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Summary A major concern in stabled horses is the occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with poorly ventilated stables, exposure to dust and mold and as a sequel to bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of airborne Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), fungi and endotoxin which may be factors in the incidence of COPD in stabled horses. Three bedding materials were used: phone book paper, pine sawdust and wheat straw. Six stalls and six horses were utilized for the study. Two stalls each were bedded with either phone book paper, sawdust or straw. Air samples for GNB and fungi (N=96) were collected inside each stall for eight consecutive days using the time intervals of 15s, 30s, 2 min and 3 min using an Andersen Cascade Impactor. Air samples for endotoxin (N=42) were collected for each bedding type over a seven-day period. Analysis for airborne GNB, fungi and endotoxin were performed on air samples collected from the stalls. No differences were detected in total plate count for either GNB (P>.10) or fungi (P>.10) between the phone book paper, sawdust or straw bedding materials. Gram-negative bacteria and fungi were prevalent in the air of all stalls. The straw stalls had higher levels of airborne endotoxin contamination levels (P

Summary Horse manure management is becoming a major concern in suburban areas of the United States. An average horse can produce eight to ten tons of manure per year, accumulating at a rate of two cubic feet per day, including bedding. If properly composted, the manure and bedding can be transformed into a very useful, odorless, pathogenfree product. The objective of this trial was to compare the characteristics of recycled chopped phone book paper, sawdust and wheat straw bedding during composting. Six horses were stalled on three bedding types: recycled phone book paper, sawdust and straw. Each day manure and soiled bedding types were separately collected and transported to compost sites over an eight-day period. Three compositing bins were each hand constructed from wooden pallets with 10 cm slats. The front of the bin was left open for manipulation of materials during the composting process. Initial volumes of the soiled bedding materials were 1m 3 , 1m 3 , and 1.5m 3 for paper, sawdust and straw, respectively. Temperatures were taken for each bedding materials using a 51 cm REOTEMP compost thermometer. Temperatures were taken on Day 0 and every four days over the 65-day trial (n=52). Temperature was used to determine the need for moisture addition and aerating by turning to keep the piles microbially active. On Day 37 the C:N ratio was adjusted by the addition of ammonium sulfate, 0.1 kg, 0.1 kg and 0.14 kg for sawdust, phone book paper and straw piles, respectively. Mean standard error and range for compost temperatures (C) were: phone book paper, 33.17±10.33 (13–52); sawdust, 45.6±9.35 (27–58); straw, 30.42±6.57 (16–39). The sawdust composted more readily as compared to the phone book paper or straw. The paper and straw had poorer structure, which caused compaction of the material when moistened; thus, porosity, oxygen supply and microbial activity were reduced.

Summary The physiological effect on the equine respiratory tract of recycled phone book paper vs. sawdust bedding was investigated in 12 mares with no clinical signs of respiratory disease. Mares were housed in a 20-stall barn and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (Group 1=sawdust; Group 2=phone book paper) for 14 days. After a 14-day turnout, Group 1 was assigned to phone book paper and Group 2 was assigned to sawdust for 14 days using a crossover experimental design. Endoscopic examinations of the upper respiratory tract and trachea along with tracheal washes (TW) were performed on days 0 and 14 of each trial. Cytologic examinations were performed on TW samples. Cell type and laboratory interpretation of TW samples were noted. There was no difference (P>0.05) in cell type between treatment groups within or across trials. Laboratory interpretation indicated no abnormalities in 30 of 48 TW samples. Stall conditions were visually rated and graded daily for drinking water cleanliness, depth of bedding and absorbency, overall cleanliness, ammonia odor, and aerial ammonia levels. The phone book paper bedding was more absorbent (P