Barn Dust Dangers

How does dust affect your horse?

Horses take in most of their air through their nares or nasal openings. The hairs on the inside of the nares help filter out debris. Moist mucous membranes line the upper airways and collect the finer material. A runny nose or sneeze will dislodge what collect there.

If necessary, these membranes will produce white blood cells to attack bacteria and viruses and engulf small particles. When the clear nasal secretions change to a milky white, you'll know that your horse's body has enlisted the help of the white blood cells.

But there is a limit to the filtering capabilities of these nasal passages. Any missed dust or debris will pass into the tracheal and bronchial tubes which are the large airways leading to the lungs. Any debris that escapes the primary airways will end up deep in the lungs, causing further problems. The lungs will constrict with inflammation.

Sometimes an allergic reaction dust and mold can occur, resulting in chronic rhinitis (inflamed nose). Any allergy to dust and mold can lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or heaves. This syndrome is closely related to human asthma.

Inflammation over a long period of time can lead to scarring in the lung. Once scar tissue is formed, the lung gets less elastic and its function declines. This process is similar to human emphysema.

Airway obstructions may be a component of EIPH (Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage), or "bleeders".

Many of these conditions can be prevented by limiting exposure to dust and mold.

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