Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
06:52
Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure
Published on: July 19, 2018
Variability in particulate concentrations in a horse training barn over time
K M Ivester1, K Smith, G E Moore
1Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|March 2, 2013
Summary
Horse breathing zone particulate exposure varies significantly by feeding method and individual behavior, not just stable area measurements. Management practices are key to understanding respiratory health risks.
Area of Science:
- Equine respiratory health
- Environmental monitoring in stabled animals
- Particulate matter exposure assessment
Background:
- Stable confinement exposes horses to airborne particulates, potentially causing airway inflammation.
- Accurate exposure assessment and understanding variability sources are crucial for equine respiratory health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess variability in area and breathing zone particulate matter concentrations over time.
- To determine the influence of daily, monthly, and inter-horse factors on exposure.
- To examine the relationship between area and breathing zone particulate concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of respirable particulate matter (PM10) in a Thoroughbred training stable over 30 months.
- Mixed-model analysis of variance to assess temporal and daily variations.
- Inclusion of hay feeding methods and horse-specific factors in the model.
- Real-time PM10 monitoring to evaluate barn door position effects.
Main Results:
- Area particulate concentrations showed seasonal (monthly/yearly) variation, but daily variation was not significant.
- Maximum area respirable particulate concentrations were significantly influenced by daily fluctuations.
- Opening barn doors reduced PM10 levels.
- Horses fed from hay nets had higher breathing zone particulate exposure than those fed from the ground.
- Significant horse-to-horse variability in exposure was observed.
- Breathing zone concentrations were higher than area concentrations and not correlated.
Conclusions:
- Area particulate monitoring is an inadequate predictor of individual horse exposure, despite reflecting seasonal trends.
- Hay feeding methods and individual horse behavior are critical determinants of a horse's actual exposure.
- Future studies on equine lung health should incorporate individual behavior and management practices impacting breathing zone exposure.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Variability: Analysis
Measures of variability are statistical metrics that reveal the dispersion pattern within a dataset. They are pivotal in biostatistics, providing insights into the heterogeneity within health and biological data. Variability signifies the degree to which data points diverge from one another, helping researchers understand the potential range of values and associated uncertainty within the data.
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
01:14What is Variation?
Apart from the measures of central tendency, distribution, outliers, and the changing characteristics of data with time, an important characteristic of any data set is its variation or spread. In some data sets, the data values are concentrated closely near the mean; in others, the data values are more widely spread out from the mean.
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
The range, standard deviation, standard error, and variance are the different measures of variation.
Range: The range is the difference between its maximum and...
03:37Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision
Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.
01:18Variation of Atmospheric Pressure
Change in atmospheric pressure with height is particularly interesting. The decrease in atmospheric pressure with increasing altitude is due to the decreasing gravitational force per unit area as we move away from the surface of the earth.
Assuming the air temperature is constant at a given altitude and that the ideal gas law of thermodynamics describes the atmosphere to a good approximation, one can find the variation of atmospheric pressure with height.
Let p(y) be the atmospheric pressure at...
Assuming the air temperature is constant at a given altitude and that the ideal gas law of thermodynamics describes the atmosphere to a good approximation, one can find the variation of atmospheric pressure with height.
Let p(y) be the atmospheric pressure at...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...