There are many aspects of horse-keeping that you, a stable owner, need to know. And for good reason! The amount of dust can depend on things you can’t control, such as the weather, soil composition, or water availability.
This is where dust-control products come into play: they can help you reduce watering and prevent dust from rising, so you and your horse can both enjoy a risk-free ride.
But, with so many dust-control products available on the market, how do you know which ones to choose to get rid of this dusty problem?
This article will cover the fundamental differences between WHOA Dust® control and other dust control solutions to offer all the information you need when choosing what’s best for you and your horse.
Why is Dust Harmful To You and Your Horse?
But first, let’s see what dust-particles are made of to get a clear view of why you should do your best to avoid dust-rising.
- If the footing is made of sand, dust particles can be clay, silt, silica, or organic materials.
- Another component is manure, which can rise in just a few hours during hot months.
- In time, the arena base can rise through the footing, becoming dust.
While riding, the horse breaks down particles until they are small enough to cause harm when they get inside the respiratory system. Remember, the smaller the particles, the worst they are for you and your horse.
Dust in a horse’s lungs can cause inflammation, equine asthma, and heaves, as well as other lung diseases. The situation is similar when it comes to humans breathing dust. It can lead to asthma, chronic bronchitis, persistent inflammation of mucous membranes, and pneumonia.
Other Dust Control Solutions
Water
The cheapest and most popular arena dust control method that prevents dust from rising is often watering. Still, this can be quite challenging in some places since water may not be available or the weather conditions can make it difficult. Using water in excess also negatively impacts the environment, so make sure you use this resource wisely and prevent waste.
Wood
Some horse owners choose to add a mix of wood to the footing to help retain moisture and keep the dust particles from breaking down. Unfortunately, in time wood also breaks down, causing even more dust.
Calcium chloride
Another popular option to help keep moisture in for more extended periods is calcium chloride. It has been used for years in horse arenas to prevent dust particles from rising.
Over time, however, it has become clear that using calcium chloride can cause more harm than good. It can negatively affect the footing quality by increasing compaction and the need to replace it more often. It can also give rise to metal corrosion on arena equipment and drying of horse hooves.
Magnesium chloride
A more recent dust-control option is Magnesium chloride, which works in the same way as calcium chloride, but doesn’t have the harmful corrosion effects on metal. Magnesium chloride works best in a humid climate as it absorbs the moisture in the air. However, it can still have a drying effect on your horse’s hooves. So, if you do use it, remember to clean your tack and your horse’s boots regularly.
As you can see, most of the solutions to reduce arena dust are efficient up to a point, but unfortunately, they also have some drawbacks. By now, you might be thinking: “There must be a better way!” And fortunately, there is!
Read on to find out more about how WHOA Dust® control has excellent efficiency, without the drawbacks the other dust control solutions have.
WHOA Dust®
As opposed to other dust control solutions, WHOA Dust® does more than just retain moisture, reducing arena dust. Here are some of the additional benefits you get when using our biodegradable mix.
Restores the surface cushion of your arena
You can use WHOA Dust® on an old, worn down arena, and it will help put life back into your footing while still ensuring moisture retention. Because it works on the principle of flocculation, it will stabilize your footing and help rejuvenate it.
Reduces watering expense
Depending on climate and other conditions, WHOA Dust® can help you reduce watering expenses by 50% and up to 75%. In fact, arenas with high humidity or condensation have noted almost a complete stop of watering.
Helps with uneven moisture
WHOA Dust® has been tested in arenas from different climates worldwide, and it was proven to disperse moisture throughout the footing evenly. It will pull water in every direction in your footing, thus helping with even and accurate moisture dispersion.
Here are some additional benefits you can get when using WHOA Dust®:
- Simple and easy to apply
- Reduces operational and maintenance costs
- Can be used in arenas, round pens, corrals, paddocks, and race tracks
- 100% Biodegradable
- Environmentally & animal-safe
- Can be used even if Magnesium or Calcium Chloride has been used in the past
- Can last up to 16 months
WHOA Dust® puts the life back into your footing
Visit our pages to find out more about the WHOA Dust®, how it works, what other users have to say about it, and how to calculate the right amount for your arena.
