Fan placement in horse stalls

Providing ventilation to horses stalled in barns is typically accomplished through natural ventilation with supplemental fans placed to recirculate or blow air into the stall. Often, the intent is to provide comfort for the horse during the hot summer months when wind may not provide enough air movement through the facility. This study seeks to examine the effectiveness of different fan placements and orientations within the stalls. In order to do this, temperature and ammonia data were collected by sensors placed in two stalls at a retired thoroughbred farm near Lexington, KY. The data addresses if the placement of the fan and the fan orientation (i.e. push air into the stall or pull out of the stall) has an effect on the environmental conditions the horse experience while stabled for the day. In addition, air speeds generated from each of the fan orientation was collected at nine locations in the stall at 4 inches (10 centimeters) and 60 inches (152 centimeters) above the ground. The air speed data was evaluated and then divided by air speed into one of three categories – still air, moderate air movement, and fly control air speed. Still air was the predominant measurement observed in the varying locations around the stall no matter the fan placement or orientation.