More Climate Characteristics For Optimum Housing
Previously, we mentioned that knowledge about the optimal housing conditions and existing systems and their application are important requirements for all horse owners. In Part 2, you could read about the consequences of a horses (bodily) characteristics that have consequences for the ideal housing. We gave extra insight about Temperature and Humidity.
This week we finish with Air and Light.
3. Air Quality
Problems that in some cases are attributed to lack of oxygen may actually be due to too high concentrations of certain gases, often associated with high temperatures and humidity.
Ammonia, for example, which is formed during the breakdown of urine and feces, reduces the resistance of the airways. Especially when fattening the ammonia content in the stable can increase. It is therefore preferable to fatten while the horses are away. The better the straw absorbs, the lower the level of ammonia.
A good way to assess the ammonia concentration is to breathe well for 15 minutes while sitting on the stable floor. A horse brings after all, quite some time time with their head down. If the concentration is too high, must be fattened more often, more sprinkled, manure storage can be removed from the stable, better ventilation, ....
The maximum standard for horse stables is 10 ppm, which is approximately the perception threshold for people.
Other irritants that negatively influence air quality are:
- dust and mold spores from the hay or litter or storage
of it,
- dust and mold spores from grain and grain storage,
- ....
The best results with regards to dust are achieved by shaking hay and feed outside the house, and paying attention that the bedding is of good quality. Another option is to sprinkle the hay with water.
4. Air Movement And Ventilation
While outdoors, horses will love to be in windy places. In the stable air movement is necessary for the removal of old air. The fear of many horse breeders for air draft is therefore in some cases unjustified. In principle an air speed of at least 0.2 m / s must always be sought in the stables to maintain good air quality. The air speed that is considered a draft
depends on the ambient temperature, the age and the coat of the horses. At 10° C, an air speed of more than 0.3 m/s can be considered as a draft while at 20° C this is only the case from 0.5 m/s. At more than 20° C a higher air velocity can even be experienced as pleasant. Especially horses with wet hair are sensitive to drafts. In particular, strong fluctuations should be avoided, it is the changes in air speed that can cause problems.
Ventilation is necessary to remove air from the house with water vapor, heat and gases and supply fresh air. The ideal ventilation distributes the fresh air all across the stable, ensures that the horses become exposed to irritants as little as possible and brings air fresh air without draft in both summer and summer winter. The air in the stable must be refreshed 6 to 8 times per hour, i.e. that smoke (e.g. originating from smoke patterns to make air movements visible) must have disappeared completely from the stable within 7 to 10 minutes. Ventilation can be done in a natural and mechanical way. Horse stables are usually ventilated in a natural way. The warm stable air rises and disappears through an opening in the roof. At the same time, openings in the side walls allow fresh, cooler outside air. The temperature difference between stable and outside air therefore ensures the ventilation. It should be noted that the temperature difference is uncontrolled (and must be) limited, so that the wind becomes the determining factor. That is why the location of the stable relative to the prevailing wind direction is extremely important. The ventilation functions best as the longitudinal direction of the stable is perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. This is therefore in Belgium perpendicular to the southwest, or a ridge northwest-southeast.
As a rule of thumb one can assume that the ventilation requirement per horse is 250 m³ per hour and that an air intake of 700 cm² per horse is the minimum standard. Larger openings are no problem as long as they do not cause too much draft. In many cases, the stable climate can be improved by simple interventions such as removing the upper door halves.
5. Light
Horses have a great need for light. Therefore, sufficient light is necessary for proper control and care. For example, UV rays are important for the production of vitamin D3, which is necessary to prevent bone disease rachitis (English disease). Also in terms of the reproduction cycle, light plays a role. Mares get stingy with the lengthening of the days, which can be done in an artificial way if desired. But also, horses that reside in dark boxes and have little visual contact with peers, will show behavioral problems. Stereotypical behavior such as weaving, crib biting and wind sucking often starts from boredom.
During the day, a minimum brightness of 15 lux is always required, this is the brightness with which people have just enough light to read. However, it has been shown that even 50 lux light is still insufficient for a modified hormone function. A more current standard is at least 80 lux in the range of animals. This corresponds approximately to one lamp of 100 to 150 W
per box.
Natural light is the most pleasant for horses and carers. As a rule of thumb for
the minimum size of windows or light surfaces in horse stables applies: a
translucent surface of at least 7% (1/15), but preferably 10% or more
of the floor area of the total stable. An even simpler rule of thumb in this
connection sets at least 1m² window area per box. If there is no direct sunlight (restricted by other buildings, trees, etc.), the windows must be larger.
South and southwest oriented windows should be shaded by a crossing
so that the stable does not heat up too much in the summer.
To keep them out of the animal's reach, fixed windows are at least 1.8 m high
placed (2.1 m for stallions), tilt windows at 2.4 m. When the windows are inside
reach of the horses, net or grille must be placed in front of the glass, or
the windows must be made of unbreakable material. In addition, artificial light must be in the form of incandescent or fluorescent lamps or other lighting are provided. Lamps must at least have an illuminance of 8 Watt / m², but 15 Watt / m² is recommended for control and
to be able to properly carry out work in the stable. In the case of fluorescent lamps
one may divide this by 5. Keep in mind the placement and distribution of the
lighting points that horses can cast large shadows.
Moreover, place them high enough on the ceiling or wall (minimum 3 m high) such that
prancing horses cannot reach the lamps. A protective cover ensures that the lamps cannot break should this still be the case (placement on only 2.1 to 2.4 m on the wall or 2.5 m on the ceiling). A minimum of 1 lighting point per 3 to 4 m is desirable in the corridor, plus
a lighting point per box, unless the partitions are partially open. In that
1 light point per 2 boxes is sufficient. It goes without saying that all electrical wiring must be protected against both horses such as rodents.
These were just a few remarks about the stable climate and environment as they are distributed by the Flemish government. Of course, every situation is different and you have to work with what you're given. However, I hope both you and your horse feel good with the quality of the accommodation.
Because #HappyHorsesJumpHigher
Koen
