Horse barn temperature
Horse owners who use heated barns to keep water from freezing and to protect horses from cold temperatures during late fall and winter should remember supplemental heat can cause problems if used incorrectly.
Ventilation is important when horses are kept inside a barn, said Dave Freeman, Oklahoma co-operative extension service equine specialist.
“Closing up a barn to maintain heat may increase respiratory diseases, because of high ammonia content and bacterial growth in stalls,” he said.
Closed barns have increased humidity. This humidity combined with warm temperature can cause enough nitrogen smell or bacteria growth to irritate the horse’s respiratory system.
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These frequently result in chronic, minor respiratory problems that interfere with performance.
Freeman said controlled research is difficult because of the variability between barns and lack of controls.
However, many veterinarians attest to an increase in respiratory problems in heated barns with high humidity.
“The solution is to turn down the heat and get rid of the humidity by increasing air flow,” he said.
Some farm operators have reported beneficial results by installing exhaust fans that move air when the humidity rises. Freeman said these systems can be made automatic.
While the ideal temperature for horses is around seven to 17¡C, this range may not be cost effective, nor will it promote equine health.
Horses housed in warm environments will have less hair cover. Adequate hair cover is extremely important during cold conditions, providing the horse with needed insulation from freezing temperatures.
Freeman said one alternative is to keep barn temperatures at around seven to 12 ¡C and use blankets on horses with short hair coats.
Horses under artificial lighting for reproductive or show reasons will shed hair. Therefore, special consideration must be given to protect these animals from cold, windy and wet weather.
“Part of the problem with maintaining proper barn temperature is that people working in the barn often like it a bit warmer than is recommended for the horses,” Freeman said.
– Oklahoma State University
