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Bacterial Burden in the Air of Indoor Riding Arenas

Author

Listed:
  • Torsten Lühe

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany)

  • Nina Volkmann

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
    Science and Innovation for Sustainable Poultry Production (WING), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 49377 Vechta, Germany)

  • Jeanette Probst

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany)

  • Cornelia Dreyer-Rendelsmann

    (Kapellenweg. 19, 50129 Bergheim, Germany)

  • Jochen Schulz

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany)

  • Nicole Kemper

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany)

Abstract

Airway diseases in horses are often multifactorial and have a strong environmental background because diseased horses react to inhaled agents. In this study, the air quality of closed riding arenas was analyzed monthly in four riding arenas over the course of one year with special emphasis on bacteriology. A standardized riding program with one horse was used to measure exposures to airborne bacteria. Air samples were taken from the heights of the riders’ and the horses’ breathing zone (2.5 m and 1.5 m, respectively) at four sampling points before and after the riding program. The bacterial loads in all four arenas significantly increased after the riding program. However, the results showed no differences between the breathing zones of the riders (2.5 m height) and those of the horses (1.5 m height). Gram-positive bacteria and especially Staphylococcus spp. occurred as the predominant aerobic mesophilic bacteria; 80% of the identified Staphylococci were Staphylococcus xylosus . The cultured samples from the ground of the arenas indicated that the ground was probably the main source of airborne Staphylococcus spp. during riding. The impact of an additional bacterial burden in riding halls on the health of riders and horses remains unknown; however, the air quality of riding arenas should be of special interest in future studies in terms of the high air consumption of horses during training periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Torsten Lühe & Nina Volkmann & Jeanette Probst & Cornelia Dreyer-Rendelsmann & Jochen Schulz & Nicole Kemper, 2022. "Bacterial Burden in the Air of Indoor Riding Arenas," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:12:p:2111-:d:998687
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathleen Bulfin & Hilary Cowie & Karen S. Galea & Alison Connolly & Marie Ann Coggins, 2019. "Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-7, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole Kemper, 2023. "Animal Hygiene on Farms—More Important than Ever Before," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-3, August.

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