How to Heat & Cool a Horse Barn

Providing a safe and comfortable shelter for horses is very satisfying for the dedicated horse owner. While it is true that horses can survive well enough without the comforts of man-made heating and cooling, in the case of show horses or animals that need special care, the proper maintenance of an even temperature may be necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Fans
  • Heating units
  • Insulation
  • Hose
  • Spray nozzle
  • Heat lamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cooling your barn begins with fans. You can attach a box fan to the top portion of each stall, pointing it down so that the breeze will cover the majority of the stall area. You can also purchase large, industrial-sized fans from your local farm supply store for main aisleways.

    • 2

      Hose the walls, floors and aisleways during especially hot hours. The circulating air of the fans in combination with the water will bring the temperature down markedly.

    • 3

      Shade is a must. Providing shade to as much of the horse barn as possible is a great way to keep the overall temperature down. If you can build your barn under tree cover, this will help. If this is not possible, you can make sure your ceilings are built high, as the higher the ceiling, the cooler it will be toward the floor.

    • 4

      Heating begins with sealing out cold wind. Make sure your barn is insulated if you live in a cold climate. Windows need to be close-fitting, as do doors. North-facing structures should be fortified against freezing and have extra insulation.

    • 5

      Use heat lamps in the stalls in the same way that you use box fans in the winter. Make certain the horse cannot touch the lamp.

    • 6

      In showbarns, or where there is a need for more heat than heat lamps or insulation can provide, special industrial heaters can be purchased and installed at each end of the barn, which will circulate heated air throughout the structure. These can be purchased from specialty farm stores and can be shipped to your location.