Maximising the stable environment - covering aspects such as ventilation, flooring, bedding, lighting and the use of therapeutic tools for the stabled horse

Article by Adam Jackson

Horses stay in their stables for different durations based on their care, training regime, health status, and seasonal changes.  Ensuring your horse's comfort and well-being in their stable is crucial, as inadequately designed facilities can lead to injuries, health issues, and fire hazards. With horse welfare under the spotlight with the focus being on the keeping and protection of animals under the European Union review, there is no better time to look at how we can maximise the stable environment.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a serious irritant that can harm the respiratory tract and cause breathing difficulties.  Lower concentrations of ammonia can irritate a horse's upper respiratory tract, while higher levels may skip this area and lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the lower lungs.  Ammonia triggers inflammation, which increases mucus production and disrupts the function of cilia in the respiratory tract, negatively impacting the immune response.  When cilia malfunction, dust and dirt can accumulate in a horse's lungs, causing health issues and decreased performance.

Monitoring ammonia levels in stables is crucial, as levels should ideally be below 10 ppm, and an odour of ammonia typically indicates levels are dangerously elevated at 20-30 ppm, which can harm horses' health.  

Bedding

Ammonia can be managed effectively through proper stable management in addition to ensuring good ventilation. To improve the absorption of urine and faeces and lower ammonia levels, add extra dry bedding in the areas of the stable where the horse often soils.  A recent study has shown that even with regular cleaning, elevated ammonia levels can remain near the floors.  Using a combination of highly absorbent bedding materials and an ammonia-neutralising product can help lower ammonia levels.

Bedding made of pine shavings is excellent at controlling the ammonia levels.  The pine oil in the shavings tends to inhibit the bacteria that converts urine into ammonia, thus keeping the ammonia levels low.  In addition, bedding that has strong shavings provide cushioning rather than compacting together.

Stable floor setups

The type of surface on which a horse stands for extended periods can significantly influence its comfort, movement quality, and overall soundness. Consequently, it is essential to invest time and resources in choosing the appropriate flooring for your stables. Moreover, selecting the right flooring can enhance operational efficiency and lower costs associated with hygiene management and stable cleaning. Finally, conduct routine inspections of your flooring to guarantee safety and avert potential hazards.

There are two main categories of flooring: permeable and impermeable.

Permeable or porous stable flooring can consist of either conventional packed clay or a specially engineered geotextile membrane. In the case of the latter, the membrane layers act as a barrier between the horse and bedding and the underlying base material. 

In both scenarios, it is essential to install pervious materials on a foundation of well-graded crushed and compacted stone.  There are disadvantages associated with the use of pervious flooring. While packed clay is softer than cement or asphalt, it is prone to becoming uneven when exposed to additional moisture, particularly if deep bedding is not utilised. 

Membrane layers can also contribute to urine accumulation, leading to an increase in ammonia levels that negatively impact the respiratory health of horses. Furthermore, this moisture can permeate the underlying base material, resulting in the development of unpleasant odours. Another significant issue with this type of stall construction is the potential for groundwater contamination.

Stable flooring that is impermeable or impervious is specifically engineered to stop urine and moisture from seeping through. To facilitate the elimination of urine and faeces, it is essential to either grant the horse access to an outdoor space or to supply bedding that can absorb moisture and offer cushioning.  

It is essential to have a solid foundation beneath for the entire system to function effectively. Stall flooring consists of a base layer and an upper layer of material. If the base is not properly established, the overall performance will be compromised. 

Additionally, rubber matting is regarded as an ideal durable choice due to its ability to mitigate hardness, alleviate fatigue in the horse's legs, and simplify the cleaning process. Rubber mats may require a significant initial investment; however, they offer long-term benefits by facilitating consistent cleaning, lowering bedding expenses, and enhancing the health, comfort, and overall wellbeing of horses.  

A correctly installed rubber mat should be even and stable while offering a degree of cushioning. The market offers a range of matting options, including custom wall-to-wall installations and interlocking mats. It may be beneficial to explore mats that are thicker and more cushioned to provide insulation against cold floors and to minimise the risk of pain in the hip, stifle, hock, fetlock, and pastern areas.  

In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to install a drain in a non-porous stall to facilitate the collection of liquids. A drain is particularly beneficial in veterinary or maternity stalls that require regular washing. Drains should be situated near a wall, and the stall should be graded appropriately. If drains are installed, ensure that cleanout traps are included to capture and eliminate solid waste.

Ventilation

Good ventilation in stables is essential for removing bad odours, improving indoor air quality and humidity, which supports horse health, while also controlling temperature and condensation to extend the building's lifespan.

Horses are obligate nasal-breathers and grazing posture hinder their ability to effectively clear dust and debris from their respiratory systems.  Prioritising good ventilation is essential for maintaining horses' health, as it mitigates the risks of respiratory diseases caused by airborne pollutants. Failure to minimise airborne particulate matter like mould, mildew, and dust-borne bacteria can lead to serious respiratory diseases, including asthma, allergic reactions and upper respiratory tract viral infections (i.e. herpes, influenza).  

Another source of moisture is the condensation that develops within the barn.  Inadequate ventilation, especially from closed doors during cold weather, can lead to increased moisture buildup indoors.  The horses themselves are a source of moisture and with the more horses kept in for longer periods, the more condensation that is generated. Therefore, it is vital to refresh the air inside the barn constantly to ensure the health and well-being of the animals.

Natural ventilation offers the most affordable solution with minimal initial investment, zero maintenance expenses, and no energy consumption.  However, a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation can enhance air quality and comfort in a stable block. 

Installing air inlets low and outlets high in the barn harnesses the natural tendency of warm air to rise, improving ventilation efficiency.  To optimise ventilation, high outlet vents should be installed at the roof's ridges, where warm air naturally accumulates. 

During winter, the barn doors may remain shut to retain heat, while strategically placed vents ensure adequate airflow, and in summer, windows and stable doors may be left open to promote ventilation and comfort.  Using horse body heat to warm a stable leads to very poor interior air quality due to inadequate ventilation and the accumulation of ammonia and other gases.  In a well-ventilated, unheated stable with good air quality, the air temperature typically stays within 0-5° C /  5-10° F of the outdoor temperature.

A well-designed mechanically ventilated barn allows for precise regulation of indoor air quality, surpassing the capabilities of a naturally ventilated barn.  Power ventilation systems in barns often incorporate exhaust fans and high-volume, low-speed units strategically placed in main aisles, barn ends, or between stables for optimal airflow.  Individual fans in stables or aisles primarily serve to disperse particulates and repel insects rather than provide significant cooling.

If you are designing a brand new stable, the steeper the pitch of the roof, the faster the stale air will exhaust through the top ridge vents. 

Vents and grates at the bottom of stable partitions help improve air circulation, effectively reducing ammonia fumes from urine.  Stabled doors should feature grated panels to ensure both security and proper ventilation.

Water Supply

A steady availability of clean, fresh water is crucial for preventing dehydration and colic.  You can provide water in your stable using either buckets or automatic drinking bowls, depending on your setup.

Automatic drinking bowls can be costly and require installation.  It's difficult to gauge your horse's water intake, but you can minimise physical labour in the yard and make sure your horse has constant access to fresh, clean water.

Water buckets are an affordable choice and you can track your horse's water intake, but it involves lifting and transporting the buckets to and from the stable.  

Lighting

Horses possess an internal timing mechanism known as a circadian rhythm, which regulates various physiological and behavioural functions.  This internal clock is controlled by the daily 24-hour cycle of light and darkness and operates in nearly every tissue and organ.  

Scientific research supports the use of lighting systems that emit blue light similar to sunlight is advised for daytime use and a soft red light should be utilised during the night.  Enhancing stable lighting can optimise the horse's health and wellbeing by supporting its natural circadian rhythm.  All elements of their physiology can function more harmoniously and in sync with the environment.

Social interactions 

Recent studies indicate that private stables may not promote health and well-being as effectively as communal environments.  The results indicated that horses housed in 'parcours' exhibited minimal abnormal behaviours like stereotypies, had the freedom to move throughout most of the day, engaged with other horses, and maintained positive interactions with humans.  

Although this may not always be viable within training yards, stable adaptations can be made to increase social interactions. Windows in stables with views to other stables or paddocks allow horses to see and interact, even if they are not in direct contact, stall partitions with bars allow for visual and olfactory contact and individual turnout paddocks or pens allow horses to graze and interact in close proximity.  

Feeding and entertainment

Horses should ideally have unrestricted access to hay; however, using slow feeders or automated feeders are also available to provide small portions throughout the day.

Entertainment devices can also help stimulate interaction and engagement, reducing the chances of stress and the emergence of negative habits (vices).  Stable toys, mineral licks, stable treats, spreading forage in different locations, visual stimulation such as mirrors and brushes affixed to walls or fences all offer enrichment.

Technology

A range of technology is increasingly accessible to facilitate continuous care around the clock.  Technology has the potential to staff, allowing them to redirect their time towards enhancing equine welfare.

The integration of camera-GPS surveillance with specialised software monitors the movements of individuals and determines the typical behaviour patterns for each horse within the herd.  This cost-effective technology can alert yard personnel if a horse exhibits unusual behaviour.

There are a range of therapeutic technologies that can be utilised in the stable environment such as massage rugs, leg wraps and boots and handheld complimentary devices; as well as additional training and rehabilitation systems such as spas, treadmills, combi floors and solariums. All of which can be considered for enhancing the horse's well-being. 

Conclusion

Ensuring the comfort and well-being of the horse within the stabled environment by adapting structures and utilising enrichment tools can help prevent injuries, health issues and fire risks. By promoting best practice for keeping the competition horse and ensuring natural behaviours are expressed as much as possible within the training regimes, will only benefit the horse thus increasing performance results.  

How trainers promote best welfare practice across Europe

"Mens sana in corpore sano" - is a well known Italian phrase which translates to “a healthy mind in a healthy body" is a fundamental principle for every athlete, and racehorses are true athletes of the sporting arena. Just like their human counterparts, the performance of a racehorse depends not only on their physical condition but also on their mental well-being. The issue of animal welfare in horse racing is not just a matter of ethics or sensitivity, but the foundation upon which the integrity of the entire sport rests.

The concept of equine welfare extends beyond the mere absence of disease or injury. It concerns the quality of life of the horses, including their daily treatment, living conditions, access to open spaces, appropriate nutrition, and the ability to express natural behaviours. Moreover, it includes ethical training practices that respect the animal's physical limits, avoiding bad training and stress.

In the context of racing, equine welfare is scrutinised not only by industry insiders but also by the public and animal rights activists. Our focus in this section of the article is on the evolution of welfare practices in the leading countries of European horse racing: Great Britain, France, Ireland and Germany. 

The goal is to understand not only the current state in terms of equine welfare but also to identify trends and areas for improvement, reflecting on the importance of an ethical and responsible approach to these extraordinary athletes.

GREAT BRITAIN - HORSE WELFARE BOARD (BHA)

The Horse Welfare Board, inclusive of representatives from the BHA, racecourses, and horsemen, unveiled a five-year welfare plan in 2020 to elevate horse welfare in British racing. This plan is dedicated to ensuring a "life well-lived" for racehorses, with a focus on traceability, safety, well-being, alongside initiating the industry's most extensive data project. It targets enhancing health care practices, ensuring lifelong responsibility, reducing injuries, and fostering public trust through transparency and ethical practices. Additionally, the strategy commits to developing a Code of Ethics and advancing veterinary care and injury prevention. Importantly, the implementation team is collaborating with the industry on 26 strategic projects, backed by funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) since 2019 and a recent £3 million grant from the Racing Foundation, to realise these goals.

In the array of projects undertaken by the Welfare Board to bolster safety and uphold equine welfare standards, there are a few that stand out as being exceptionally cutting-edge, such as the: Thoroughbred Census, Equine Vision Project, Data Partnership.

Thoroughbred Census

The project aims to enhance the traceability of retired thoroughbreds, enabling better support for owners and the adaptation of welfare initiatives by British Racing and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR). It involves a six-month census, in partnership with RoR, collecting detailed information on retired racehorses to improve aftercare and respond quickly to equine disease outbreaks.

Equine Vision Project:

“We try to look through the horses’ eyes” - Mike Etherington-Simth

In 2017, the BHA and Racing Foundation funded research into equine vision to enhance hurdle and fence safety. Horses, seeing fewer colours than humans, struggle to distinguish between hues like red, orange, and green. The study assessed the visibility of orange markers on racecourse obstacles against alternative colours, considering how weather conditions affect perception.

Data Partnership

This project seeks to enhance racehorse safety and welfare by analysing risks and factors leading to injuries and fatalities on racecourses and during training in Great Britain. It utilises extensive data on races and training practices, employing advanced statistical models to identify risk factors. The initiative, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, aims to provide evidence that informs decisions and measures to minimise risks, directly contributing to the betterment of racehorse welfare.

FRANCE - FRANCE GALOP

France Galop is deeply committed to promoting high standards of horse welfare, aligning with the 8 principles outlined in the "Charte Pour le Bien-Être Équin". This commitment is evidenced through various initiatives, including the inspection of facilities by France Galop veterinarians for new trainers who have acquired their flat racing licences. These checks, part of the certification process, aim to ensure that the infrastructure is suitable for housing horses. In 2021, a total of 410 training centres were inspected by the veterinarians of the Fédération Nationale des Courses Hippiques. The vets also check for prescribed medications and substances on site, adhering to a “zero tolerance” policy.

IRELAND - THOROUGHBRED WELFARE COUNCIL (HRI)

“They have horse welfare right at the forefront of everything they do and I would say they are doing a very good job”  Joseph O’Brien

In 2021, the Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council was assembled to act as an advisor to the Board of HRI and assist in devising policies on welfare matters. HRI gathered 60 industry participants in a co-design project to create a manual called “Our Industry, Our Standards,” aiming to establish a system where welfare standards are verified and measured. These standards include good feeding, good housing, good health and good well-being. Additionally, the Thoroughbred Council is collaborating with IHRB, Weatherby’s, and the Department of Agriculture to create a traceability system that will ensure every horse always has a known link to the responsible person. 

Best-Turned-Out League

To promote and encourage the implementation of good animal care and welfare practices, HRI has introduced the “Best-Turned-Out League,” which aggregates these prizes from across the country into a league table with substantial prizes from six different categories, highlighting the impressive standards maintained across the industry. The primary caregivers, who are often lifelong careerists, are our industry employees. 

GERMANY - DEUTSCHER GALOPP

Deutscher Galopp, has notably advanced equine welfare within racing in recent years. Not only has it raised the quality standards of horse care within stables, monitored through surprise veterinary checks, but it has also started to develop an intriguing project that monitors the physical development of racehorses.

Physical Maturity Check for 2-Year-Olds Before Training

Deutscher Galopp has implemented regulations requiring that every horse must pass specific veterinary checks. These checks are designed to ascertain sufficient physical maturity before a horse enters into training. A second assessment is conducted shortly before the horse can start in a race, to confirm its physical fitness for competition.

For this section of the article, we canvassed opinion from a selection of industry professionals for their perspectives on issues related to equine welfare. 

Q: What role does horse welfare play in your training practices and what specific measures do you implement to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of the horses?

"The welfare of my horses is central to me; it is the most crucial element for the success of my business” asserts Seamus Mullins, a sentiment unanimously echoed by all interviewees who have long regarded animal welfare as a key factor from the outset of their careers in the racing sector. When delving into the practicalities of ensuring each horse's welfare is honoured, Joseph O'Brien highlights the significance of tailoring care to individual needs. "It's crucial not to generalise, as what satisfies one horse might not suit another," he explains. This underlines the necessity of adapting training and rest schedules to cater to their unique preferences and inclinations, guaranteeing their well-being and happiness.

Luca Cumani, who since retiring from training has remained active within the industry, including a term as a director of the BHA and as a pre-eminent breeder emphasises the importance of observation to understand each horse's psychological capabilities and preferences.

Seamus Mullins discusses the regular turnout of horses in individual paddocks while ensuring they are always in association with other horses. The stables are varied to suit different preferences, emphasising the need for regular updates to training methods and facilities to keep the horses in the best condition possible.

Peter Schiergen, Nastasja Volz-Degel, and Alessandro Botti all share this commitment to horse welfare, implementing daily routines, wellness programs, and training methods tailored to the individual needs and physical aptitudes of each horse. They focus on creating a comfortable environment for the horses, using modern facilities such as solariums, water treadmills, and magnetic blankets for massage, highlighting a collective effort to maintain high welfare standards in the racing industry.

Q: How do you educate your staff or team members about the importance of animal welfare?

"I always said to the riders: the relationship with the horse you ride should be viewed as a partnership, akin to that with your wife or daughter, and should be treated with the same respect and care" Cumani explains with a touch of warmth. The stable staff plays a pivotal role in the implementation of animal welfare, which is why, as the interviewees emphasise, it's crucial to focus on their education and enhance their knowledge to the fullest. "We want our staff to become better horsemen," states Schiergen. 

Beyond the training provided internally within their stables, some trainers, like Alessandro Botti, with the support of AFASEC (the Association de Formation et d'Action Sociale des Ecuries de Courses - which roughly translates to Association for Training and Social Action of Racing Stables), have decided to offer courses in equine ethology led by experts brought in from outside. This initiative not only sparked significant interest among their staff but also led to an improved approach to working with horses.

Q: The risk of injuries is an inherent component in all sports, including horse racing. What is your opinion on this statement, and what specific actions do you take to minimise the risks?

"Risks are everywhere, especially in competitive activities, whether involving humans or animals, there's a significant element of risk," are the words of Cumani, which also resonated with others we interviewed. 

The consensus is that, unfortunately, injuries are inevitable despite efforts to minimise them through practices and care that respect the physical state of the horse. "We try to minimise the risks by checking every horse before a race and during training, we never push the limit of a horse if he isn't ready enough” underlines Schiergen, “we have to get the message across that we are doing all our best to minimise the risks at all accounts”, adds Mullins.

Q: What role do you believe transparency plays in communicating to the public the importance placed on the welfare of racing horses in daily activities, and how do you ensure that this information is effectively shared with the general public?

“There are fewer and fewer people growing up with animals and in farming, and as a result, this is why we need to show through platforms what we do because things we take for granted, someone who has never been to a racing yard may not realise what happens,” says O'Brien. He adds, “It is important to give people access to behind the scenes, and this is why we try to be quite active on social media and encourage people to come to our yard, so that they realise the amount of passion that staff puts in their daily work.”

Public involvement, to make them part of the daily practices of stable life, is crucial, as our interviewees from various parts of Europe maintain. Thanks to numerous activities promoted by the racing authorities of the interviewees' respective countries, Open Day events allow the public to participate in stable life. 

Many trainers, like Seamus Mullins, have noticed a significant increase in participation in recent years, “Ten years ago, participation in the UK was about 100, while in 2023 it was more than 500. Moreover, people who participate often express surprise at how well race horses are treated.” However, all the trainers, like Alessandro Botti affirms, it is necessary to increase content on social media, to give the possibility to everyone, every day and in every part of the world, to participate in the daily life of horses in various stables.

Q: What do you think will be the future trends in horse welfare in Racing in the coming years?

All the trainers interviewed are convinced that the standards of equine welfare in racing are already very high. However, they unanimously believe that social pressure from activists will continue to grow, making it necessary to increase transparency and public engagement. Joseph O'Brien emphasised the importance of education: "What I think really has to be put to the forefront is educating people who are not involved in racing; this will be the biggest challenge." 

Given the insights on how Racing Authorities operate in terms of Horse Welfare and the daily interest and commitment of trainers, the trend seems to be very positive and reflects very high standards. It is essential, however, that countries collaborate with each other to inspire one another, further improving equine welfare practices, as Helena Flynn, the British Horse Welfare Board Programme Director emphasises "We love these animals and do our best to ensure they are protected, and thus it would be beneficial if the results of various state projects could contribute to inspiring everyone internationally." Therefore, the issue of equine welfare in racing is a complex mosaic of care, respect, and dedication towards the thoroughbred racehorse. Recognising and acting for their welfare is not just a moral duty but the foundation on which to build a fair, sustainable, and most importantly, animal-respectful racing industry.