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The importance of a good stable environment: Tips for layout and hygiene

The importance of a good stable environment: Tips for layout and hygiene

Written by Mara | December 11, 2025

A healthy stable environment is one of the most important pillars of your horse’s wellbeing. Fresh air, sufficient space, safe materials and good hygiene all help prevent respiratory issues, skin problems, stress and even injuries. It’s tempting to focus mainly on training, feeding and supplements, but the real foundation starts with the place where your horse lives and rests every day. In this blog you’ll read why a good stable environment matters and get practical tips to optimise your stable layout and cleanliness.

Why is a good stable environment so important?

Horses often spend more time in the stable than we think: at night, in bad weather, during recovery periods or when turnout is limited. A stable that is too dusty, damp or poorly ventilated increases the risk of:

respiratory problems such as coughing and heaves
allergic reactions to dust, moulds and mites
fungal infections and skin irritation
stress due to lack of stimulation or space
injuries caused by unsafe fixtures

A clean, safe and well-ventilated stable helps your horse stay physically and mentally healthy.

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A healthy stable starts with fresh air

A horse breathes in hundreds of litres of air every day, so poor ventilation has an immediate effect on the lungs. Therefore, pay attention to:

continuous air circulation without cold draughts
open windows, shutters or vents for natural airflow
no build-up of ammonia (urine smell), which irritates eyes and airways

A fresh stable doesn’t have to feel cold to your horse: horses cope well with lower temperatures as long as it’s dry and well ventilated.

Choose the right bedding

The stall floor partly determines how much dust is in the air and how comfortably your horse rests.

Low-dust bedding

There are several bedding types that release less dust, such as:

flax (linseed) straw
chopped or dust-extracted straw
good-quality wood shavings

What to consider when choosing bedding?

Several aspects are crucial when it comes to bedding in a stable:

bedding must absorb moisture well so urine doesn’t linger
it should be safe and either edible or deliberately non-edible, depending on your horse
it must not cause mould or clouds of dust

Horses with respiratory problems often do best on flax or wood shavings, combined with well-ventilated stable space. Rubber mats are also a good option.

Hygiene: a daily task that prevents a lot of trouble

Clean stable management reduces the risk of:

parasites
moulds
bacterial infections
ammonia formation
allergic complaints

So make sure you focus daily on:

removing wet spots
picking out droppings several times a day
keeping feed and water buckets clean
never feeding hay on the floor of a dusty stable

In addition to daily cleaning, keep up with weekly or monthly tasks:

wash saddle pads and rugs regularly
clean walls
check ventilation points
lift and clean rubber mats
remove any signs of mould or damp

The cleaner the stable, the healthier the air your horse breathes.

Make the stable safe and horse-friendly

With a few simple adjustments you can make your stable safer and more horse-friendly.

Provide sufficient space

A horse must be able to turn, lie down and get up without bumping into anything. Stables that are too small cause stress and potential accidents. Ideally, provide an attached run so your horse can stretch its legs.

Use safe materials

Ensure there are no protruding nails or sharp edges. Install solid doors and latches and securely mounted feed and water containers.

Offer stimulation to prevent boredom

Horses are natural movers and nibblers. Stable enrichment helps prevent stress. Consider:

salt/mineral licks
haynets to prolong feeding time
chew materials
visual contact with other horses

A horse that is occupied is a happier, calmer horse.

Feeding and stable management go hand in hand

A healthy stable environment also supports the digestive system.

Pay attention to:

low-dust forage; steam hay for airway-sensitive horses if needed
regular, calm feeding times
hygienic feed storage: cool, dry and protected from pests

Healthy stable + good feeding management = the best foundation for a healthy horse.

Don’t forget the outdoor areas

The stable area doesn’t end at the stable door. The surroundings matter too:

keep paths and drainage clean so the yard doesn’t get muddy
remove manure from paddocks to reduce worm burden. Read more in our blog: Horse worms and deworming schedules.
check field fencing for safety
maintain good air quality outdoors too: avoid manure fumes in passageways or storage areas

Creating a healthy stable environment doesn’t have to be a big project. The biggest gains often come from small but consistent measures:

daily mucking out
good ventilation
low-dust bedding
a safe, horse-friendly layout
a stimulating, horse-appropriate living space

A stable where your horse feels comfortable directly supports health, behaviour and performance.

There are of course several housing options, such as deep-litter systems, young-stock housing and field shelters. For each option, consider how to keep the environment as healthy as possible for the horse.

Do you have questions about creating a healthy stable environment for your horse? Contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.

Read our other blogs

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How do you recognize stress in your horse, and what can you do?

Every horse owner knows the feeling: your horse seems restless, looks around nervously, or startles at things it normally ignores. Stress in horses occurs more often than we think—sometimes very subtly, sometimes clearly visible. But how do you know if your horse is really experiencing stress? And more importantly: what can you do to help them relax? In this blog, you’ll learn how to recognize stress in your horse, which signals you should never overlook, and what practical steps you can take to create more calm and balance.

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More and more horses are suffering from a pollen allergy. This is a seasonal allergy to airborne pollen, also known as hay fever. Just like in humans, symptoms often appear in spring, the time when plants, grasses and trees begin to bloom again and the grazing season starts. How can you recognise hay fever in your horse? What can you do to support your horse? And are there any changes you can make to your stable management? We cover it all in this blog.

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About the author

Mara van Brussel-Broere, Veterinarian at Vetsend

Graduated as a companion animal veterinarian from Utrecht University, she uses her practical experience to advise customers and share knowledge at Vetsend. She finds it important to provide pet owners with clear information about health and wellbeing.