2012 Barn & Arena Guide

2012

BARN &

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TH

ANNUA

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ARENA GUIDE

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Welcome to the Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar’s Sixth Annual

Contents: 6 On the Fence

Barn & Arena Guide

16 Where Legends Were Made 26 Weathering the Storm 30 An Education on Ventilation 31 Index

WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT OUR SIXTH ANNUAL BARN & ARENA GUIDE. From battling severe weather to deciding what areas of our equestrian facilities should be offlimits to our horses, New England residents have a lot to consider when building and maintaining a barn. And with the unruly weather that we’ve had over the past few years, there are many precautions that can be taken to ensure your stable is safe. Also inside, take a look at the beautiful architectural detailing of the iconic Hamilton Farm.

Whether you’re building your first barn or are updating your facility, you’ll discover this supplement is filled with useful products, services, ideas, and more.

PUBLISHER

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

SCOTT ZIEGLER 508-987-5886, ext. 223

ANGELA SAVOIE 508-987-5886, ext. 231

EDITOR

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ELISABETH PROUTY-GILBRIDE

ERIN PALUMBO 570-878-9760

ASSISTANT EDITOR

OFFICE MANAGER

KATHRYN SELINGA

LIZ ROPOSA 508-987-5886, ext. 221

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

WILLIAM GREENLAW

SENIOR DESIGNER

ART DIRECTOR

NICOLE WELCH

ANGELA ANTONONI

GRAPHIC DESIGN

SALES MANAGER

WESLEY SHEDD IV

JOAN MCDEVITT

INTERN

508-987-5886, ext. 228

MARANDA KOLESINSKAS

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

CHRISTIAN P. LEATHAM 508-987-5886, ext. 222

CIRCULATION MANAGER

MICHELLE ROWE

HORSEMEN’S YANKEE PEDLAR

83 Leicester Street, North Oxford, MA 01537 phone: 508-987-5886 fax: 508-987-5887 subscription questions: 1-800-414-9101 www.pedlar.com A Publication of the Magazine Division of Morris Communications Company 735 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901

President Paul Smith

Interactive Director Jason Doyle

Controller Scott Ferguson

All contents copyright 2012

On the Cover: You’ve built a lifestyle that reflects who you are. You combine beauty and functionality and elevate them to the highest standards. Quality isn’t something to be proud of; it’s something to expect—of yourself and others. B&D Builders understands you. It’s how we live, too. We design and create equestrian facilities suitable for dressage and show jumping, with the utility buildings, landscaping and building mechanicals you need and desire.

Visit us today at www.custombarnbuildings.com COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOS COURTESY OF B & D BUILDERS

2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE • P EDLAR.COM

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FEATURE

ON

the Headline Subhead BYLINE

FENCE WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CREATING A PERIMETER FOR YOUR HORSE

By Karen Baril

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H ORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE P EDLAR • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

H

orses are smart.

They’ve figured out the number one rule of life.

The grass really is greener on the other side. This simple fact is why we, as horse owners, put a lot of thought and planning into our fences. While perimeter fencing is where we’ll spend most of our dollars, many of us also struggle with problem areas around trees, over muddy and icy spots, or shared fencing between paddocks. In the following article, Debbie Disbrow, co-owner of Ramm Fencing in Swanton, Ohio, helps us identify five problem areas around the farm and how we can safely fence them off.

Fencing 101

WWW.ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/TODD SMITH

Before we get started, Debbie shared a few basic rules that apply to all equine fencing.

“Whenever we talk about horse fencing,” says Debbie, “the number one consideration is containment. A good fence has got to be strong, durable, and safe. The fence must be the right height for the horses you own and the rails must be set at the proper width. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fencing the horses in or keeping them out of a problem area, the fence must perform its job of keeping your horses safe.”

Horses are far-sighted and tend to look beyond the horizon. Choose fences that are at least 54" - 60" in height for average sized breeds, higher for drafts or stallions.

The fence should be highly visible and strong even under tough circumstances.

Debbie realizes that most horse owners are concerned about aesthetics as well.

“Aesthetics are important. It has to look pretty, but it has to be functional. We became involved in fencing years ago when our relatively new fence began to fall apart. Before we made our purchase, we researched various companies and thought we’d bought a solid, attractive fence, but it began deteriorating fairly quickly… that’s how Ramm Fence began. You really can have a strong fence that is also aesthetically pleasing.”

Trees

There are many trees that are toxic to horses. Some, like red maples as well as several varieties of cherry, peach, and

plum trees produce deadly cyanide in their wilted leaves. Cyanide poisoning is often fatal.

Most fruit trees (apple, pear) can be toxic when horses gorge themselves on falling fruit and, of course, most of us are aware of the dangers of trees like black walnut, black locust, and horse chestnut.

Even the old oak tree can lead to tannin poisoning if horses eat the fallen acorns.

Trees that are toxic to horses should not be included in, or anywhere near, the pasture. There is no fence that will keep blowing leaves from falling into your horse’s grazing area.

Shade trees, on the other hand, are beneficial in any equine pasture. Pasture trees decrease stress by providing your horses with a cool, shady spot that is often free of annoying flies. Protecting those trees from your horses though, is a challenge as equines love to nibble on bark.

“Set the fence well away from the tree,” says Debbie. “It must be far enough away from the trunk to prevent even your tallest or most determined horse from chewing on the bark. Once the horses have nibbled the bark around the tree, that tree will die.”

Setting fences at least 8' - 10' away from the trunk is recommended. If it’s a young tree, you might want to set the fence even farther back to allow for future growth.

Your goal is to prevent the horses from chewing on the tree’s bark or standing on its delicate root system, both of which will eventually kill it.

A simple electric fence system will work to fence off trees, but keep in mind that if the tree is well away from an existing fence, it may be a challenge to connect it to an electric source. Alternatives include mesh and three-rail board fencing. Solid board fencing is both attractive and durable and is a good long-term solution.

Shared Paddock Fencing

Cross-fencing or shared paddock fencing represents a high traffic area. “Horses in adjoining paddocks with a shared fence line will play or tease each other over it,” says Debbie. “No matter how sturdy, this fence line will be your most difficult to maintain. We recommend backing that fence line up with electric. Better yet, create a lane between paddocks, if possible.”

Even though that seems expensive, Debbie reminds us that the payoff is in not having to fuss with the fence down 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE • P EDLAR.COM

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Muddy or Icy Areas

Trees used for shade are beneficial in or around the pasture, while others that produce cyanide should be cut down.

COURTESY OF WELLSCROFT FENCE SYSTEMS

the road. “Most of us believe in a lot of turnout.

Horses spend 50% - 75% of their time in the paddock or field. That’s more time than they’ll spend in the barn. Creating a safe, durable environment is going to pay off in the long run.”

“We also see the cross-fencing problem in barns with in-and-outs off stalls,” says Debbie.

“Normally, these small, outdoor paddocks share

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fence lines between horses. The only fence that will hold up under those circumstances are the metal panels, but we hesitate to recommend them in such a confined area. Horses can get stuck in them if they roll or play and they won’t break or bend. Using electric in these tiny spaces is also not an option as that creates an unsafe environment for the horse.”

H ORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE P EDLAR • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

We all know that mud wreaks havoc on our horse’s hoof quality. Keeping them out of muddy areas both for their own and the field's health is paramount. These wet, soggy areas turn to hazardous icy areas in the cold weather months as well. Debbie recommends temporary electric fencing for these areas—a 2" polytape or rope is usually a sufficient visual deterrent for most horses. Electric tape can be installed by just about anyone and doesn’t require any digging for posts. Step in T-posts provide the framework. You can move this temporary fence to wherever you need it as the terrain and conditions change.

Another alternative is to use round pen panels to contain the horses in a specific area, according to Debbie. “If you have just one or two horses that get along, you can set up temporary round pens in pastures to keep horses off muddy areas.”

Dry Lots

“Dry lots can be a challenge,” says Debbie.

“Sturdy fencing is important as most horses are going to get bored standing around in a dry lot. Having a decent amount of free-choice hay is mandatory in these situations. Too many people don’t feed enough hay and that’s when

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your horses will begin to test fences.�

Three-rail board fencing is recommended with electric tape or rope in between rails if horses are leaning over the fence or trying to put their heads through them to graze.

Think of dry lot fencing as perimeter fencing. It needs to be just as strong.

COURTESY OF BUCKLEY FENCING

Gates

Plan the location of gates carefully. It’s easier to manage horses that crowd if gates are set in the middle of a fence line as opposed to tight areas like corners. “Most accidents happen around gates,� says Debbie. “It’s very important that the right materials are used and that they’re installed correctly.�

Debbie recommends gates constructed of 2" heavy-gauge tubular steel with smooth slats.

Don’t use gates with Z-braces or any type of diagonal cross-bracing where a hoof or head could get caught. Turnout gates should be 8' - 12' wide to accommodate tractors and make it easy for horse and human to pass through.

Debbie has some final words on fencing for horse owners. “When shopping for fencing, I encourage horse owners to find a fence expert that knows equines and has their best interests at heart. The animals have a variety of temperaments. I’ve had horse owners say their mares act more like stallions and stallion owners tell me their stallions act more like mares. They’re individuals. It takes a horse person to understand the various ways they can test fences. “Although fencing represents a large initial investment, it’s worth it in the long run,� says Debbie. “Gone are the days when all of our neighbors had horses as well and would simply walk our loose horse back to his paddock. Be sure to provide your horse with the safest possible fence and remember to maintain it. Do semi-annual checks on all your fences and fix problems as they occur.�

Karen Baril writes from her home base, Pen-y-Bryn Farm in northwestern Connecticut, a paradise she shares with five horses, two dogs, a cat, seven chickens, and a husband who boasts a sense of humor. You can visit her at www. karenbaril.com.

It is important to use sturdy fencing in dry lot areas.

“Gates must be properly hung,� says Debbie. “When hanging the gate use only quality hardware and be sure to allow no more than a few inches between it and the post. Horses have a way of getting their heads caught in narrow spaces. Be sure to insert the hinge pin at the top facing down and the hinge pin on the bottom facing up. This configuration prevents the horse from lifting the gate off the hinges.

Most importantly, gates have to be sturdy and functional. A lot of people are not crazy about the look of the tubular gate, but they are the safest option.�

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FEATURE

The USET’s idyllic Hamilton Farm.

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H ORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE P EDLAR • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

Where Legends Were Made A Look at the History and Architecture of Iconic Hamilton Farm

By Lauren Fisher and Jennifer Wood

T



he historic farm that has been home to the United States Equestrian Team (USET) for the past 40 years turns 101 this year.

Hamilton Farm, in Gladstone, New Jersey, became home to some of the most renowned equestrians in the country when the USET first made the facility its headquarters in 1961. Although horses have not been permanently stabled at the farm in many years, the facility holds a special place in the hearts of many who worked and trained there. Hamilton Farm has a great history; it is a landmark and a symbol of pride for many equestrians in the United States. The majestic stable, beautiful arena, and scenic grounds are now mainly used to host clinics and special competitions, but the memories of the USET’s glory days at Hamilton Farm will long be remembered.

The story of Hamilton Farm began in 1911, when Wall Street financier James Cox Brady purchased 180 acres in New Jersey, just 50 miles outside of New York City. Brady bought the land for $100 per acre and it was said that he initially spent $1 million on building the property. He named the farm after his wife, Elizabeth Jane Hamilton Brady.

Construction started in 1911 and the barns were ultimately completed in 1913, with the main stable and headquarters of the USET Foundation of today built in 1916. The stable has been described as one of the largest and most lavish in the United States.

The famous horse farm is made of brick and concrete and is reinforced with steel. The ornate interior includes carriage rooms, tile walls, terrazzo floors and brass fittings. Fifty-four stalls on two levels were floored with cord brick and barred with wrought iron, and accents of stained glass, oak and pine were found throughout the building. The original layout included 40 rooms, including 10 sleeping rooms for the staff, an apartment for the manager, eight bathrooms, and

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erty to the Beneficial Management Corporation and Benico Insurance Group. The USET worked out an agreement with them to still keep their headquarters at Hamilton Farm and were able to maintain it as a top-notch facility.

De Nemethy chose to leave his post of team coach after 25 years, and things changed at Hamilton Farm. Many of the riders and horses that have competed for the U.S. since then work out of their own facilities. For many years the grounds have been used for clinics, educational events and competitions, but riders living and training at Hamilton Farm were gradually phased out.

The octagonal foyer, known as the Rotunda, leads to a In 2003, the USET became a split-level stable and the former carriage section.

Foundation for the purpose of raising funds for equestrian high performance programs, Team and first came to Hamilton Farm in and the newly formed United States Equestrian 1964. Ike has an office there, and has great Federation (USEF) emerged as the National memories of the many wonderful years that she Governing Body for equestrian sports. The USET has spent at the farm.

“This is a magical place,” Ike expressed. “The Foundation still has its headquarters at Hamilton Farm, along with the High Performance division stables are unique from anybody’s perspective because of their size, scope and the way they’re of the USEF. Managing Director of the USEF’s Show built. I don’t think anyone can walk through them Jumping High Performance Activities, Sally Ike, without thinking about the many, many famous was a member of the U.S. Three-Day Eventing horses that have been stabled here. I’ve had that

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recreation rooms. The central entrance leads through to a tiled octagonal foyer, with a splitlevel stable on the left and the former carriage house on the right.

Brady continued to add onto his estate, and it eventually reached 5,000 acres and spanned three counties. The stable grew in the 1920s, and every animal was an outstanding specimen of its breed.

Dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese were raised at Hamilton Farm, but Brady was especially interested in horses. His stable was filled with Hackney Ponies, hunters, coach horses, Shetland ponies, Clydesdales, and Percherons.

Although the farm was a great success and was considered magnificent to many, their operations were closed down and the animals were sold after Brady’s death in 1927. His family heirs kept the property for many years.

In 1961, one of the most palatial farms in America and the country’s equestrian team were joined. Although the United States Equestrian Team was formed in 1950, it had no permanent home to base its training operations. William Steinkraus won the individual gold medal in show jumping at the 1968 Olympics and was a member of the 1952, 1956, 1968, and 1972 Olympic teams. He stated that it was the effort on the part of Arthur McCashin, who lived in the Gladstone area and was another USET rider and member of the 1952 Olympic team, which brought the USET to Hamilton Farm.

The organization moved its center of operations to the farm and had all three Olympic disciplines—show jumping, three-day eventing, and dressage—training at the facility.

When the USET moved into the facilities, they practiced in an enormous, drained exercise ring that approximated the size of many of the major show grounds in Europe. It also included several thousand acres of fields and woods for cross-country work. In 1962, a large indoor facility was constructed so that the team could work year-round.

The indoor ring was 80' x 192' and was christened “Nautical Hall” in honor of the famous American palomino show jumper, Nautical.

Nautical was owned by Hugh Wiley, then of Towson, Maryland, who was a member of the USET and competed at the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games.

For many years the USET show jumping discipline was led by Bertalan de Nemethy, a former Hungarian cavalry officer and riding instructor at the Royal Hungarian Cavalry School. De Nemethy came to the United States in 1952 and became the coach of the USET in 1955. He retained this position until 1980 and was a large part of the team’s success during those years. He is credited with bringing a strict training regimen to U.S. riders that emphasized dressage and gymnastics.

In 1978, James Cox Brady’s heirs sold the prop-

is awarded to an active competitor who displays “consistent excellence in international competition, high standards of sportsmanlike conduct, while also serving as an ambassdor for the United States and equestrian sport.” The cup has been awarded to many exceptional riders since its establishment, beginning in 1980. Two of the sport’s greats, Tucker Johnson and Beezie Madden, have each received the award twice.

The Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy recognizes a Junior/Young Rider who exemplifies the USET Foundation’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship. Another long list of wellknown names has received this great award, including Mark Leone, Jeffery Welles, Brianne Goutal, and Hillary Dobbs.

Hamilton Farm is also home to the trophies for the prestigious Platinum Performance/ USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals, a competition held each year to showcase the most promising up-and-coming stars in

The stalls and aisle ways of the facility were completely reconstruced in 2009.

feeling from the first day I came here in 1964, and I still do when I come to work every day.”

The famous trophy room that Brady built above the foyer is a focal point of the stable. An article from the Newark News magazine in 1961 said that he built a fancy upstairs trophy room because he “enjoyed showing his horses to his guests and had glass panels set in the floor of a room above the stable so that they could watch the horses parading on a red carpet on the stable floor below.”

Currently in the trophy room, there are story

SUE STICKLE

COURTESY OF THE USET FOUNDATION

A view of the outdoor arena, where many competitions, including USEF Talent Search Finals East, take place.

boards and photos chronicling the history of the U.S. equestrian teams and medals won at world championships and Olympic Games, as well as the trophies and ribbons from their performances in international competition.

The trophy room is also home to many of the USET’s most prestigious awards. The Whitney Stone Cup, the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, the John H. Fritz Cup, the Denali Memorial Perpetual Trophy, and the French Leave Memorial Perpetual Trophy are all housed there.

Presented each year, The Whitney Stone Cup

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the discipline.

In 1956, the USET created a medal class at horse shows for junior riders to compete in.

The USET Medal Finals were envisioned in 1982, and have been held at Hamilton Farm in the fall every year. The Finals were eventually changed to the USET Talent Search. The (now Platinum Performance/USEF) Show Jumping Talent Search has become a very special class and is quite a significant event for young riders today.

The Talent Search Finals are held on both the East and West Coasts and award their own special trophies to those winners. Part of the Hamilton Farm collection, the Denali Memorial Perpetual Trophy, is presented each year to the winner of the West Coast Finals and the French Leave Memorial Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the East Coast Champion. The talented young riders who capture the titles each year hope to follow in the footsteps of the many legends before them to represent the United States in international competition.

Hamilton Farm has had many highlights in a long and storied career as host to some of the best horses and riders in American history.

Throughout it all, the facility has remained elegant and commanding. Hopefully, many will continue to support this grand old place and keep it as the historical landmark that it has become.

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FEATURE

WEATHERING THE STORM EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR ADVERSE CONDITIONS

By Lindsay M. Joslyn LIKE A BAD DREAM, Jeffrey Lipton and many other New England farm owners couldn’t keep up with the devastating effects of last year’s turbulent weather. If it wasn’t record-breaking snows, it was Hurricane Irene, or the sky-darkening tornados that decimated countless barns and properties.

Not only did these storms cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, they cost the lives of some well-loved horses.

“We couldn’t keep up with the snow,” said Lipton, owner of Pleasant View Farms in Somers, Connecticut. “We were taking our lives in our hands, trying to shovel the snow off the roofs, but it just kept coming and coming.” Lipton lost three structures last winter and he wasn’t the only one.

According to the town’s Second Selectman Kathy Devlin, a total of 42 barns were destroyed and more than a few prized horses were lost last winter in Somers alone.

Somers, Connecticut, is just one of the thousands of towns all over the Northeast that suffered greatly from uncontrollable environmental stresses last year. If we can learn anything from the example of loss in Somers, it’s that New England weather is and will continue to be harsh and unpredictable. With a forecast that Mother Nature can change on a whim, the only way to try to prevent substantial damage and suffering is through preparation. This way, when your horses start circling nervously in their stalls and the winds of a coming storm start swirling, you can feel as confident as possible knowing you’ve taken the extra steps toward protecting your property and equine inhabitants.

When it comes to stormy weather, one of the most vital and often neglected parts of farm structures, which can include your barn or indoor arena, is the roof. Albert Hendrickson, Field Supervisor for national roofing company Centrimark, recommends a Preventative Maintenance Inspection twice a year. “You want to inspect your roof before winter to make sure you’re all set, and then again in the spring to check for any underlying damage that may have occurred after winter.” These inspections could highlight potential problems or structural weaknesses before the roof experiences the stress of snow, wind or rain.

George Schlough, President of Baltic Roofing, also recommends inspections.

“After a while, materials deteriorate.”

Schlough points out that in winter months ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/RYAN MORGAN

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H ORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE P EDLAR • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE • P edlar.com

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©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DAN BRANDENBURG

the formation of ice dams on roof edges prevents proper snow slide off. “Ice dams are caused by underlying snow melt that freezes on the colder, overhanging edges of the roof.” These ice dams cause snow to build up over many storms, increasing the weight burden on structural support beams, and play a major part in roof collapses. When trying to minimize ice dams, Schlough says, metal roofing is the way to go.

“What people often don’t know is that snow is translucent. The sun shines through it and warms the metal, softening the ice and snow.”

This softening allows the snow to slide off the metal roof much easier than a shingled roof.

Schlough adds that some states allow an electric heat tape to be applied to roof edges, facilitating snow removal.

If snow is piling up on your roof, pay attention to signs of structure stress. These signs can include cracking or popping noises, curving support beams and wall or masonry cracks. Schlough warns that barn owners, “need to remove some of the snow,” but cautions people with metal roofs not to climb up on top to remove it themselves.

“If you have a metal roof, call a roofing company or hire a handyman to help you. If you have a shingled roof, you can use a snow rake to lighten the load.”

Last year The Massachusetts Official Website of 28

the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) posted a Public Safety Advisory warning barn owners of possible indications of potential roof collapse. Signs include doors or windows that become difficult to open and water collecting where it never has before. The safety advisory clearly states that if you feel as though your barn is in immediate danger, evacuate and call 911.

The Public Safety Advisory lists some preventative measures barn owners can take in addition to structural safety inspections. Some of these maintenance measures include safely removing large, overhanging icicles, keeping drains and gutters clear, and clearing snow away from all exhaust or furnace vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The advisory warns not to use a heat gun or torch to melt any ice or snow as that is a fire hazard.

Preventative maintenance is not only important for the physical structures on your property but for the environmental features too. Trees that surround your barn, paddocks, and arenas can be cause for concern. Michael Smith of ABC Professional Tree, LLC, says just like you would properly maintain your barn, you need to do regular safety upkeep on the trees surrounding your property before and after storms. “Check for broken limbs, decay, or holes,” he says.

“Even stronger trees, like oak, can break

H ORSE ME N’ S Y A NKEE P EDLAR • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

Updating your barn with smoke detectors and heat sensors can help prevent fires from occurring.

under stress.” Smith says proximity of trees to your farm structures is also important when considering adverse weather. “If a tree is 80' high it needs to be 80' away from your barn or residence.” This distance can ensure minimal risk of one coming down on your roof or fences. Along with trees, keep in mind your barn and paddocks’ proximity to power lines. A downed wire, even if it looks dead, could spell tragedy for horse and human alike.

Structural and environmental maintenance will go a long way in protecting your barns or indoor arenas from inclement weather but there are additional ways to prepare your property, including any outdoor riding areas. If you have adequate warning of a pending storm, collect your jump standards and outdoor riding ring equipment and put them in a safe place. If left in severe weather, they could not only be damaged but in the right conditions, become hazardous objects. Pick up anything that could become a soaring missile in high winds or tornados, especially metal farm equipment. If you don’t use your outdoor arena in the winter, consider covering the footing with protective

tarps to minimize seasonal wear and tear. Proper drainage can also help prevent footing run-off with snow melt or rain.

Michael Strassner, DVM and owner of The Massachusetts Equine Clinic in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, knows first hand the havoc high winds can cause. “Flying metal debris can potentially cut and harm your horse,� he says. “Make sure your horses are current on their vaccines, especially tetanus and rabies.� Because of these dangers and any unforeseen circumstances that come along with bad weather, horse owners need to keep and regularly stock up their first aid kits. Strassner warns that several past storms left downed trees or power lines blocking the roads and says, “During or after a storm your veterinarian might not be able to physically get to you, so it’s important to have plenty of bandaging materials and Banamine on hand.�

If all of these concerns weren’t enough to be worried about, there are also complications of weather, such as a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. Lightning may be beautiful streaking across a purple sky, but when a bolt fixes its wrath on your barn, the end result may be fire. The Humane Society of The United States (HSUS) lists preventative and preparedness guidelines for such an emergency.

Such measures include keeping barn aisles free and clear, mounting fire extinguishers at each entrance of your facility, and hosting an open house for all area emergency personnel so they can learn the layout of your property. The Humane Society likewise recommends new heat sensors. Heat sensors can alert you with a loud siren of quickly changing temperatures inside the barn. Smoke detectors and batteries should be checked regularly to make sure they are in working order.

Another probable complication due to a hurricane or heavy rain is flooding. If a storm with the potential for massive amounts of precipitation is headed your way and your barn is located in a flood zone, consider moving your horses to another facility. Most safety guidelines advise people with horses to evacuate 48 hours before a squall hits so that you have plenty of time to safely reach your destination and unload your horses. If transferring your horses is not an option, sand bags and/or a submersible pump may be crucial in saving materials that could be damaged by water.

Be ready to lose power. “One of our biggest issues after Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm [of 2011] was power outages. The outages left some barns with no access to water.

So make sure you have plenty of food and water on hand,� says Strassner. If you feel you might lose power for an extended period of time, fill up a gas can and store it in a safe place for future emergency use. Having gas on hand will enable you to run vital equipment such as chainsaws for tree-limb removal or a generator

“We Were taking our lives in our hands, trying to shovel the snoW off the roofs, but it just kept coming and coming.�

Versatility meets affordability.

~Jeffrey Lipton

for operating electrical equipment. Generators can furthermore run lights or aid in pumping a well for water. Having gasoline readily available would also prevent the need to travel dangerous roads. Use caution when working a generator or anything else that produces harmful exhaust, and do not run these machines indoors as you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.

Another way to be prepared for the unpredictability of Mother Nature is simply through organization. If you need to lead a horse out of the barn in the middle of the night, you don’t want to be frantically searching for a halter.

Have the correct halter and lead rope hanging within easy reach of his stall. Similarly, have flashlights with extra batteries stored in a secure place and program emergency numbers, such as your local fire department and veterinarian’s office into your cell phone.

Watching the weather, staying informed, and planning ahead for any possible storm situation are all ways to stay safe. Technology is a tool that should be utilized as well. The Internet can provide up-to-the-minute weather information and some cell phones can be programmed with storm alert applications, potentially providing farm owners with a few extra minutes of precious time.

When asked what his best advice is for other farm owners, Lipton, whose total structure losses added up to 20,000 square feet, answered, “Insurance. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover replacing what you could lose.� Take into account any improvements or additions you make to your property and adjust your insurance accordingly. If your farm is your main source of income, the difference between being properly covered and not can mean further losses in your ability to generate revenue.

Like Lipton, sometimes you can’t shovel fast enough. Sometimes, despite your efforts, the weather will outpower your best preparations.

While our ability to forecast the weather is constantly improving, Mother Nature can still surprise us. Taking the advice of seasoned professionals and being proactive in securing your property could potentially save you both cash and heartache.

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29

An

Education on Ventilation

Installing dutch doors or windows in your horse’s stall will allow for more airflow.

Protect Your Horse from resPiratorY Problems and otHer HealtH issues caused bY Poor airflow

By Heather smith thomas

U

nless a barn or stable is well ventilated, horses are better off outdoors, even in cold or stormy weather. A poorly venti— lated barn is always unnaturally damp and dusty, which can lead to respiratory problems. Young foals are especially vulner— able to the effects of inadequate ventilation, since their lungs and immune systems are not yet fully developed. Stalls with poor airflow harbor contaminants suspended in the air— dust from feed or bedding, mold spores, and ammonia from urine and wet bedding. These 30

irritants may cause inflammation in the lung and airway linings, opening the way for inva— sion by viruses and bacterial infections. Some contaminants may cause allergic responses in horses, compromising respiratory health and producing performance—limiting problems that are often lumped together under the term COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as heaves).

Laurent Viel, DVM, MSc, PhD, a professor at University of Guelph, says stabled horses are always exposed to a higher level of dust in their environment. Even if a barn is ventilated, there

H orse me n’ s Y a nkee P edlar • 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

is more dust trapped in an enclosure than the horse would be breathing outdoors. Therefore proper aeration is extremely crucial to respira— tory health.

“In general, older style barns were poorly ventilated, and usually a disaster in terms of dust level. Many of the barns built prior to the 1980s were built for cattle use and often the people who bought those farms for equines adapted the barns by building horse stalls in them—usually box stalls, with complete parti— tions, and no way for air to circulate between them,” says Viel.

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“Many of these barns and stables don’t have many windows, so this limits options for ventilation. There is no way to bring in fresh air and take the old air out. In many stables, people tend to use just a simple form of natural ventilation— opening the door at one end of the barn or the other, and that’s the only airflow,” says Viel.

The reason we see so many horses with allergic airway disease or heaves is mainly due to improper barn ventilation, which holds all the dust and poor quality air within the building.

Horse owners tend to keep their animals stabled for 5 or 6 months of the year; they spend more time indoors than outdoors during those months.

In winter, people want to keep the barn warm, for their own comfort, and also to keep show horses from growing a long winter hair coat.

It’s difficult to have adequate ventilation under these conditions—when trying to keep a barn heated. Keeping the barn warm to facilitate a short hair coat is an aesthetic matter and ignores health issues.

In a modern barn, the stalls should be designed specifically with the best interests of the animals in mind. “Even though we have improved the design of horse barns and have made them more beautiful, ventilation is still sometimes inadequate. We give each stall a window, which is good, but the stall should not be closed up at the top or bottom. The door at the front of the stall should be open at the bottom—not closed up at the floor. The most important reason we want it open at the bottom is that in any stall the dust levels and ammonia are greatest in the lowest 3'. This has been well demonstrated by several studies done by research institutions,” he says.

Even if you have a door that is half open at the top, you still don’t get good stall ventilation because the bottom doesn’t have enough airflow. It is very important that there is air coming from the floor upward. The cold air always settles to the bottom in an enclosure, and warm air rises. If there is no current to move the lower air upward, the air nearest the ground level is always of poor quality. If a horse lies down, he has no choice but to breathe air laden with dust and ammonia. To improve ventilation we need to create air movement to circulate it, pushing it from the bottom of the stall on out.

“If you do have circulation of air from the bottom up, some of the dust will settle and some will be moving into the ventilation path.

If there is a window open in that stall, cold air will come in the window, go to the ground and circulate toward the output (out under the stall door, for instance). Every barn should have not only an inlet but also an outlet, so the air can move through,” says Viel.

Opening a door on each end of the alley may not be enough. It depends on which direction the wind comes from. If it’s from the east it will

move west, and if this is the way your barn is situated, that’s fine. But if the wind comes from the south and this is where the windows are located, it will come in the windows and all the dust will go into the other side of the barn, into those horse’s stalls, since their windows would be the air outlet. “You may have improved one side of your stable but may have made the other side of the barn more dusty—giving the horses on that side 100% more dust in their stalls,” he explains.

Natural ventilation thus has its limits. It depends on where your barn is located relative to the prevailing winds. In winter, you may not want to open the doors at each end of the aisle because it’s so cold outside. “When horse owners build a new facility, they should have an engineer look at the airflow and design an ideal inlet and outlet. When renovating an old barn, look at the structure of the building. A good engineer could tell you what you’d need to assist the natural airflow before you spend a lot of money on changes or equipment. He could tell you where the fans should be located and what that would do, for instance,” says Viel.

If the barn has less than ideal construction you can use fans, placing them in the best locations to maximize airflow. Someone who knows about ventilation engineering could advise you on where you need more air coming in and where it should go out. He could give you a better idea about where to place the fans and what kind to use, what windows should be open and maybe where some outside vents should be opened, rather than using a fan. You may be able to improve the natural ventilation without having to go through unnecessary expenses. You can make the best of what you have, with the least cost.

“Horsemen need to learn more about ventilation from the swine and poultry industries.

They have perfected their ventilation systems to create a healthy environment for those animals.

They are concerned not just about dust but also the pathogen load in the enclosed area, so they have done an amazing job and their barn ventilation designs are very sophisticated,” explains Viel.

Whether you are building a new stable or renovating an older barn, it would pay to contact someone like this who could advise you on proper ventilation, or show you how to improve on what you already have.

For people who want a warmer barn with adequate ventilation, it helps to take a look at the swine industry, because those producers have many years of experience. Swine producers need to maintain a constant temperature for the pigs and still have good ventilation while keeping costs low. “So they have a very efficient ventilation system with good air circulation and filtering of the air, which is outstanding,” Viel says.

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Rocky Knoll Stables shares their ClearSpan™ Experience David and Carolyn Vadeboncoeur are happy to help their daughter, Ariel V Channell, run Rocky Knoll Stables. While Ariel handles the day-to-day chores, lessons and training, David assists with chores and maintenance and Carolyn provides support to keep everything running smoothly. In order to expand the business, Ariel needed to find a way to work around the cold and snow of Vermont winters. Carolyn explains, “We didn't ride much in the winter due to the snow and ice. We had to have an indoor riding arena to develop the business and to keep our animals working all winter to be ready for show season.”

After conducting research on the internet, the economical price of ClearSpan Fabric Structures led Ariel to purchase an 83' x 165' ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch building for use as an indoor riding arena. With the existing wooden barn located too far away from the site where the arena was to be located, “we needed stalls closer to the new ClearSpan arena,” says Carolyn. To solve this problem, as well as add more space to the business, Ariel bought a 28' x 48' ClearSpan Storage Master SolarGuard building to use for more horse stalls and tack rooms.

What most surprised Ariel and her parents about the buildings is the light that passes through the fabric walls. “The light is totally amazing.” Carolyn adds, “We expected it to be light, but it has surpassed our expectations.” She also notes, “We’ve been pleased by the special attention we’ve received from ClearSpan representatives” to fix any issues that have come up along the way.

Using a little ingenuity, she explains that David, a “physicist, turned ‘pharmer’ (his spelling, of course), designed a tunnel between the two buildings” to further protect horses and people from the elements.

By purchasing these two buildings, Ariel was able to add an indoor riding arena, six horse stalls, four pony stalls, two tack stalls and one wash stall to Rocky Knoll Stables. For the goal of expansion, Carolyn says, “the ClearSpan buildings are suiting our purposes just fine.”

Equestrian center expands with a ClearSpan™ Indoor Riding Arena When Katie and Gary McClure built a new barn on their property three years ago, they decided to open their own boarding facility. Their next step was to look into indoor riding arena options. Katie explains, “In order to have a good boarding facility, we needed to have an indoor arena.” She continues, “I also always wanted to have my own indoor arena. We are located in Northeast Ohio and we experience winter weather from November until April; I almost had to stop riding in those months.”

They compared the prices of metal, wood and fabric buildings, and discovered that fabric structures were the most economical of the three building types. Katie was also attracted to the fact that fabric structures do not require daytime artificial light. She says, “Metal and wood buildings have to be lit basically anytime you’re in the building, day or night.” They chose a 72' x 160' ClearSpan Hercules Truss Arch Building.

The ClearSpan indoor riding arena is working out well for the McClures. As well as offering it as part of their boarding services, they are also able to rent arena time.

Katie says, “Horses that have never been in an indoor arena adjust really well to it. There are no dark corners or shadows for the horses to be afraid of. The arena is very bright, which makes it very nice to ride in.” The height and openness also allow them to set up jumps without worrying about riders hitting their heads.

A true test of the durability of their ClearSpan arena is how well it withstands the weather. “We have had over 100" of snow in the past two months and it has held up with no problems,” explains Katie. She continues, “I was quite surprised at how well it has withstood the high winds we get around here. There is no flapping or vibrating noise.” According to Katie, “The building is a joy to ride in.”

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34

H orse me nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Y a nkee P edlar â&#x20AC;˘ 2012 BARN & ARENA GUIDE

barns ~ arenas ~ equestrian complexes

Call Today! 978-521-1171

www.advancedbarnconstruction.com Bruce Brown

P.O. Box 436

Plaistow, NH

03865

2012 Pedlar Jan Barn Arena Guide.qxp

11/23/2011

LUMBER BARNS

STALL BARNS

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