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Equine Facility Design & Stable Management Consulting

Adequate Ventilation for Horses

Adequate ventilation is imperative to respiratory health in the horse. Good air circulation decreases moisture and thus decreases pathogens. It helps to remove heat, odor, ammonia and allergens.
Eaves, ridge vents and cupolas help provide passive air circulation. These should never be blocked or completely closed off even in very cold weather.
Orient your barn to take advantage of prevailing winds.
4-8 complete changes of air per hour
Stalls should have at least 4 square feet of window space that can open
High (at least 12 feet) or no ceilings
Open design
No hay storage above stalls
Open panels in stall dividers and mesh doors or vents at stall bottoms help circulation
Large doors at aisle ends that can remain open most of the time
Peak and individual stall fans
If you can smell ammonia, there’s already damage to your horses lungs
Air exchange and air distribution are both important

Peggy R. Rose
Maureen Fehrs, DVM
4401 East 700 North
Rolling Prairie, IN 46371
(219) 778-2448
info@stableenvironments.com