Introduction
Problem Description: One only has to do a quick Google search or look in the local news to see that there has been a large number of barn fires in the recent months. These fires have caused huge economic losses, not only in the buildings lost, but also the animals that perished. Because of these recent incidences in such a short amount of time, many questions have been raised regarding fire management and prevention on farms. Many highly competitive horses are kept stabled for long durations, with minimal turnout, so they are constantly in a stall. This isolation can have dramatic consequences on the wellbeing of these horses as these are highly social animals.
Literature Review:
Fire Prevention and Management There are not many recommendations currently in place for fire management in equine facilities. The current Equine Code of Practice simply suggests that in the event of a fire, animals need be evacuated from the building as urgently as possible (1). It should also be noted that the animals should be moved to a safe location away from the fire as they may attempt to return to the building (1, 2). Stalls should have two exit points with doors that swing out so there is less chance of a horse catching itself in its attempt to leave the barn (2).
Along with fire extinguishers, there should be a hose in a …show more content…
Investigators found that mares who were exposed to this type of housing environment expressed a very limited range of behaviours. Horses engaged mostly in locomotor and feeding behaviours, and spent a significant amount of time standing both at rest and on alert. Other activities such as drinking, self-grooming and social interactions were performed to a very small degree. The mares were not observed to lay down or roll at any time during the
Problem Description: One only has to do a quick Google search or look in the local news to see that there has been a large number of barn fires in the recent months. These fires have caused huge economic losses, not only in the buildings lost, but also the animals that perished. Because of these recent incidences in such a short amount of time, many questions have been raised regarding fire management and prevention on farms. Many highly competitive horses are kept stabled for long durations, with minimal turnout, so they are constantly in a stall. This isolation can have dramatic consequences on the wellbeing of these horses as these are highly social animals.
Literature Review:
Fire Prevention and Management There are not many recommendations currently in place for fire management in equine facilities. The current Equine Code of Practice simply suggests that in the event of a fire, animals need be evacuated from the building as urgently as possible (1). It should also be noted that the animals should be moved to a safe location away from the fire as they may attempt to return to the building (1, 2). Stalls should have two exit points with doors that swing out so there is less chance of a horse catching itself in its attempt to leave the barn (2).
Along with fire extinguishers, there should be a hose in a …show more content…
Investigators found that mares who were exposed to this type of housing environment expressed a very limited range of behaviours. Horses engaged mostly in locomotor and feeding behaviours, and spent a significant amount of time standing both at rest and on alert. Other activities such as drinking, self-grooming and social interactions were performed to a very small degree. The mares were not observed to lay down or roll at any time during the