A SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT OF RACEHORSE STABLES IN IRELAND

The design of stables and management practices for stabling racehorses were assessed in 26 establishments in Ireland. There is a recent tren d toward housing racehorses in American barns, but the average racehor se is still housed in a loose box of floor areas 13.4m(2) and airspace of 42.6m(3). It is bedded on straw, fed unsoaked hay and remains indo ors whilst being bedded down and groomed. Ventrilation of stables is h eavily dependent on doorways which, when closed, provide approximately 1.8 air changes per hour. Wood shaving were found to be significantly less dusty than stray: 26.75 of total dust concentration was respirab le.