Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses.
Authors: Rodzyń Izabela, Karpińska Katarzyna, Bis-Wencel Hanna, Wlazło Łukasz, Ossowski Mateusz, Strzelec Katarzyna, Jaguszewski Sebastian, Nowakowicz-Dębek Bożena
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Respiratory disease in horses has become increasingly prevalent, yet the indoor air quality in equine facilities remains poorly characterised; this Polish research team investigated concentrations of gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust across three stables and three indoor riding arenas, with particular attention to how different flooring materials affected air contamination profiles. Using direct air sampling and environmental monitoring, the researchers measured ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and viable microbial populations at each location over multiple sampling periods. The findings revealed significant variation between facilities and between stable and arena environments, with floor type in riding halls demonstrating a measurable influence on bioaerosol concentrations—a key finding for facility managers considering construction or renovation decisions. Understanding these baseline pollutant profiles and their sources provides farriers, veterinarians, and coaches with concrete evidence of how facility design and management directly impact the respiratory health burden experienced by competition and recreational horses, supporting more informed decisions about ventilation, bedding choice, and maintenance protocols that could reduce non-infectious respiratory disease incidence.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Indoor equine facilities require regular air quality monitoring for gaseous pollutants and bioaerosols, particularly given the rising incidence of non-infectious respiratory disease in sport horses
- •Choice of riding arena flooring material impacts air contamination levels—consider environmental air quality implications when selecting or upgrading facility surfaces
- •Facility managers should evaluate both stable and arena environments for dust and biological aerosol accumulation to support respiratory health in horses
Key Findings
- •Air contamination levels including gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust were measured across three stables and three indoor riding arenas with different flooring materials
- •Environmental monitoring identified chemical and biological hazards in equine housing and training facilities that may contribute to non-infectious respiratory disease prevalence
- •Floor material type in riding halls influenced air quality parameters measured across the facilities