Horse owners have been known to call SmartPaks the "best thing to happen to the barn since the wheelbarrow. In a new release, SmartPak discusses the downside of various kinds of dust and why it is important to remove air pollutants that affect horse respiratory health. With cold weather approaching and horses spending more time in stalls, making dust busting a priority becomes more important for better horse respiratory health.
For Better Horse Respiratory Health
With cold weather approaching and horses spending more time in stalls, making dust busting a priority becomes more important for better horse respiratory health.
Between the shavings he sleeps in, the hay he eats, and the cobwebs in the rafters, your horseâs home may be full of dust that could negatively affect his respiratory health. Thatâs because âdustâ isnât just âdust.â Dust particles are also made of fungal and mold spores, mites and other insect parts, and bacteria and their toxins.
Though âdust-freeâ and âbarnâ are rarely found in the same sentence, there are steps you can take to help keep the dust down.
Read on for five easy ways to chase the dust bunnies away and help your horse breathe easy this season.
Problem: Hay
Dust-Busting Solution: Wetting or soaking your horseâs hay helps minimize dust, while steaming it with a product like the Haygain HG-1000 Full Bale Hay Steamer will sterilize it, killing any potentially harmful components.
Problem: Sweeping
Dust-Busting Solution: Timing is everything! Try to sweep while the horses are out, but if you must do it while the horses are inside, wet down the aisle before you start, to minimize the dust particles that your horse breathes in.
Problem: Closed Barn
Dust-Busting Solution: Itâs tempting to keep the barn shut tight all winter long to preserve what little heat you have, but you donât want to lock out fresh air. To keep clean air circulating inside, when the temps warm up, open up the barn as much as possible.
Problem: Shavings
Dust-Busting Solution: Whenever possible, put down fresh bedding while the horses are out and the barn doors are open. Also, try to use whatever dust-free shavings are available in your area and avoid straw.Problem: Cobwebs
Dust-Busting Solution: Cobwebs trap dust, so be sure to de-cobweb regularly (this is also a smart fire safety tip!). Wait until after the horses have been turned out for the day to minimize their exposure to the extra dust.
Although these dust buster solutions are common sense, in their busy lives many horse owners forget how important clean, dust-free barns and stables are when it comes to their horse's health. Along with as much turnout time as possible in fresh air making barn and stall cleaning a priority pays off in the long run in better horse health.