A University of Kentucky study examined the air quality of indoor horse arenas. | Photo: iStock

When University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment graduate student Staci McGill set out to learn more about the air quality of indoor horse arenas last year, she was surprised to discover there wasn’t any existing research available. So she forged the way with first-of-its-kind research, melding her passion for riding with her academic interests.

In May 2018 she launched a survey about indoor arenas in partnership with UK’s College of Public Health and facility design experts within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. With the survey she aimed to gather information on arena design and construction, footing, maintenance, and the arena environment. It asked owners, managers, and riders about arena construction characteristics, air quality, arena footing, and associated health outcomes in horses and humans.

The online survey garnered more than 450 respondents, and initial findings indicate that 77% of respondents are concerned about dust, moisture levels, and/or the lack of air movement