First, I'm wondering if your dust problem stems just from your stalls, or do you have a dust problem in you barn (aisle, hay storage area, or even out side of the stall where your horse is able to come and go), as well? If it's only in your stalls, than I have a two part answer for you.

First, the dirt in your stall can create dust. By considering the use of stall mats or Thurobed mattress systems, you will greatly decrease the dust in the air.( I have included an article about stall mats that may prove to be helpful to you. Further articles can be found on our web site www.rammfence.com under 'resources', and then click articles under resources). Stall mats will cushion the floor for your horse, save money in bedding and time in cleaning. Thurobed mattress systems go many steps further and additionally give your horse comfort as well as reduces your bedding in half, again! I have used both stall mats and the Thurobed mattresses in my barns and can easily say that you can trust me in telling you that once you switch from a dirt stall floor to a matted stall, you will never want to have dirt floor stalls again!

Secondly, you may want to look at other bedding material that maybe less dusty. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this and I feel the choice is what seems to work best for your barn, horses and situation. I have heard really good things about shredded news-paper. It not only is absorbent, non-dusty but also very earth friendly. There are many 'pelleted' beddings on the market today as well. I would contact a good source for bedding such as your local feed store that sells bedding and ask what bedding that they carry that is not dusty as well as being cost effective. Any bedding that has been processed will have a higher cost, however, if its efficiently makes the cost less over a weeks use, it may be less expensive in the long run. I personally still use pine shavings. I have a source that is not badly prices and like the smell as well as the ease of cleaning in my barn. I also have been using the mattress systems that allow me to use much less bedding making it economical for my budget. (My thoughts to solve your problem are more slanted towards a solution of a flooring system for your stall rather than even the bedding).

An additional idea, if your horses are dragging dusty dirt back into their stalls, you may want to consider putting some kind of a footer across the door-way so that your bedding does not get 'walked out' and dirt does not get 'walked in'. It does not have to be tall, no more that 4 inches, but that may help considerably. It can be installed on the inside of the stall door way that way you can clean the area around the 'walk through'. If you live in an area with seasonal temperature changes and get a lot of rain or snow, you will need to be sure to keep that walk way clean so that you can close doors if you have them. If you do decide to put in stall mats or a mattress system, you will need to frame your stall door way to be sure that mats can be tightly placed together with out moving. This may involve that you adjust the dirt height in your stall so that you have approximately 4" to accommodate stall mats with bedding or 6" for a mattress system with bedding.

If you would like further info on any of the products that I have discussed, please feel free to email and let me know. I truly feel that you can find a solution to your problem with just a little bit of planning and some good 'how tos". I would be happy to help you so that you can create a clean and happy environment for both you and your horse!

Look forward to hearing from you, Debbie.

- Debbie