| Equestrian riding arena surfaces and the use of dust suppressants |
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A. M. Swinker, M. L. Swinker1, and J. L. Kollar
Summary Equestrians are concerned with riding arena surfaces, primarily for the comfort and performance of the horse but health issues should be addressed. The objective of this survey was to determine type of riding facility used, arena surface composition and dust controls methods used. Twenty percent of the surveyed facilities were dressage/ English disciplines and 80% were western/general equestrian facilities. Survey results showed , 40% of facilities had access to an indoor riding arena. Riding surfaces consisted of: 71% sandy, 40% clay soil, 21% wood products, 7% used rubber products and 6% used tan bark (arena treatments were not mutually exclusive). Sands and existing soils were the primary materials that weremixed with other arena surface treatments. Sixty percent of all facilities responding used a dust control product with 86% of the indoor facilities using dust suppression. The primary dust control method was watering (hosing, sprinkling, etc.), 6.6% added chemicals (salts), 6% incorporated soiled bedding/manure and 3.2% used other suppressants (tan bark, vegetable oil, petroleum or mineral-based motor oils). Key Word: Arena, Surface, Dust ________________________________ 1East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27252 INTRODUCTION Equestrians are concerned with riding arena surfaces, primarily for the comfort and performance of the horse. Agricultural dust (livestock, grains and riding arenas) is a serious environmental and health hazard.1,2 Increased awareness of occupational diseases and the development of epidemiological studies have shown that the problems of exposure to dusts is widespread and that many industries are concerned about these risks. 1 Health issues should be addressed when constructing and maintaining riding area surfaces. Despite recent reports of respiratory problems among other agricultural occupations, relatively few studies have been conducted to characterize dust (particles ranging from .001mm to .005mm) exposures in the equestrian environment.1,5,6 The objective of this survey was to determine type of riding facility used, arena surface composition and dust controls methods used. MATERIALS AND METHODS Over 2,500 addresses for equestrian facilities across North American were collected. Nine hundred individuals were selected randomly and mailed a questionnaire; 348 usable surveys were returned. Twenty percent of the surveyed facilities were dressage and English disciplines and 80% were western and general equestrian facilities. Survey variables and frequencies were analyzed using chi square. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Survey results showed, that 40% of facilities had access to an indoor riding arena, 78.8% had access to an outdoor riding facility and 1.3% had race tracks. Some of the operations had access to both indoor and outdoor riding facilities. Dust is generated in both indoor and outdoor arenas, during riding and training activities. Dusts generated from these riding surface materials are both organic and inorganic in nature and may be a potential health hazard to horses and humans.2 A Colorado State University survey of riding instructors showed that nearly half of the instructor’s (46%) primary riding facility is an indoor arena. 3 The survey also found that instructors and trainers are nearly two times more likely to develop chronic bronchitis if primarily working indoors. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the types of surface materials that are being used in riding facilities. Surveyed riding surfaces were reported to consist of: 71% sandy soils (crushed: shell, limestone, river sand) as a primary surface component, 40% clay soil, 21% wood products (chips, shaving or saw dust), 7% used rubber products and 6% used tan bark. Sands and existing soils were the primary carrying material that was mixed with other arena surface treatments. Of the facilities responding, 60% used a dust control product (n=210). Eighty six % of the indoor facilities (n=159) used dust suppression (dust treatments were not mutually exclusive). The primary method used for dust control was watering (57.8%) (hosing, sprinkling, etc.), 6.6% added chemicals (salts), 6% incorporated soiled bedding/manure and 3.2% used other suppressants (tan bark, vegetable oil, petroleum or mineral-based motor oils). A number of equestrian facilities (40%) elected not to use any dust control method. According to this survey, most equestrian facilities operators are concerned about dust control because many equestrian instructors and trainers spend long hours each day in an indoor arena. There are many methods used to control dust; what ever method is used the following considerations should be considered. Reducing dust by increasing particle size through aggregation is critical and is accomplished by an adhesive force that binds to particulates larger than soil particles. Dust suppressants used include water, salts, methyl esters of vegetable oil and petroleum or mineral-based motor oils. Dust suppressants aggregate soil particles to reduce dust.7 CONCLUSION The objective of this paper was to characterize the arena surface materials used and dust control methods used in indoor and outdoor equestrian riding facilities. The survey indicated that most equestrian facilities are concerned about dust control and realize that prolonged dust exposure is a serious environmental and health hazard. LITERATURE CITED 1. Rylander, R., (1986) Lung Disease Caused by Organic Dusts in the Farm Environment. Amer Jrnl of Indust Med 10:221-227. 2. Johnston, A.M., Evaluation and management of respiratory disease in the horse. Tieraztliche Praxis, 1987; 2:21-3. 3. Kollar, J.L., A. M. Swinker and M. L. Swinker (2000) A Survey of Respiratory Disorders in Equestrian Instructors. Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. 4. Garry, V. F. & Kirkhorn, S. R., (2000) Agricultural lung disease, Environmental Health Perspective,108:705-712. 5. Schneker, M., Exposures and health effects from inorganic agricultural dusts. Environmental Health Perspectives 2000;108:661-212. 6. Malmgren, R., 1999, The Equine Arena Handbook, Alpine Publication, Loveland, CO. p. 47 |