The Effect of Putting the Bag with Collecting Feces and Urea (“Equine Diaper”) to the Ammonia Gases Concentrate in Horse’s Pen

Abstract

Exposure of horses to high concentrations of ammonia gas might cause inflammation of the cuticle tunica mucosa of the respiratory tract [7]. We studied the effect on the reduction of ammonia gas concentration when a bag to collect excreta (“the Equine Nappy”) was fitted to penned horses, and additionally examined the influence of ammonia exposure on hay and water intake. Three healthy stallions were used in the study and a comparison was made over 48 hr between wearing the diaper (Diapper) and without the diaper (Control). In Control’s pens, the concentration of ammonia gas rose to more than 4.0 ppm after 42 hr, whereas in the diaper pens, the concentration was maintained at less than 1.0 ppm after 48 hr. After 6 hr, in the presence of high ammonia gas concentrations, the hay intake of the controls decreased. We concluded that fitting the diaper effectively decreased exposure of horses to ammonia gas, helped keep the horse good health, and in addition lowered the cost of bedding.