Horse in a draft - problem or not? The advice and information platform for all horse and dog enthusiasts.

With the word 'draft' we indicate that there is a draft in an indoor space. Sometimes it's a light breeze, sometimes there is quite a bit of 'draft'. The line between ventilation with fresh air and annoying draft is actually difficult to determine and often also personal. There is no strict definition for a draft.

Viruses primary cause of disease

Draft is often seen as the cause of illness, especially colds. This is not entirely correct. Illness and colds are caused by viruses, not by air circulation or cold temperatures. But that's not the whole story. It can happen that a horse (or person) becomes more vulnerable to viruses if they sit in a draft or feel cold.

Draft weakens resistance

The thing is: In cold weather, the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat constrict. Less blood flows to those areas and therefore also fewer antibodies. This reduces the local resistance in the nose and throat. Viruses are then less inhibited and can multiply. If cold air is inhaled for a long time, the defense in the upper respiratory tract is also compromised. The mucous membrane there then less efficiently removes invaders and there are fewer active white blood cells (part of the immune system). Bacteria in the nose could also play a role. If the defense in the nose is already compromised, more bacteria can be present in the nose, weakening the mucous membrane along with invading viruses. All in all, draft can make the mucous membranes in the nose and throat more sensitive to infection.

Cold viruses

Furthermore, cold viruses remain most active at low temperatures. That is also a reason why humans and animals get sick faster in autumn and winter. The last reason draft can sometimes be a problem is that a cold draft along the horse's body makes the horse work harder to stay warm. This costs energy and that energy can no longer be used to maintain immunity and fight viruses.

Ventilation is important!

So, a lot of draft is not good. But poor ventilation may be even worse. In a closed horse stable, dust and ammonia quickly accumulate. This can irritate the respiratory tract and make it much more vulnerable to viruses. So make sure you ventilate properly, but keep your horse out of the draft. This can be done by keeping a door open on one side of the stable at least, but not setting doors and shutters opposite each other. Ventilation will work better if the length direction of the stable (the ridge direction) is perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. Also, watch out for cold 'down drafts' from higher ventilation grilles or windows that can fall down on your stabled horse. Holding up a wet finger is often an excellent way to measure the wind direction in your stable.

Horse in a draft - problem or not?

It is often said that horses should not stand in a draft. But when do you actually speak of a draft? And how bad is a draft really? We'll give you the facts.