I loved looking down a barn aisle and seeing nets of hay hanging across the fronts of stalls, horses lazily chewing. But I don’t anymore. What was once thought of as a healthy and efficient way to feed your horses and save on bedding and hay in the long run, as there was very little waste, is now considered unhealthy for your horse. Hay nets and permanent structured hay racks are out. Studies have shown that horses inhale dust and hay particles when they eat hay in this way. They need to eat with their heads down. Hay on the ground is the healthiest route. It is the natural route.
Dust of any kind – be it hay dust, sawdust, manure dust, or just plain old dirt dust – is a major issue when it comes to your horse’s health. You want to do everything you can to make sure you are not inhaling unhealthy amounts on a daily basis. Dust is unavoidable, and ideally a nice, airy barn is ideal. In the event that you need to use fans during the summer season, be careful where you place the fans. Fans on the floor raise dust. Fans should be placed off the ground, if possible, preferably mounted on the fronts of the stables, with the cables out of the way of man and horse. Be careful when sweeping hallways. First moisten them slightly and use a broom and light strokes. You don’t have to remove every last speck of dust. Do not use a leaf blower. I shudder just thinking about it. There is a fine line between diligent and fanatic. Find it and don’t walk that line.
