Lots of fresh air, enough light, and low levels of dust and germs in the stall are important for the long-lasting health of horses. A new Agroscope publication presents practical tips, background knowledge, construction measures and management assistance for an optimal stall climate.
Horses are good at coping with temperature differences. At 5 to 25 degrees Celsius they can keep their body temperature stable without expending any energy. Because this so-called ‘thermoneutral zone’ is far wider than that of humans, horses are substantially better at adjusting to fluctuating temperatures.
Enabling measures for thermoregulation
But even horses can feel the cold or suffer from heat stress. If a stall is organised so as to allow the horses to express a behaviour that is adapted to the situation, no additional measures need be taken by the keeper. Protection from the weather and sufficient roughage will prevent horses from being cold. This is because roughage supplies energy and boosts internal body heat via microbial digestion in the large intestine.
Keeping concentrations of harmful gases low
High concentrations of harmful gases such as ammonia in the stall are nearly always due to poor ventilation of the building. Particularly in winter, doors and windows are closed more frequently, often leading to the phenomenon of ‘winter cough’. This winter cough is not due to the falling temperatures, but rather to the deterioration of the stall climate. For this reason, older stalls often need to be equipped with active ventilation systems.
Outdoor climate stalls with permanent access to the outdoor area are recommended, as they make it easier to monitor the stall climate. However, they too require measures for moderating temperature extremes.
Further information on promoting good air quality has been compiled in the Agroscope Transfer publication ‘Das optimale Klima im Pferdestall’ (‘The Optimal Climate in the Horse Stall’), which can be accessed in French and German at www.agroscope.ch/transfer.
