Much research has been conducted to determine what influences particulate matter in the air. This research allows stable owners to improve the quality of air by making very basic changes to their management practices:
The first thing to think about is minimizing the clutter around the barn. If half the bridles haven’t been used recently, it isn’t necessary to scatter them over the tack trunk. Removing dust-collecting objects from the barn will remove only the visible dust; the particles that tend to be the most harmful are those that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Every little bit of dust reduction helps, so cleaning out the barn is a good start.
The bedding used in stalls can have a significant affect on the respirable dust concentration in the barn. A majority of barn owners choose to bed their horses on straw, even though research shows that it is one of the dustiest materials that can be used. Wood shavings provide a good alternative, and there are many new items on the market — such as bedding in pellet form and shredded paper and cardboard — that generate very little dust.
What a horse is fed also has an affect on the amount of dust in a barn. Several different studies have shown hay to be dustier than other available forages. Furthermore, horses tend to bury their noses deep in hay while eating, especially in round bales, thereby exposing themselves to even higher dust levels. Alternatives to hay include alfalfa cubes or pellets, silage or haylage. Haylage is made from grass cut at an earlier time than hay. After it has been dried to an appropriate level, the haylage is wrapped in plastic, retaining the original nutrients. One study showed that changing a horse’s diet and bedding from hay and straw to haylage and shavings can reduce dust levels by more than 97 percent (Couëtil 2008, p. 281). A veterinarian or local Extension educator can provide information about alternative forages available in an area. How and where horses are fed hay also can have an affect on the dust levels. Feeding hay in hay nets or A horse fed hay from a rack is exposed to 2-3 times more dust than when fed hay on the ground.
The product advantage:
1.Fully hot dip galvanized finish or powder coated surface. |
2.A full range of design and style options. |
3.Swing window & swivel feeder are optional as accessories. |
4.Wood, wire mesh, round pipe are optional as infill material. |
5.Auto- lock and sliding systems give you a good experience |
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