Heating a horse barn is important if it gets cold in the winter. Especially if you have any sick animals, newborn foals, or horses whose body hair have been clipped. In general, all horses demand a proper barn with insulation and temperature regulation. The selection of the method used for heating a horse barn is very important. Failure in the selection of a proper heating method can lead to several problems. Improper heating can result in respiratory issues horses. However, raised temperature and humidity can lead to a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria.
Following are some of the most commonly used methods to heat a horse barn.
- Radiant heaters
- Forced air heaters
The selection of heating method demands much consideration as every stable has its requirements. Apart from the location of the farm, the size and infrastructure of the farm also play a vital role in the selection of a heating method. Every heating method has its pros and cons and the selection of the method depends on the individual farm needs. Radiant or infrared heaters are the most efficient heaters.
Radiant Heaters for Barn
Let’s take a detailed look into some of the benefits brought by the use of a radiant heater (also called an infrared heater).
The heat produced by a radiant heater is just like the warmth provided by the sun. It is soothing and comfortable for the horses. Radiant heaters do not blow air into the barn so they are not likely to cause respiratory problems in horses as forced air heaters. This helps in the prevention of respiratory issues and improves the overall health status of the horses.
Radiant heaters are lightweight and can be moved around easily. Moreover, this property of radiant heaters helps in targeting any area rather than heating the whole barn. It can help warm the areas that need it the most like aisle ways, dry-off areas, stalls, etc. They can also be moved to a certain stall or horse that is sick and needs a lot of heat. Radiant heaters can help cut the expenses to much extent as compared to forced air heaters.
Radiant heaters are less of a fire hazard as compared to other methods. They provide instant heat and do not warm the air as compared to forced air heaters. The heat energy is transported in the form of light. Reflectors are used to make them energy efficient and cheap. The efficiency of the reflectors varies between 65 to 95%. A heater with better design means better efficiency and lower cost. Radiant heaters help you control the temperature of the barn in real-time because there is no residual heat when the heater is turned off.
It should be kept in mind that unnecessary heat in the barn not only increases the operational costs but also leads to health issues. Proper ventilation should be ensured. Failure in the provision of an efficient ventilation system can result in high humidity and temperature that causes respiratory problems. Do proper research before selecting a heating method for your barn. Keep your barn size and other requirements in mind before deciding on a barn heater.
Forced Air Heaters for Barn
Forced air heaters are quite different in the sense that they work by pushing hot air around the barn. Air heaters are better for larger barns, as they can significantly make up for all the warm air that is lost through the roof and sides of the barn. Forced air heaters can run on either kerosene or electricity. They are more expensive to buy and also cost more money to operate. I would only recommend a forced air heater in extreme situations when the temperature drops to levels. It is good to have a forced air heater just in case the power goes out since you can run it on kerosene. You can check out the best forced air heaters here.
