Survey of selected design and ventilation characteristics of racehorse stables in the Pretoria, Witwatersrand, Vereeniging area of South Africa.

This research examined the design and ventilation characteristics of large stables in South Africa and found that many were built without adequate consideration to their potential effects on the horses’ health.

Study Design and Sample

• The study surveyed stables in the Pretoria, Witwatersrand, Vereeniging region of South Africa.
• Only stables that housed more than 20 horses in training were included in the survey.

Key Findings

• The majority of racehorses were kept in loose boxes, an enclosure in which they could move freely.
• Predominantly, the bedding in these stables was made of straw or sawdust.
• The horses usually stayed indoors while staff cleaned the stable.
• The mean floor area for each horse was 13 square meters, providing an average of 55 cubic meters of airspace per animal.

Ventilation and Climate Control

• The research found that the average predicted minimum air change rate during calm winds was 7.0 air changes per hour when ventilation was optimised.
• This rate decreased to 2.2 air changes per hour when the doors and shutters were closed.
• These findings suggest that stable design does not always consider optimal ventilation, potentially impacting horse health and performance.

Implications of the Findings

• The survey highlighted that many stables had been constructed without due consideration to factors that could negatively impact the horses.
• Improper design and ventilation may lead to an increased risk of respiratory problems and other health issues for the horses.
• It underscores the need for more comprehensive guidelines and stricter implementation of design and ventilation standards in horse stables.