A three-year study found a direct link between fungal particles in the lungs and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses. Eliminating exposure to fungi is critical to IAD prevention.
Source: Horse Network, October 2, 2019. Link. In the 700 horse study published by The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine < link > researchers found that:
- fungal elements are commonly present in equine airways
- inhaling fungal particles increases a horse’s risk of IAD by 2.1 fold
- exercise intolerance is 23% more frequently reported in horses that have fungal elements in their airways
They also noted that soaking hay, haylage or dust-free hay did not significantly decrease the risk of IAD nor the risk of having fungal elements in the airways. According to the researchers, the only way to protect your horse against molds is to manage the horses’ environment.
- Get rid of molds in hay by steaming it at high temperature.
- Use dust free shavings that do not contain moulds (unlike straw).
Also see: Bedding choices, hay treatments, plus ventilation critical for horse care, Animal Health Digest, September 17, 2019. Link.
INSIGHTS: Preventing respiratory challenges and disease in horses is critical to horse owner satisfaction and horse health. These findings will affect nearly every horse owner at some level. Share this with social media, horse groups, in newsletters and local horse event organizers.