b'FARM&BARN NANCY S. LOVING, DVMTheHorse.com/FarmandBarnThe Drylot LifeThings to consider when housing horses in pastureless regionsB e it due to space restrictions, cli- also poses respiratory risks for bothhe says. If water is not available, then mate, or geography, not every ownerhorses and humans. Logan Potts, DVM,consider a more permanent alternative has the luxury of turning horses outof Clovis Veterinary Hospital, in Clovis,such as using plant oils (such as soybean on expansive, nutrient-rich pastures. TheNew Mexico, sees this as a growingor sunflower) to hold down the dust. devil is in the many details when it comesconcern and recommends wetting downAlthough used in riding arenas, it can be to keeping horses in good condition evenpaddocks, corrals, and stalls as often asmessy if horses are allowed free use of without access to grass. Still, many horsespossible.the area where they can lie down and roll. live happy and healthy lives on drylots.Dust irritation can cause horses toTherefore, carefully consider this option This type of living arrangement doesdevelop signs of nasal discharge, eyebefore deciding to use it, as once applied, pose some basic challenges: dust, theirritation, and subsequent decreased na- it cannot be easily undone.potential for sand colic, balancing nutri- solacrimal duct (tear duct) drainage, he ent intake, insect control, herd health,says. Some may develop inflammatoryDealing With Mud and Wet Groundand lack of free exercise, to name a few.airway disease (IAD), which is often initi- Not all pastureless properties are arid; Lets take a look at how to handle suchated by inhalation of dust particles andsome see their fair share of rain and mud. hurdles. environmental irritants. IAD contributesIn wet climates detour standing water as much as 20-50% to poor performanceaway from stalls and runs, says Potts. Doing Battle Against Dust in equine athletes.Proper barn design uses gutters and Horses in dry locations stir up a lot ofJason Turner, PhD, professor anddrainage lines to avert water from animal dust, particularly when stamping fliesextension horse specialist at New Mexicoand human traffic. during insect season. Running horses atState University, in Las Cruces, also en- In dry regions horse owners often play often appear shrouded in a haze ofcourages wetting the ground to managesoak their horses feet in mud holes sand and dirt as their hooves churn bone- dust: If water resources allow, every- or water to help the farrier trim hard dry ground. Dust not only makes keepingother-day watering of the drylot areahooves, he adds. However, in one study horses and facilities clean difficult butwith a sprinkler helps keep dust down,(Hampson et al.), hoof wall moisture In areas with few turnout and grazing options, spacious ALAYNE BLICKLEruns attached to stalls get your horses out of the barn, help reduce boredom, and improve respiratory health.66November 2018The Horse|TheHorse.com'