08/05/2026
🐴✨ Learning never stops in the horse world ✨🐴
One thing I absolutely love about the equestrian community is how much knowledge is shared through lived experience, passed from one horse owner to another over generations. So much of what I know has come from wonderful horsey friends, mentors, and caring for horses alongside people with years of experience. ❤️
That has certainly been true for me, especially during the years caring for my previous mare who suffered with equine asthma. Through that journey, one of my dearest friends taught me so much of what she had learned herself from the incredibly dedicated and caring vets who supported her over the years. The knowledge, kindness and support shared within the horse world is truly invaluable. 🫶
But the teacher in me also loves deepening my understanding through accredited learning and evidence based study, so I’ve recently started a new e-learning journey with the British Grooms Association. 📚✨
I’ve just completed a course on Bedding Management, and although some areas were familiar, I still learned so much. I wanted to share 5 key takeaways that really stood out to me:
🍃 1. Dust and spores in the stable air can seriously affect respiratory health. Bedding is one of the biggest sources of airborne dust in stables. When inhaled, dust and spores can cause anything from mild irritation to allergic reactions and chronic respiratory disease in some horses. Research has shown stable air quality plays a major role in equine respiratory health.
💨 2. Ammonia build-up can negatively impact horse health and wellbeing. The type of bedding used and how it is managed greatly affects ammonia levels. Ammonia doesn’t just irritate the lungs, it can contribute to respiratory disease and weaken the immune system too. Clean, well maintained beds and good ventilation make such a difference.
🌾 3. Straw bedding can contain the highest levels of dust and spores. Whilst straw can be cost effective and remains popular for many horses, studies have shown it often contains higher dust and spore levels compared to some alternative bedding types. This is especially important for horses with respiratory sensitivities.
😴 4. Horses need REM sleep too. Horses can doze standing up, but they must lie down to achieve deep REM sleep. Horses in work need around 60 minutes of REM sleep every 24 hours to properly recover and recuperate. A clean, dry and comfortable bed encourages horses to lie down and rest properly.
🌿 5. Horses are designed to move. With 24/7 turnout, naturally grazing horses may travel between 6 to 12 miles each day. Movement is such an important part of natural horse behaviour and overall wellbeing.
These learning points are absolutely not intended to shock or criticise stabling, in fact, quite the opposite! Many horses require stabling for health, management, recovery, weather conditions, safety, and individual needs. 🫶
But keeping stables clean and reducing dust, spores and ammonia can make an incredibly positive impact on our horses’ comfort, respiratory health and wellbeing. Small changes can make a huge difference. ✨
If you need help with:
🧹 A thorough stable deep clean
🌸 A spring refresh after winter
🐴 Mucking out support
🌿 General stable hygiene and care
Camel Valley Paddock & Paws is here to help. ❤️
📖 References:
Mönki, J. et al. (2021) ‘Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation’, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8.Saastamoinen, M. et al. (2015) ‘Reducing Respiratory Health Risks to Horses and Workers’, Animals, 5(4), pp. 1150–1162.Werhahn, H. et al. (2010) ‘Effects of Different Bedding Materials on the Behaviour of Horses Housed in Single Stalls’, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 30(8), pp. 425–431.Masebo, N.T. et al. (2025) ‘A Literature Review on Equine Bedding: Impacts on Horse Welfare, Human Health and the Environment’, Animals, 15(5), 751.
