The temperatures across the country all have one thing in common – they are high! It has been an exceptionally hot summer for some areas. Keeping our horses cool can be an issue. This can be a challenge for some facilities due to set up and cost.
The best and most cost effective way to keep horses cool is to get some air moving around them. Once it hits about 85 degrees, you may want to consider putting some fans out for your horses.
Horses keep themselves cool by sweating. When the natural sweating process is combined with a fan, it can really help keep a horse comfortable in the heat. A simple box fan is the best route to go. You can find most box fans for $20-$40 apiece. These fans can be mounted in front of a horse’s stall or above the stall. Either way, the cords must be out of a horse’s reach.
Electrocution can be a real risk for horses. Horses tend to chew on anything they can reach so keeping electrical cords away from them is extremely important. Worn out or exposed electrical wiring can put your barn at risk of a fire. Keep these things in mind when putting up fans around your barn:
- Keep all cords out of reach of the horse.
- Check the fans and fan cords for wear periodically.
- Replace the fans at the first sign of wear. Don’t take any chances.
- Buy agricultural rated box fans. These fans are specifically created to work in dusty conditions. The motors are protected from dust getting in and causing fires.
- Secure all fans with permanent metal brackets or strong bungee cords.
- Secure all fan cords with strong zip ties.
- Keep fans and cords as clean as possible.
Although these tips seem somewhat self-explanatory, you would be surprised at how often they are neglected. Take care of your fans and fan cords to keep your horses cool throughout the rest of the summer!
If you found this information helpful please share this blog post with a friend: Box Fan Safety for Your Barn
For more information on where to purchase the stall fan holder pictured in this blog post click on the photo.
