Vet Guide: Dust Management in Riding Arenas 2025 🐎🌫️

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Dust in riding arenas isn’t just annoying—it’s hazardous. Fine particles can inflame the eyes and airways of both horses and riders, triggering allergies, coughing, and long-term respiratory issues. In fact, a horse at rest breathes in 16 gallons of air per minute, and that number jumps to over 600 gallons per minute at full exercise. Imagine the impact of poor air quality during a training session. 🌬️🐴

In this 2025 vet-approved guide, Dr Duncan Houston explores science-based strategies to reduce arena dust and create a safer, more breathable training environment. 🧠🌾

1. Why Dust Is a Health Hazard 💨

Whether in an indoor or outdoor arena, inhaling dust can cause:

• 👁️ Eye irritation
• 🤧 Allergies in horse or rider
• 😮‍💨 Heaves or inflammatory airway disease
• 🧪 Chronic inflammation in lung tissue

Dust is often made up of broken-down footing, manure particles, and fine clay or silt—making it both unavoidable and dangerous without management. 🧫

2. Footing Material: Start with the Right Mix ⚖️

The Penn State College of Agriculture recommends minimizing fine particles (clay, silt, or dust-sized sand) in your footing mix. Key footing elements include:

• 🌾 **Sand:** Choose washed or coarse sand over fine sand to reduce breakdown
• 🪵 **Wood chips or fiber:** Retain moisture and offer cushioning
• 💩 **Manure:** Remove daily—decomposed manure is a major dust source

Maintenance tip: Mix footing regularly to prevent material breakdown from collecting on top. 🛠️

3. Watering Your Arena: The Best Dust Control Method 💧

Consistent, deep watering is the most effective way to suppress dust. Aim to:

• 💦 Keep the top 2–3 inches of footing evenly moist
• 🔁 Use a moisture meter to track consistency
• 🚿 Avoid shallow or uneven watering—it leads to hard spots and loose footing

Watering Options:

• 🚜 Tractor-drawn water wagons
• 🌧️ Overhead sprinkler systems
• 🧯 Manual hose application (for small arenas)

Set up a watering schedule based on arena use and local humidity. 📅

4. Dust-Controlling Additives & Enhancers 🧪

When watering isn’t enough—or water access is limited—additives can help. Popular options include:

🪵 Organic Material (Wood, Straw, Fiber)

• Retains moisture naturally
• Inexpensive and environmentally friendly

🧬 Synthetic or Natural Fibers

• Bind loose particles together
• Improve footing longevity and consistency

💧 Crystals & Gels (Polymer blends)

• Absorb water and release slowly
• Act like cat litter to stabilize footing moisture

🛢️ Oil-Based Products (Soybean, Coconut)

• Weigh down dust particles and bind footing
• Effective in covered or indoor arenas

🧂 Salt (Calcium Chloride or Magnesium Chloride)

• Draws moisture from the air
• Needs reapplication every 4–6 months
• Can corrode metal and affect nearby soil

5. Daily Maintenance Routine 🧹

Routine care is key to preventing dust buildup. Best practices include:

• 🧽 Pick up manure after each ride
• 🌀 Drag the arena to maintain even footing
• 🧪 Top off footing as needed to maintain depth and structure
• 💧 Check moisture weekly with a soil probe

6. Summary Table: Dust Management Tools 📋✅

7. Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston 💬

If your horse is coughing, snorting, or experiencing eye irritation during arena work—dust may be the culprit. Clean footing, consistent moisture, and the right additives can dramatically improve respiratory health for both horse and rider. Invest in dust control now and ride easier all year long. 🧠🐎💨

Need help designing a dust control plan or choosing a footing additive? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📲 for product guidance and barn consultation support from equine health experts.

— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc