HORSE ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
R. Paul Schwab, D.V.M.
The environment in which an animal lives has a critical effect on its health whether it lives in a stable, a shed, or a large green pasture. A stabled horse has an entirely different set of environmental stressors than a pastured horse, but the basic needs of forage, water, salt, and some form of shelter to get out of wind and rain are the same.
Here in Western Washington, the land availability for pasturing horses is limited partly because of population, geography, and weather. With that said, many horses are in stables or small paddocks most of their life. These horses can be the more environmentally challenged because of the concentration of animals and greater exposure to respiratory allergens, not to mention boredom. With boredom comes decreased exercise, less stamina, and more health problems.
Respiratory disease is a common problem in stabled horses. Not only are pathogens (viruses and bacteria) more concentrated in a small area, but the environment of the stall itself can weaken the ability of the horse to fight these pathogens. Air quality is one of the key factors is preventing respiratory disease. On our farm visits we see plenty of beautiful brand-new horse barns that are a respiratory disaster waiting to happen. We need to remember that horses live outside in the wild and can handle cold and heat quite well, but they do not tolerate poor air quality. Basically they need to be able to get out of the wind and rain (some horses won’t even do that when left on their own). Barns need to have good ventilation, preferably large doors on both ends that can be open most of the time. High ceilings with dormer ventilation are also recommended. Ideally hay should not be stored above the horse stalls because of the hay dust, low ceilings, and poor airflow. Hay racks in stalls should not be so high that the horse must reach to get the hay. This allows fine particles of hay and dust to drop into the nasal cavity and irritate the upper airways.
Another common source of respiratory irritation is bedding. Dirty bedding with manure and urine produces ammonia fumes, especially in horses on higher protein diets. This manure and urine is especially problematic in mares and foals. Ammonia is very irritating to the airways and can predispose animals to viral and bacterial upper and lower airway disease. Rubber mats in stalls will help and make it easier to clean and disinfect. Shavings will help absorb the urine and fecal material but needs to be removed when dirty. Some stables are using pelleted animal bedding which is very absorbent, easy to clean, and takes up less storage space.
Mud and water are also environmental problems that we struggle with in the Pacific Northwest. Numerous hoof and skin diseases are directly related to moisture and mud whether it’s thrush, rain scald, or white line disease, not to mention the mess around barns where the animals mingle. County extension offices can be an excellent source of information on drainage options, manure management, and mud control. (Contact information below.)
Fencing is always a challenge for horses. If there is a way to get injured, they will find it. T-posts and barbed wire keep veterinarians busy treating puncture wounds and lacerations. If t-posts must be used, they should be capped on the top and not driven in too deep where the horse can walk on top of them. Barbed wire is bad, and smooth wire likewise if managed improperly. Electric fencing works well but needs to be marked clearly so the horse knows it’s there. If fences are not maintained they can be a disaster. Woven electric tape is great if it’s properly installed and turned on but will ‘saw’ through a back leg if a horse gets caught in it.
If you own a stallion, the fencing and stalls should be extra secure, especially if the stallion is in the same barn with the other horses. Poorly built stall dividers can easily be torn down by a stallion trying to get to a mare in heat or to another stallion or gelding he wants to fight. (Mares can do just as much damage too.)
A poorly designed facility can result in hundred of dollars of vet bills for injured and sick horses, not to mention poor performance. Consult with your trainer, veterinarian, and other stables to get their opinion of what may work for your situation.
Contact Information:
Whatcom County Cooperative Extension: www.whatcom.wsu.edu
Horses for Clean Water (Seattle) www.horsesforcleanwater.com
Whatcom Conservation District: www.whatcomcd.org
