During the winter many horse barns are closed up tight allowing for a build up of dust and moisture in the air. A good building design would have both eave and ridge peak vents that run the length of the building. Natural ventilation occurs in a closed up barn primarily because of the difference in wind pressure across a building, and to a lesser extent because of a difference in inside and outside temperature. A natural system works best in a building with no ceiling but if present vents at the eaves and ridge (peak) of the roof help minimize heat build up in the ceiling.

Natural ventilation in a gable-roof building occurs primarily because of the wind blowing over the ridge, and to a lesser degree, because of the temperature difference inside and out. As wind blows across the open ridge of the gable-roof building, suction is created which draws warm, moist air out of the building and fresh air in through the eave openings. If wind velocity is great enough, the downwind (leeward) eave openings can also act as air outlets. On calm days, the hot, moist air still rises and eventually finds its way out the ridge opening. This chimney or `stack' effect accounts for only about 10 percent of the total ventilation, because there is not a great difference between inside and outside temperatures in most naturally-ventilated buildings, except on very cold days.

When ammonia odor, excessive moisture, or any dust is detected, windows or doors can be left open that allow for ventilation, but not allow the wind or precipitation in. Usually opening the windows or door on one side away from the wind will suffice. It is better to put a blanket on the horse while giving him fresh air than to maintain a warm but stuffy barn .

Summer ventilation is provided by opening up all the doors and stall windows, to allow a cross-flow of air. The ridge and eave's vents have little effect in summer in barns without a ceiling. For those with a ceiling these vents will greatly decrease the build up of heat in the attic.