How Ammonia Impacts Your Horse

Ammonia Horses excrete urea-a nitrogen-containing molecule-in urine and feces to eliminate excess nitrogen from their bodies. UREA MOLECULE AMMONIA MOLECULE Once excreted, urea rapidly converts to ammonia, a small molecule with a pungent, unpleasant odor. EYES RESPIRATORY TRACT HORSE BREATHES IN AMMONIA MOLECULES IN THE AIR MOUTH Ammonia is extremely irritating to mucous membranes lining the mouth, eyes, and respiratory tract. In barns with poor ventilation and hygiene, both horses and humans can be exposed to very high and unhealthy ammonia levels. AMMONIA LEVELS ARE HIGHEST NEAR STALL FLOORS. In an average stall ammonia levels Humans have a 15-minute exposure can exceed limit for ammonia levels of 200 parts per million. 35 parts per million Ammonia might also AMMONIA INHALATION CAN CAUSE: contribute to INFLAMMATORY AIRWAY DISEASE or RECURRENT AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION O INFLAMMATION AND CONSTRICTION OF THE AIRWAYS To reduce ammonia O MUCUS ACCUMULATION O DECREASED STAMINA O COUGH DURING EXERCISE levels in your barn, focus on your horse's "breathing zone." O DIFFICULTY BREATHING TIPS FOR REDUCING AMMONIA LEVELS → Remove manure and soiled bedding often → Clean stalls when horses (and people) aren't nearby → Provide proper barn ventilation → Apply an ammonia-eliminating or absorbing compound to stalls SPONSORED BY: HORSE ŠTALL. the HORSE PDZ ReFresher Sweet