WHY YOUR HORSES NEED GOOD VENTILATION
AND DON’T NEED HEATERS
(ALONG WITH MORE GREAT FIRE SAFETY TIPS)
Here’s a wonderful article written by Cappy Tosetti which was published in Draft Horse Journal Winter 2006-2007 issue (Please visit www.drafthorsejournal.com for some fascinating history about draft horses and mules). My thanks go to both Cappy and the editors of Draft Horse Journal for allowing me to present UP IN FLAMES to you.
Cappy Tosetti is a feature writer for Draft Horse Journal and also freelances for other magazines with a main focus on equine health/wellness, agriculture, small farm marketing, gardening, food and travel. She divides her time between Surprise, Arizona and Lexington, Kentucky.
UP IN FLAMES
by Cappy Tosetti
Somewhere
in the darkness tonight, a spark will ignite in a barn, quickly spreading
across the floor, creeping into corners and climbing high up the walls to
the rooftop. There will be no mercy as it engulfs everything in its
path—bales of hay, bags of feed, tractors and tools, harness, tack and ribbons
on the wall. Trapped in their stalls, frightened horses will react
with fear in their eyes and terror in their hearts as their world comes tumbling
down.
Hopefully, it
won’t be in your barn, but circumstance could bring it knocking on your door another
time. To avoid such a tragedy, it’s best to take action right now with winter
on our doorstep, since the majority of barn fires seem to happen during the cold
months of the year.
It makes sense,
as the days grow shorter and it gets darker sooner, we tend to hurry up with our
chores, heading back to the warmth of the recliner in the living room. Humans
don’t relish the chilly atmosphere out in the barn, so we start plugging in space
heaters and close up all the windows and doors, forgetting that horses do just
fine out there this time of the year.
Their bodies
adapt to winter weather in many ways besides growing a shaggy coat. Each hair works
in unison, straightening up so it “stands on end,” forming a larger insulating
pocket of air between the skin surface and the harsh winter weather. This
is accomplished by a unique muscle attached to the lowest point of each hair follicle,
triggering a contraction when it’s cold.
Their thick,
blocky bodies retain heat for long periods of time, plus they have a massive digestive
tract that processes a mostly fibrous diet that generates large amounts of heat. They
also have the ability to warm up the frigid outside air in their long nasal passages
before it reaches their lungs. And that big soft muzzle is filled with a rich supply
of blood, alleviating any chance of getting frostbite.
To minimize
heat loss during cold weather, blood flow in tiny veins under the surface of the
skin is blocked and rerouted into vessels deep within the body that carry warm
blood to the heart, lungs and other organs. More magic is going on at ground
level. A signal goes off, alerting the body that the feet are getting cold,
so a direct shunt opens up, allowing more blood flow from the smallest arteries
directly into larger veins. Once their feet warm up sufficiently, the shunt
closes again waiting for the next signal. This same process happens in the
ears, muzzle and tail. There’s even something special that protects a stallion’s
genitals. Normally exposed to the outside so it can maintain a slightly lower
temperature during breeding season, the hairless scrotum needs added protection
on a cold, winter’s night. Mother Nature came to the rescue, providing a
nifty muscle called the dartos that simply puckers the scrotum up against the body—keeping
it nice and warm. How clever!
Many other physical
changes occur that help horses adapt to winter’s chill, enabling them to survive
and thrive quite happily outside the barn, even if we find it difficult to comprehend. The
important thing to remember is the barn is their residence—not ours!
As winter approaches,
many people have the tendency to shut the barn door tight, figuring it’s best to
keep things warm and toasty while out there doing chores and tending to the animals. Soon,
the air will stand still, causing a host of problems for the horses and safety
issues within the environment.
Fresh, circulating
air is vital for any living creature, especially a horse stuck in a stall, sometimes
24 hours a day during the winter. When all the doors and openings are shut,
inadequate ventilation can quickly cause the air to become stagnant, creating havoc
on a horse’s respiratory system.
Just about everything
in and around a barn can contribute to poor air quality, from the dust and molds
lurking in hay, grain and bedding, to the ammonia fumes permeating from urine. Then,
there’s a laundry list of other nasty pollutants in the atmosphere: fungal material,
bacteria and viruses, methane, hydrogen sulfide fumes from manure, plant material,
insect parts, moisture and gases.
The dust that
circulates in a closed barn can affect allergies in horses of all ages, especially
older animals. There’s also the chance of developing respiratory diseases
like influenza and strangles.
It’s important
to understand how proper ventilation in barns and stables can improve and protect
equine respiratory health. The ideal situation is when fresh air, or a barn
ventilation system, distributes quality air throughout the building without causing
drafts. This is important year-round. The moving air tends to sweep
away dust and mold particles, as well as airborne viruses and bacteria. It’s
paramount to keep the air circulating, moving fresh air from the outside into the
structure. That’s why open windows and vents are so important. You
don’t want to just move the existing air around in a closed-up environment.
“Quality air
circulation is definitely an important factor in designing and building a barn,”
says Joe Martinolich, AIA (American Institute of Architects) and Director of the
Equine Facilities Design division at CMW Inc., an architectural and engineering
firm in Lexington, Kentucky. “That’s why many of our designs eliminate the
traditional hayloft of long ago. It helps reduce the hazard where stored
hay could easily ignite and cause a serious fire, but it also provides a large
space for air to circulate. You’ll see a lot of dormer windows and cupolas
on the roof, adding a decorative and pleasing look to the design, but they also
serve a dual purpose by being able to open, allowing the exchange of inside and
outside air.”
It is also suggested
to construct a separate building away from the barn to keep large amounts of hay
and bedding traditionally stored in the loft. This solves the problem of
chaff (seed castings) and dust from the hay sifting down and triggering respiratory
problems in the horses below. Also, old hay and bedding have a tendency to
form a layer of material on the loft floor, providing the perfect environment for
mold growth, as well as a hiding place for rodents and birds.
“In an existing
barn,” Martinolich goes on to say, “this design feature might not be feasible,
but it’s worth investigating. There are other means of opening up a barn
to increase ventilation, such as adding roof vents or dormers. But even if
no physical changes occur to the building, the removal of large amounts of hay
will reduce the amount of dust and thereby lessen the risk of fire.
Safety is always
at the top of the list, whether Martinolich is designing a brand new barn, or offering
suggestions to friends and clients in updating older structures. “Sometimes
all that’s needed is a bit of sandpaper. Take for example the posts and pillars
throughout the interior. Do the corners form a square 90-degree angle? Are
there splinters on the edges? If you do nothing else, gently sand those edges,
getting rid of any bits of wood that can act like tiny pieces of kindling. Corners
that meet at a 90-degree angle tend to burn faster than a “chamfer” or 45-degree
beveled corner. Rounding those 90-degree edges not only reduces the fire
risk, but also softens the edges so if humans and horses bump into them, it won’t
smart as much.
This doesn’t
mean going overboard, carving a skinny post to a point where the structural strength
is compromised. It shouldn’t become an overwhelming project either, climbing
high into the rafters with bits of sandpaper. If a fire starts and spreads
in a wooden structure, pillars and posts will still burn. This is merely
one step in reducing one potential danger. Ideally, every barn owner should
regularly walk-through and inspect their stable, checking things off in a notebook—things
that can be done today to help reduce the chances of a tragedy tomorrow.
Plan – Prepare – Prevent
Like
everyone else with horses, you are obviously busy from morning until night
with your own laundry list of daily chores and responsibilities. Adding
another project to that list can sometimes be vexing, but in this case, it’s
important to take the time and effort, preferably with the help of an outside
expert.
The first people
to call are your local firefighters. They’ll be more than happy to come out
to your property and give you suggestions for making your barn and home a safer
place. Ask them to bring a fire truck so you can visually see if they can get down
the driveway and actually turn around. Discuss access to your barn in the
dark, availability of proper water resources and if they have any experience haltering
and leading horses. You might not be home if your barn goes up in smoke. Can
your local firefighters grab onto a horse and lead it out?
Ask them to
put on their full firefighting gear and walk up to your horses. Sounds silly,
but it’s a good way to see what kind of reaction your animals might have. This
is also a good suggestion for families with children. Youngsters are frightened
enough when a fire breaks out, and doubly scared when a giant masked “creature”
comes pounding at their door. Many times, little ones hide under the bed
where no one can find them.
This is the
time to ask questions. It’s also the perfect opportunity to talk about fire
prevention, safety and an evacuation plan if something does happen. Include
all family members, staff and volunteers working on your property. Also practice
evacuating the building with your horses. How swiftly and efficiently can
you get them outside to a safe pasture or into a trailer for a fast get-away? Practice
this in the daytime and also in the dark of night. Knowledge is a key ingredient
when it comes to safety.
Clydesdale and
Belgian breeders and brothers, Gary and Scott Nebergall, Arthur, Illinois, agree,
“Please don’t put this off. We know it sounds like a lot of extra work and
time, but taking these steps in protecting your home and horses is definitely worth
the effort.
“We all think
we’re pretty savvy when it comes to knowing about fire safety, but in reality,
there’s so much more to learn. We lost our brand new barn and five valuable
horses in 2000 with one careless act—something we’ll never forget. Part of
the building had some finishing touches to complete, including a small attached
apartment. We were in the midst of staining some cabinets, and left a pile
of rags on the floor overnight, figuring we’d finish up in the morning.
“The building
and just about everything in it was gone before dawn. It was a nightmare. A
fire is a daunting and devastating experience that rips out your heart and leaves
you numb.
“Fortunately,
five other horses did survive that night. As we huddled together close to
them with family and friends, we promised to build another barn; knowing this time,
fire prevention would be foremost in everything we did.”
Gary and Scott
contacted their local fire department, who eagerly met with them at their new property,
helping them locate the best place to build a new barn—near a good source of water,
and away from the prevailing winds that blow across the winter landscape. They
also incorporated a few new things into the plan: a steel structure, a separate
storage building for hay and bedding, a vaulted ceiling without a loft and exterior
doors on each box stall for easy exit and escape for their draft horses. There’s
also a halter and attached lead rope (with glow-in-the-dark reflectors) outside
every horse’s door (interior and exterior) for easy access, especially if an emergency
happens at night.
They also organized
a barn safety and fire prevention workshop at the veterinary clinic where Scott
works, inviting clients, horse owners, farmers and friends to learn more from their
local firefighters. “We wanted to do something positive. There’s plenty more
we can do—starting in our own backyard by observing and practicing a sensible approach
to safety and fire prevention. We can also schedule more clinics and encourage
others to do the same. It’s never too soon to be prepared!”
Jim Mehring,
a retired firefighter and chief from Brookfield, Wisconsin, applauds their actions. “Take
advantage of the resources in your own community. Give your local fire department
a call and ask for their help. We were always delighted to hear from individuals,
schools and groups, especially 4-H clubs and other youth organizations.
“Sometimes people
are afraid to ask questions or they think it’s a bother for us to come out and
do a walk-through. Quite the contrary. Your tax dollars are paying
for fire protection…and…prevention. It’s always better talking about fires
and what you can do to avoid them, than having to respond and report a tragedy.
“Your fire department
will give you a check list, plus you can do a simple search on the Internet, typing
in two little words: barn fires. All sorts of great tips and information
will pop up, giving you a jump-start in setting up your own planning and procedure
protocol. Review that check-list and update it as you make changes around
the barn and on the property. Your insurance agent just might be inclined
to lower your premiums if you install heat and smoke alarms, fire extinguishers
and a sprinkler system (with adequate water pressure).”
Here’s a start:
- No smoking! No exceptions! Not in the barn, hay/bedding storage area, tack room, back room, any room. Post signs inside and outside all doors. Put a butt can in your parking area so arriving visitors can extinguish their cigarettes.
- Keep things neat and orderly. Get rid of cobwebs, bird nests in the rafters, clutter in the corners. Wipe dust off light fixtures, outlet covers, switches and panel boxes. Sweep and rake all hay, bedding, dust and dirt on the floors daily. Wipe down stall doors and panels regularly. A clean barn is a safe barn.
- Inspect all wiring—hire a professional electrician if possible. Enclose wires in metal conduit or metal wrapped cable to avoid chewing by rodents and bored horses. Some dogs and even cats are prone to chomping down on wires. Don’t use extension cords unless absolutely necessary and then only use heavy duty grounded cords. Use them only for a particular project when you are physically there. Don’t leave them unattended.
- Light fixtures should have dust and moisture resistant covers, surrounded by a wire cage bulb protector. Motors—used on fans, water pumps and other equipment should have moisture/dust proof on/off switches and should not be within 18 inches of any combustible material (hay, bedding). A fire resistant shield should be placed around that material to protect it from any heat given off by a motor.
- Space heaters—one of the biggest contributors to fires—should never be operated near your horses. If used in tack rooms, heater units should never be left unattended—even the newer models that promise to turn off if tipped over. Many of them do not contain safety devices which prevent overheating. Heat lamps are another major source of barn fires. They are often place too close to hay and bedding which can easily ignite from the generated heat.
- Hay and bedding. Countless fires are caused by the spontaneous combustion in hay that’s baled before it is cured—wet hay can heat up and spark many a flame. Reduce the risks of fire by storing this material properly, preferably in a separate building away from the barn. A handy, smaller area in the barn is fine for daily use, preferably surrounded by concrete walls.
- Manure piles should be at least 20 feet away from the barn to reduce the chance of combustion fire. If possible, consider removing and spreading the much into windrows that can be turned into compost. (A cost-effective and efficient way to process this constant end-product found on every farm.)
- Avoid piling oily tack or hoof cleaning rags in a heap. They will heat up from the oil and petroleum saturation, and can easily catch fire.
It’s
easy to read this and conveniently think it will never happen to you, so
why bother? Just ask Brian and Colleen Coleman from Schulenburg, Texas. They
can remember their nightmare as if it was yesterday. “We were living
in Alberta at the time, breeding and showing Percherons and Clydes. Sadly,
on a warm January day, the manure pile overheated, sending sparks directly
into our wood-sided barn, turning things into a raging fire that destroyed
everything, including many of our horses, our equipment, wagons and tack. There’s
just nothing like it—fire changes everything in your life.
“Our new barn
here in Texas is a steel structure, and you can bet there are no manure piles anywhere
near the buildings. We’re also incorporated fire prevention into all aspects
of our operation. It’s the right thing to do.”
Often, things
are not in our control, even when everything possible is done to maintain a safe
environment. Belgian breeders, Tom and Dorsey Apthorp from Chardon, Ohio,
can attest to that. “Last year in January, Dorsey was at work and I was in
the hospital,” Tom sadly remembers. “It was midnight when the fire broke
out and ravaged just about everything, including the stallion, L & C Korry
(the sire of Korry’s Captain), owned by Earl Sorenson of Iowa. We lost eight
other horses, too.
“The cause of
the fire stemmed from a lit cigarette tossed haphazardly into the hay by an unknown
source. We’ve rebuilt and moved on, but our hearts are still heavy with the
events of that day. You never forget. You can only hope it never happens
again to you or to anyone else. Never take anything for granted—be prepared
and do your best in providing a safe haven for your family and animals.”
Like the phoenix
rising from the ashes, the Apthorps and others forged ahead, continuing to share
their lives with the animals they love. They took a tragedy and turned it
into a positive move, sharing their stories with others in hopes that fire sirens
will sound no more where horses live.
A special thanks
to firefighters everywhere putting their lives on the line every single day for
all of us. We salute you and invite you out to the farm anytime!
As an additional note, when Ed Scott (our knowledgeable hay man) sent us some great information for wildfire structure protection, he also mentioned this:
“Spanish horses, mules and burros here in Northern New Mexico are left in pasture through winter. This is the southern Rocky Mountains and in January can dip down to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. About the only extra consideration they receive is hay and breaking ice on the water trough if it gets too thick. We always feel sorry for them but they seem to survive and look fine in the spring. They hurdle together and under trees in storms.”