ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL FOR HORSES
Man achieves environmental control through clothing . vacationing in resort areas , and air-conditioned
homes and cars . Limited basic research has shown that animals are more efficient — that they produce and perform better , and require less feed — if raised under ideal conditions of temperature , humidity , and ventilation . The primary reason for having horse buildings , therefore , is to modify the environment . Properly designed barns and other shelters , shades , insulation , ventilation , and air conditioning , can be used the approach the environment that we wish . Naturally , the investment in environmental control facilities must be balanced a- gainst . the expected increased returns : and there is a point beyond which further expenditures for environmental control will not increase returns sufficiently to justify the added cost . This point of diminishing returns will differ between sections of the country , quality of the horses ( the more valuable the animals , the higher the expenditures for environmental control can be ), and operators ; and labor and feed costs will enter into the pictures , also .
Environmental control is of particular importance iir horse barn construction , because many horses spend the majority of their lives in stalls — for example , race and show horses may be confined as much as 95 percent of the time .
Heat Production By Horses
The heat produced by horses varies according to body weight , rate of feeding , environmental conditions , and degree of activity . Under average conditions , a 1,000-pound horse gives off about 1,790 Btu ’ s per hour , and a 1,500-pound horse , 2,450 BtuJs per hour .
Moisture Production By Horses
Most building designers are inclined to govern the amount of air change by the need for moisture removal . A horse breathes into the air approximately 17.5 pounds , or about 2 1 gallons , of moisture per day . For 40 horses , there would be given off 700 pounds or about 84 gallons , of water per day . The removal of such a large quantity of moisture , especially in the winter when the barn is closed , is a difficult probl for the designer to solve . lem
Recommended Environmental Control For Horses
Because there is a paucity of experimental work environmental control for horses upon which to bas «
recommendations for barns for them , confineme ® systems in use for beef and dairy cattle , swine , a "!
poultry were studied by the writer as a means 0f L riving ' at the following environmental control recommendations for equities :
i Temperature - the comfort zone of horses is witK in the range of 45 ° to 75 ° F ., with 55 ° F . considered optimum .
Until they are dry , newborn foals should be warmed
to 75 ° to 80 ° F ., which can be accomplished by means
of a heat lamp . 2 . Humidity - the preferred relative humidity is 60 °/ although a range of 50 to 75 ' Y , is acceptable .
3 . Insulation and Ventilation - these needs will vary from area to area . Where a wide spread between summer and winter temperature exists , and where horses are confined much of the time , proper insulation and ventilation are of prime importance . Under such circumstances , for moisture control in winter and temperature control in summer , horse barns should have at least two inches of insulation on the ceiling or roof , and the sidewalls should be insulated .
The design of the barn , and the temperature of the area , will determine the best type of ventilating system to use . Also , the requirements for summer and winter are so different that it is best to use two different ventilating systems — one for winter , and the other for summer . My recommendations follow : a . Winter ventilating system - designed for a minimum of 60 cfm ( cubic feet / minute ) for each 1,000 pounds of horse . b . Summer ventilating system - another system ( in addition to the whiter system ) of 100 cfm per 1,000 pounds of animal should be available and used when needed .
During the summer , a satisfactory ventilating system can usually be achieved by opening ( 1 ) barn doors , and ( 2 ) high-up walls , or hinged panels , that swing down . Then on extremely hot or quiet days , the natural ventilating system may be augmented
with the summer and / or winter fan ventilating system ( in the summer , reverse the winter fan ( s ) to
exhaust air ). A professional engineer should always be engaged
to design the ventilating system . Generally , summer exhaust fans should be placed high , and winter exhaust fans low . Whatever the ventilating system , drafts on horses should be avoided .
4 . Light - windows should be provided in the ratio of 1 square foot for each 30 square feet of floor area . They should be protected from horses and screene to keep flies out . Additionally , artificial light shou be provided for the convenience of the caretaker . One 60-watt bulb , properly recessed and Pr ° te <"!; e ’ m each stall , plus lighting in the aisle , should suffice-
5 . Water Temperature - in the winter months , water
lor the horse should be warmed to 40 ° to 45 ° F .; the summer , it should be within the range of t > u to 75 F .
10 Horse
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