The summer season is the best time of year for enjoying our horses. The sunshine and long days make going to the barn and riding out more of a pleasure than a chore. But summer has its drawbacks too. If it's not the flies driving you and your horse crazy, then it's the stifling midday heat. One of the best ways to help keep your equine friend cool (and free of heat stress) in the summer, especially if it's restricted to the stall, is by installing a barn fan. In this guide, we're going to look at all the things you need to consider to buy the best horse stall fans.
What is a Stall Fan?
Just like an automatic horse waterer, equine fans are essential for the barn in summer.
A stall fan is one that has been specifically designed to provide air circulation in a horse barn or stall. It works the same way as a regular fan, however, it has some extra features to make it safer to use in dusty environments. Barn fans also have to be quite powerful to create sufficient air flow in your horses' living space.
There's a big difference between fans designed for use in the stall and normal domestic fans. The motor and electrical mechanisms are entirely sealed in barn fans. This is a very important safety feature because of the dusty atmosphere in a horse barn. If the dust and debris gathers on the motor, eventually this will create heat and could potentially cause a fire. This is why it's best not to use a domestic fan in horse stalls.
Why Does a Horse Need Cooling in the Barn?
Animals have a natural ability to seek out the coolest space. This could be under a tree or next to a breeze blowing off a cool river. If the horse is in a barn then it can't use it's instinct to move to the coolest place. The stall can become pretty warm and musty too with horses standing on wet bedding.
Fans for barns are one of the best ways to get the air flowing around the stables, they will disperse stagnant fumes as well as reduce the temperature. This is healthier for the horse because fresh, moving air is better for its respiratory system. The moving air will also prevent mold and fungus from growing in the atmosphere and deter flies and mosquitoes from biting. A horse will be happier when you use a stall fan, they're very sensitive to their environment and they love breathing fresh air.
Different Types of Stall Fans for Horses
You'll find a huge range of different fans on the market, each with their individual pros and cons. They will generally fit into one of the following categories:
Plug In vs Hard Wired
A hard wired fan is one that is attached directly to the electricity mains and is switched on and off with a switch on the wall. These are considered to be the safest fans because there are fewer connections in the circuit. Plug in fans are more convenient because they can be moved around and attached to extension cable if needed. If you do use an extension cable in the barn, make sure it's a heavy-duty, industrial one for maximum safety.
Wall Mounted/Floor
Often fans will be designed so that they can be placed in certain areas. Wall mounted fans will usually come with an industrial grade wall mount to attach it from the back. A floor fan will often have rubber on the bottom to give it stability and a handle on top for easy transportation. Wall mounted fans are designed to be fitted flat against a wall and will come with the necessary fixtures.
Multi-Mount Fan
These are the most versatile types of fans as you have the option to use as per your requirements. Usually, they can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, or can be used on the floor.
Box Fan
Box fans are large square fans that are enclosed in a hard plastic box. They are usually hung up with ties or a special box fan bag. Though box fans are used a lot in horse barns, their safety is questionable as the majority don't have enclosed motors. Be cautious when choosing a box fan for your stall.
Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans work in the same way as domestic ceiling fans. They are attached to the roof and blow the air down. These are generally more expensive and tricky to install but provide a good amount of airflow. It's important not to use a domestic ceiling fan in a horse stall as this could be a fire risk.
Exhaust Fan
This is the most deluxe fan that you can choose for the barn. They installed directly into the roof or ceiling and they suck out and expel bad fumes and greatly encourage airflow. They are expensive and quite a big job when it comes to installation but are probably the most effective stall fan.
How to Choose the Best Barn Fans
When it comes to choosing the best barn fan there are many things to consider. Below are the most important things you should look at before buying one.
Size and Motor Power
You'll need a heavy duty barn fan to create sufficient airflow around the barn but you don’t want to overdo it with air speed. Often when it comes to barn fans less is more. If the fan is too big and powerful then it will cause lots of disruption in the atmosphere. Hay dust and debris blowing through the air isn’t healthy and the extra breeze might make your horse chilly. You don’t want one that’s too small either. A little desk size fan isn’t going to move much air around the barn. The speeds at which the fan moves the air around is known as the cubic feet per minute (cfm). The recommended cfm for horse fans is between 20,000 to 4,000.
Safety Ratings
For the highest levels of safety in stall fans then you should look for the safety approval number UL507. This means that the fan has a fully enclosed and waterproof motor and can be used outside. Other safety approval ratings you should look out for include Osha, ETL, and ACMA. These are approved standards for fans and heating units. It’s always recommended to choose a fan with a safety certificate for extra peace of mind and to validate insurance.
Safety Features
Fans with a sealed motor are the best fans for horse stalls. Ones that aren’t enclosed are a potential fire hazard so avoid buying ones without a fully sealed motor, Because of the humid conditions of the barn, it is also a good idea to look out for a fan that is water and rust-resistant. This is for safety reasons as well as durability. A fan with a thermostatic overload shutoff is also recommended. This will automatically stop the fan if there is a problem within the circuit, reducing the risk of a fire. Having a fuse fitted in a fan is also an extra safety cutoff feature in case anything goes wrong in the mechanism.
Durability
Just like with all horse wear and barn equipment, a stall fan needs to be high quality, heavy duty and durable. Look out for industrial grade fans built with galvanized steel, metal or other hard wearing materials when choosing your fan.
Placement
Where do you intend to install your fan, on the wall, ceiling or the middle of a barn alley? Choose a fan that is suitable to be mounted in the place where you need it.
Where Should I Install the Stall Fan?
Ideally, a fan should be placed in the front or corner of the stall. This gives maximum horizontal airflow which horses like. Make sure that it's out of reach from your horse and that there are no exposed cables for it to chew on. If you’re using a ceiling fan make sure that it sits below the hot air that gathers in the roof. Otherwise, this will distribute the hot air around the barn. And lastly, make sure that there’s an area where your horse can escape the breeze if it wishes.
Should I Leave the Fan on Day and Night?
Unless there are extreme cases of hot weather then you shouldn’t leave the fan running twenty-four hours a day. Generally, the temperature will decrease at night so it may not be necessary to have them running. It's recommend that fans should be left on for around eight hours during the day. This will save on your electricity bills, allow your horse to acclimatize and reduce wear and tear of the fan.
How to Maintain Barn Fans
Cleaning the blades is a must and this can be done very easily with a damp cloth while the fan is disconnected. Most fans will make the blades easy to access. While you’re cleaning the fan, it's a good idea to check all the wires, fixtures and fittings too.
Reviews for Five of The Best Fans for Horse Stalls
To help you in your search, we’ve reviewed five of the best fans currently available on the market.
1. Air King 9020 1/6 HP Industrial Grade Wall Mount Fan
This Air King fan is a favorite amongst horse owners because it ticks all the right boxes when it comes to safety. Air King test all their fans as per the relevant safety standards and they have a fully enclosed motor to protect them against dust. Air King has a reputation for durability and this fan can be installed anywhere with it's wall mount features and 9ft power cord.
2. Maxx Air 18 Inch Commercial Wall Mount Fan
The Maxx Air is made in Texas, USA and provides the perfect CMF range to keep your barn cool. The enclosed motor of this wall mounted fan is dustproof and very energy efficient. The blades are protected with heavy-duty powder coated steel and the head can be tilted to 180 degrees. It comes with a 10ft long power cable and is OSHA safety approved.
3. New Air WindPro Industrial Grade Fan
The New Air WindPro is an industrial grade, versatile fan that you can use on the ground or mounted on the wall. It has a dual ball bearing, sealed motor and strong blade guards making this fan highly durable. The slim design is stabilized by forrubber feet for use on the floor and has a handle for easy transportation.
4. ILiving Wall Mount 18 Inch Outdoor Fan
If you need a high-quality fan that's suitable for barn use as well as using outside then the ILiving Wall Mount Fan is a great one to choose. The motor is completely sealed and waterproof and is UL507 rated and approved. It's chain operated and it's aluminum blades are enclosed in a galvanized steel frame making this fan rust resistant and highly durable.
5. Hurricane 20 Inch High Velocity Wall Mount Fan
This high velocity fan from Hurricane has a special cut off capacity for extra peace of mind when it comes to safety. It has a highly durable steel fan guard and comes with a stable wall mounting bracket. The oscillating head gives this fan an extra edge when it comes to cooling your barn in the summer.
Top Choice
When it comes to safety and durability then the ILiving Wall Mount Fan comes in on top. Because the motor is so sealed and secured then the risk of it causing a fire is minimal making this fan very safe. It will withstand even the most humid barn conditions meaning that it will last you a long time. When you're looking for cool barn fans, to be used indoor or out, this is the best one to choose.
Conclusion
To keep your horse healthy and cool in the summer then it's important to choose only the best horse stall fans. Never use a domestic fan even though their low price may seem more appealing. They aren't designed for the barn and will break down easily, potentially creating a fire risk. Investing in specialist horse barn fans is not only safer it’s more cost-effective in the long run and, will do a better job of keeping your horse cool.
