
That stall filled with banked corners of fluffy shavings and a pile of lush, fresh-looking hay could be the cause of that persistent cough or limited lung capacity that compromises equine health and performance potential.
ComfortStall reduces respiratory threats to horses
ComfortStall’s padded and sealed wall-to-wall flooring system is a much healthier alternative to deep and dusty stall bedding. Because it eliminates the need for bedding to provide cushioning, only the amount of shavings needed to absorb body waste is used. Fewer shavings in the stall translate to less dust in the air and fresher air quality for horse and human alike.
A reduction of up to 75% in shavings usage, dust, labor, disposal and expense has proven to be the norm in ComfortStall barns, and those cost savings can potentially offset the expense of purchase and installation within a year. In fact, in a commercial setting, ComfortStall generally pays for itself in less than one year.
All the while, ComfortStall’s medical grade foam cushioning improves joint health and circulation by massaging the frog of the foot with every step, and provides an invitation for the horse to lie down for longer periods, which studies indicate results in better sleep quality and performance.
With its impermeable IronCladTM TopCover sealed to the stall walls, it also prevents any urine or other body waste from sneaking underneath the flooring to collect, breed bacteria and off-gas harmful ammonia vapors, as happens with other flooring companies.
Long-term reliability is a hallmark of the ComfortStall Flooring System, with its industry-leading 6-year guarantee and 10+ years’ track record of zero failures or complaints for its IronClad TopCover.
Haygain steams away respirable contaminants
Think about your horse’s hay: amongst scientists and veterinarians it is by now widely accepted that even top-quality top-dollar hay is loaded with particles that get into the horse’s airway and lungs. Those respirable contaminants may be from dirt dust, leaf shatter, mold spores or other causes, but their effect on the horse is universally negative.
The effects are not always seen. Possibly a cough, but in most instances the effects of the dust are internal. As noted above, over 80% of horses stabled for part of the day suffer from airway inflammation. 25% of people working with horses will also develop a respiratory condition. The negative effects are wide reaching: reduced quality of life for the horse, increased vet bills and a negative impact on performance.
Haygain has more than 15 scientific studies to its name showing the benefits of steaming hay with a Haygain hay steamer. A 99% reduction in mold, fungi and bacteria, a 94% reduction in respirable particles, and a 63% reduction in IAD are just some of the studies’ findings.
About Haygain
Haygain is committed to improving equine health through scientific research, product innovation and consumer education in respiratory and other equine health issues. With offices in the USA and England, Haygain manufactures and distributes products for healthier horses to 19 countries, including its Haygain® Hay Steamers, ComfortStall® Flooring System, ForagerTM Slow Feeder and Flexineb Nebulizer. Visit www.haygain.com for more information.