Take steps to combat ammonia in barns and stalls. | Photo: iStock

For many owners the barn can serve as a place to unwind and relax, but did you know that there could be a hidden danger lurking in your horse’s stall?

When you open the stall door, pitchfork in hand, are you hit with an acrid burning of the nose, lungs, and throat? That is the signature trademark of ammonia.

Ammonia occurs naturally in urine and manure. Most owners know that ammonia is harmful for our horses, but many don’t realize that it is more than just a noxious odor for humans. In, fact it’s a health hazard