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What is the Purpose?
Horse Health and Stall Environment
Cleaner Stalls. Healthier Horses. Better Performance.
A horse’s health is directly tied to its stall environment. Air quality, moisture control, and bedding are essential and all play critical roles in respiratory function, skin conditions, hoof integrity, and overall performance.
Equine research shows that stable management is more than a routine task; it is an important contributor to long-term horse health.
Stall Environment
What Matters Most
AIR QUALITY & RESPIRATORY HEALTH
A horse’s respiratory health is directly affected by the quality of the air inside the stall. Dust, airborne particles, and poor ventilation are major contributors to equine asthma and inflammatory airway disease.
- Fine dust and airborne irritants can inflame sensitive airways.
- Poor ventilation allows dust and harmful gases to accumulate.
- Clean, low-dust bedding helps promote healthier breathing and overall respiratory wellness.
AMMONIA CONTROL
As urine breaks down, it releases ammonia gas—a harmful irritant commonly found in poorly maintained stalls. High ammonia levels can negatively affect both respiratory and immune health.
Prolonged exposure may lead to:
- Respiratory irritation
- Reduced lung function
- Increased risk of illness
Factors that help control ammonia:
- High-absorbency bedding
- Proper moisture management
- Regular stall cleaning
- Maintaining adequate bedding depth
MOISTURE & BACTERIAL CONTROL
Excess moisture creates an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms to thrive.
Wet bedding can contribute to:
- Bacterial growth
- Skin infections
- Hoof deterioration and softening
Quality bedding with excellent absorbency helps wick moisture away from the surface, keeping stalls cleaner, drier, and more sanitary.
CUSHIONING & IMPACT (LEG HEALTH)
The stall floor plays an important role in your horse’s comfort and long-term soundness. Proper bedding cushions joints and supports healthy movement during rest and recovery.
A well-bedded stall helps provide:
- Shock absorption
- Even weight distribution
- Reduced stress on joints and tendons
- Improved hoof support and conditioning
Soft, resilient bedding creates a more comfortable resting surface while helping reduce fatigue and the impact of standing for extended periods.
The role of pine shavings
in Equine Health
Low Dust = Better Respiratory Health
Properly processed, screened pine shavings can help reduce airborne dust compared with lower-quality or poorly processed bedding materials.
Benefits:
- Reduces airborne dust and irritants
- Supports healthier respiratory function
- Ideal for horses with sensitive airways
- Helps create a cleaner stall environment
High Absorbency & Natural Moisture Wicking
Pine shavings naturally wick moisture away from the surface through capillary action, helping keep bedding drier and more comfortable.
Benefits:
- Excellent moisture absorption
- Keeps the stall surface drier
- Reduces odor-causing moisture
- Promotes cleaner air and improved stall hygiene
Safety Profile of Pine
Pine is a naturally soft wood that provides comfortable bedding while minimizing abrasion.
Benefits:
- Soft, comfortable surface for resting horses
- Lower risk of skin abrasions
- Suitable for routine stall use when properly maintained
Hygiene & Cleanliness
Regular removal of soiled bedding helps minimize odors and waste buildup while maintaining a healthier stall environment.
Benefits:
- Reduces odor and ammonia buildup
- Promotes a cleaner, more sanitary stall
- Supports healthy skin and coat condition
- Helps maintain overall horse health
Leg & Hoof Health Benefits
A well-bedded stall provides essential cushioning that supports joints, tendons, and hooves while reducing stress from prolonged standing.
Benefits:
- Cushions joints and tendons
- Reduces concussion and impact stress
- Supports healthy hoof condition
- Promotes comfort during rest and recovery
High-Performance Bedding
Engineered to deliver consistent performance every day.
Features:
- Low dust for improved air quality
- Exceptional moisture absorption
- Ideal softwood flake size
- Consistent bedding distribution
- Reliable moisture control
- Comfortable, resilient footing
Cleaner Stalls | Healthier Horses | Better Results
Stall Hygiene Best Practices
The quality of a horse’s stall environment directly impacts respiratory health, comfort, hoof condition, and overall wellness. Stall Master bedding helps create cleaner, healthier spaces designed for daily performance.
Why Clean Stalls Matter
Poor hygiene leads to:
- Ammonia buildup
- Bacterial growth
- Hoof & skin issues
- Respiratory stress
Clean stalls provide:
- Better air quality
- Reduced health risks
- Improved comfort
- Stronger performance
Fundamentals of Stall Hygiene
- Keep it dry
- Remove waste frequently
- Maintain bedding depth
- Promote airflow
DAILY CLEANING PROCESS
- Remove manure and wet spots
- Separate clean bedding
- Turn and fluff bedding
- Redistribute bedding evenly
WEEKLY STALL MANAGEMENT
- Add fresh bedding
- Rebuild base layers
- Deep clean moisture zones
- Inspect stall flooring
COMMON MISTAKES
- Leaving wet spots too long
- Using poor absorbency bedding
- Poor ventilation
- Insufficient bedding depth
Ammonia Control & Solutions
FAQs about ammonia
The quality of a horse’s stall environment directly impacts respiratory health, comfort, hoof condition, and overall wellness. Stall Master bedding helps create cleaner, healthier spaces designed for daily performance.
One of the main purposes of stall bedding is to quickly and efficiently absorb urine and moisture, as you do not want your horse standing on wet bedding and exposed to ammonia odors. You also want the bedding to be low-dust, soft and comfortable for your horse especially if your horse is older or in the stall for long periods of time.
Our kiln-dried pine shavings absorb urine and help manage moisture and odor inthe stall.
What Is Ammonia?
Protein is an essential component of any equine diet, but when protein is overfed, the horse’s body expels it through feces or urine in the form of urea. The natural bacteria in the environment feed on this urea, which results in the production of ammonia gas.
Although ammonia is not visible to the human eye, it can be readily detected by more than just the human nose. Ammonia is a noxious gas that can cause burning sensations in the eyes, lungs and throat. It has also been known to make people feel nauseous and dizzy and can induce vomiting and increase mucus production and fluid levels in the lungs. Overall, ammonia is classified as a highly hazardous gas and is something that should be taken seriously for both human and equine health.
How Does Ammonia Affect My Horse?
If your eyes start to water after spending just 10 minutes cleaning a horse stall, you can bet that the ammonia gas is also affecting the stall resident. Ammonia is a caustic gas and can cause damage by burning the eyes and respiratory tissues. It may also be a contributing factor to inflammatory airway disease and, eventually, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Although the complete effects of ammonia are not yet known, it has even been linked to a negative effect on metabolic and reproductive hormones. Overall, high levels of ammonia negatively affect horses’ performance through its impact on the respiratory and immune systems.
What Can I Do To Control Ammonia Levels?
Luckily, you and your horse do not have to be victims to ammonia. The steps outlined below will help control odor in your barn and support better horse and human health:
- Muck out horse stalls on a regular basis. Remove any wet or soiled shavings, manure and urine piles at least once every day. If possible, clean stalls twice per day.
- Ensure proper ventilation. It is a good barn management practice to give each stall time to dry and “air out” without the horse present. Open any doors and windows and do your best to enhance cross-ventilation with ceiling and aisle fans.
- Design horse stalls for optimal drainage. You may not have built your own barn, but even so, do your best to avoid letting urine pool or seep. Stall mats with gaps are perfect examples of places that urine — and, by default, ammonia — can hide. Invest in seamless stall mats and choose concrete floors, if possible, as wood and dirt stall floors are more likely to absorb urine. It is also wise to use more absorbent bedding to line the stall. Your bedding options will vary by region and location, but in general, straw is the least absorbent and should be avoided unless it is being used for a specific purpose, such as in a foaling stall.
- Dial-in nutrition. As mentioned above, ammonia is a byproduct of protein. You want to feed your horse the correct amount of protein, but do not assume that more is better, as unused protein will result in increased ammonia production. An equine nutritionist or veterinarian will be able to help you determine your horse’s specific nutrient requirements.
Did You Know?
Every horse owner is always learning. These quick equine facts offer interesting insights into horse behavior, health, and stable care while showing why a clean, dry, well-bedded stall is one of the best investments you can make for your horse.
Don’t forget to check out the BONUS facts below!
Did You Know? A horse breathes approximately...
A horse breathes approximately 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of air every day.
The quality of the air inside the stall is just as important as the quality of their feed and water.
Did You Know? Most dust and ammonia accumulate at...
Dust and ammonia can become concentrated near a horse’s breathing zone, particularly in poorly ventilated stalls.
Because horses spend so much time with their noses close to the bedding, clean, low-dust stalls can make a significant difference in respiratory health.
Did You Know? Removing wet bedding every day..
Removing wet bedding every day helps reduce ammonia before you can smell it.
If you notice a strong ammonia odor, your horse has likely been breathing it for hours.
Did You Know? A 1,000-pound horse typically drinks...
A 1,000-pound horse typically drinks 5 to 15 gallons of water each day.
Adequate hydration supports digestion, temperature regulation, and helps reduce the risk of impaction colic.
Did You Know? Healthy hooves begin with...
Healthy hooves begin with a healthy environment.
Constant exposure to wet, dirty bedding can contribute to thrush, hoof softening, and other hoof problems.
Did You Know? Horses are designed to eat...
Horses are designed to eat small amounts throughout the day.
Their digestive system works best with frequent access to forage rather than large, infrequent meals.
Did You Know? A horse spends more time...
A horse spends more time standing than lying down.
Comfortable, well-cushioned bedding helps reduce stress on joints, tendons, and hooves during the many hours they spend in the stall.
Did You Know? Good barn ventilation...
Good barn ventilation benefits every horse—even in cool weather.
Fresh air helps remove dust, moisture, and airborne irritants that can affect respiratory health.
Did You Know? A clean stall is one of...
A clean stall is one of the simplest ways to support horse health.
Daily cleaning reduces bacteria, moisture, parasites, and airborne contaminants while creating a more comfortable environment.
Did You Know? Your horse's performance starts...
Your horse’s performance starts long before entering the arena.
Proper nutrition, hydration, hoof care, exercise, and a clean, low-dust stall all contribute to better comfort and performance.
BONUS: Did You Know?
A few more really interesting facts!