Horse Barn Design and Layout
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Most horse owners are not aware of the critical importance of good design and planning for removing dust, excess humidity, ammonia vapor, and heat in horse barns. Horses, while very tolerant of the cold, become uncomfortable quickly when hot. When constantly overheated they can literally exhaust their ability to sweat, a condition that becomes permanent over time. Though most horsemen are familiar with a barn cough most do not realize, this may be the early harbinger of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or commonly known as Heaves. These horses cough when beginning exercise but then works out of it. This is caused by exposure too high a mold spore count. This article discusses some basic elements of barn design and location. Ammonia vapors when at levels below that easily detected by smelling are both irritating and immune suppressive, particularly to the young. Of course a comfortable barn is important to the people in the barn also. Past forum discussions on this subject and links to related sites on the Web are also included.

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