Irish veterinary journal2026; 79(1); 41; doi: 10.1186/s13620-026-00367-x

Large-scale energy infrastructure projects and thoroughbred stud farms: equine welfare, evidence gaps and planning considerations.

Bayly, WM
·
Hodgson, DR
·
Leadon, DP

Abstract: Industrial-scale renewable energy developments i.e. solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and wind energy facilities, form a central component of Ireland's national decarbonisation strategy. As these infrastructures expand, they are increasingly being proposed or developed within rural regions that also contain high densities of Thoroughbred breeding establishments. This creates a potential interface between national energy policy, rural land use, equine welfare and the operational requirements of the Thoroughbred industry which is of national and international importance.Direct empirical evidence examining the effects of large-scale renewable energy developments on Thoroughbred mares, foals and youngstock on adjacent stud farms remains limited. However, established evidence from equine sensory physiology, behavioural science, veterinary medicine and environmental studies demonstrates that horses are highly responsive to noise, visual stimuli, airborne particulates and sudden environmental disturbance. These findings provide biologically plausible pathways through which construction and, in some circumstances, operation of large-scale energy infrastructure may adversely affect equine behaviour, health and welfare.Current Irish planning legislation does not specifically require equine welfare considerations to be incorporated into decision-making for developments adjacent to breeding establishments. This commentary argues that the absence of direct equine-specific evidence should not be interpreted as evidence of absence of risk. Rather, it supports a proportionate and precautionary approach incorporating equine-specific assessment, independent veterinary input, appropriate mitigation and site-specific planning where major renewable energy infrastructure is proposed in close proximity to stud farms.

Get Full Text

Publication Date: 2026-10-23 PubMed ID: 42920154PubMed Central: PMC13692952DOI: 10.1186/s13620-026-00367-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup

The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.

Facebook X LinkedIn Email Copy

Summary
Cite This
Publication
Affiliations
Conflict of Interest
References
Citations

Letter

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

This research article explores the intersection of large-scale renewable energy projects in Ireland and their potential impacts on the welfare of Thoroughbred horses on nearby stud farms.
It highlights the lack of direct empirical evidence on these impacts but stresses the importance of precautionary planning to protect equine health and welfare amid expanding renewable infrastructure.

Context and Research Focus

Ireland’s decarbonisation strategy relies heavily on expanding industrial-scale renewable energy infrastructure, including solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and wind farms.
Many of these energy projects are located in rural areas that coincide with the location of high-density Thoroughbred stud farms, which are nationally and internationally important for horse breeding.
This geographic overlap creates potential conflicts between renewable energy development, land use priorities, and the welfare of breeding horses.

Equine Welfare Concerns

Direct scientific studies examining how large-scale renewable energy projects affect Thoroughbred mares, foals, and young horses on adjacent properties are limited or lacking.
However, knowledge from several disciplines provides insights:
- Equine sensory physiology shows horses have highly sensitive hearing and vision.
- Behavioural science indicates that horses are reactive to environmental disturbances such as noise, sudden visual stimuli, and airborne particles.
- Veterinary medicine recognizes these stressors can impact horse health and welfare, potentially leading to behavioural changes or physiological consequences.
- Environmental research confirms that construction and operation activities of renewable infrastructure generate noise, movement, and dust, all potential stressors.
These findings establish biologically plausible mechanisms by which renewable energy projects could negatively affect the wellbeing of horses at nearby stud farms.

Policy and Planning Implications

Current Irish planning legislation does not mandate consideration of equine welfare in the approval process for developments near breeding establishments.
The article argues that the existing absence of direct, equine-specific impact evidence should not be mistaken for proof that risks do not exist.
Instead, it advocates for a cautious and proportionate approach that includes:
- Equine-specific welfare assessments conducted as part of planning applications for large renewable projects near stud farms.
- Involvement of independent veterinary experts to provide advice and evaluations.
- Implementation of mitigation measures to minimize noise, visual disturbance, and airborne particulates during construction and operation.
- Site-specific planning controls tailored to protect the unique needs of the equine industry in the area.

Conclusions

The study highlights a crucial knowledge gap in understanding how renewable energy infrastructure impacts Thoroughbred horse welfare.
It underscores the importance of preemptive, evidence-informed planning to avoid unintended consequences for an important national industry.
The article calls on policymakers, planners, and developers to incorporate equine welfare into the decision-making process surrounding rural renewable energy expansion.

Cite This Article

APA

Bayly WM, Hodgson DR, Leadon DP. (2026). Large-scale energy infrastructure projects and thoroughbred stud farms: equine welfare, evidence gaps and planning considerations. Ir Vet J, 79(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-026-00367-x

Publication

Irish veterinary journal

ISSN: 2046-0481

NlmUniqueID: 0100762

Country: Ireland

Language: English

Volume: 79

Issue: 1

PII: 41

Researcher Affiliations

Bayly, W M

Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.

Hodgson, D R

Large Animal Clinical Sciences, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (0442), Blacksburg, VA , 24061, USA.

Leadon, D P

Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, County Kildare, Ireland. dleadon@irishequinecentre.ie.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. All authors consent to publication. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

This article includes 29 references

https://solarireland.ie/news/scale-solar-2026.
KCC Planning Ref 22/111, KCC. Planning Ref 23/567, ACP-322797-25, KCC Ref. 23/567; ABP-318785-24.
Lesimple C, Fureix C, Le Scolan N, Richard-Yris MA, Hausberger M. Housing conditions and breed are associated with emotionality and cognitive abilities in riding school horses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011;129(2–4):92–9.
doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2010.11.005google scholar: lookup
Wickens C, Brooks SA. Genetics of equine behavioral traits. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2020;36(2):411–24.
doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.014pubmed: 32534854google scholar: lookup
McGee S. Behavioural reactivity and ensuing temperamental traits in young Thoroughbred racehorses (Equus caballus). Applying Equine Science: Research into Business BSAP Occasional Publication No. 35. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2006:129–158.
Nuñez CMV, Rubenstein DI. Communication is key: Mother-offspring signaling can affect behavioral responses and offspring survival in feral horses. PLoS ONE 2020;15(4):e0231343.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231343pmc: PMC7164835pubmed: 32302348google scholar: lookup
Cameron EZ, Setsaas TH, Linklater WL. Social bonds between unrelated females increase reproductive success in feral horses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009;106(33):13850–3.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.0900639106pmc: PMC2728983pubmed: 19667179google scholar: lookup
European Parliament and Council. Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of 18 October 2023 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources (Renewable Energy Directive III). Official J Eur Union 2023;L:31October2023.
Government of Ireland. Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Dublin: Stationery Office; 2013. No. 15 of 2013.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Working Together for Animal Welfare: Ireland’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2021–2025. Dublin: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; 2021.
Strauss M. Planning and animal welfare law: considering why planning authorities in the Republic of Ireland should have regard to animal welfare laws as part of the planning process. Liverpool Law Rev 2020;41(2):129–44.
doi: 10.1007/s10991-020-09246-zpmc: PMC7250536pubmed: 32836544google scholar: lookup
Government of Ireland. (No. 30 of 2000). Dublin: Stationery Office; 2000.
Riva MG, Dai F, Huhtinen M, Minero M, Barbieri S, Dalla Costa E. Impact of noise anxiety on behaviour and welfare of horses. Animals 2022;12(10):1319.
doi: 10.3390/ani12101319pmc: PMC9138043pubmed: 35625165google scholar: lookup
Powell BB, Horvath KC, Gilliam TL, Sibille KT, Keil A, Miller-Cushon EK. Behavioral and physiological reactions to a sudden novel object in the weanling horse: quantitative phenotypes for future GWAS. Genes (Basel) 2023;14(3):593.
doi: 10.3390/genes14030593pmc: PMC10048014pubmed: 36980865google scholar: lookup
https:// https://www.army.mod.uk/news/cavalry-horses-injured-in-london-given-respite-care-by-the-horse-trust/.
Greening L, Hartman N. A preliminary study investigating the influence of auditory stimulation on the occurrence of nocturnal equine sleep-related behavior in stabled horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2019;82:102794.
pubmed: 31732116
Henke-von der Malsburg J, von König U. Constant traffic noise affects the behavior and physiology of naïve horses at pasture. Front Ethol 2026;5:1802957.
doi: 10.3389/fetho.2026.1802957google scholar: lookup
Huybregts CN. Protecting horses from excessive music noise – a case study. Proc 9th Int Congr Noise Public Health 2008.
Huybregts. personal communication - June 2025.
LeBlanc M, Lombard C, Massey R, Klapstein E, Lieb S. Behavioural and physiological responses of horses to simulated aircraft noise. Ottawa: Transport Canada; 1991.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Road Construction Noise Model User’s Guide. Washington (DC): US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; 2006.
Roth LSV, McGreevy P. Horse vision through two lenses: Tinbergen’s Four Questions and the Five Domains. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1647911.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1647911pmc: PMC12392641pubmed: 40895790google scholar: lookup
Cargile JL, Burrow JA, Kimber RE, Wang C, Holcombe SJ. Effect of environmental management on horse and stable air particulate concentrations and on signs of inflammatory airway disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2012;26(4):957–63.
Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM). Guidance on the Assessment of Dust from Demolition and Construction. IAQM; 2014.
Young A. Wildfire smoke and horses. Center for Equine Health, University of California Davis. 2020 Aug 24.
Lansade L, Hartmann E, Minero M, Ruet A. Confinement, restriction of social contacts and movement in domestic horses. EURCAW Ruminants & Equines 2024.
doi: 10.5281/zenodo.13785436google scholar: lookup
Bradshaw-Wiley E, Randle H. The effect of stabling routines on potential behavioural indicators of affective state in horses and their use in assessing quality of life. Anim (Basel) 2023;13(6):1065.
pmc: PMC10044549pubmed: 36978606
British Standards Institution. Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites. Part 1: Noise. BS 5228-1:2009 + A1:2014. London: BSI; 2014.
Duchamp M. European setbacks (minimum distance between wind turbines and habitations). European Platform Against Wind Farms (EPAW); 2009.