Systems Lighting

Doc-t July 21, 2015
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The primary purpose of electricity in a barn is to have lights. Still, unfortunately, the placement of lights has been left to the discretion of architects and electricians – not horse professionals.  The results give us poor lighting and dangerous, if not just plain stupid, positioning of the fixtures and switches.

Placing a light fixture directly in the center of a stall casts a shadow all around the horse.  Looking at limbs or underneath the horse becomes impossible without using a handheld light.  Even if you position the horse against the stall wall with the light shining on one side, it still does not illuminate the inside of the legs or underneath the horse.  The worst part is if a horse rears up, its head will become injured as it smashes the fixture.  Electrocution is also possible.

On the flip side, elegant installations and natural ingress light structures are integrated nicely into ceilings off to the side.  Aiming lights provide light to both sides of the horse without repositioning the horse.  Having lights flush mounted into the walls of the grooming stall installed a few feet off the ground brings the light down to the level of the legs where good, well-lit examinations can occur. Again, use caution with kicking horses.

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LED accent lightings lines the ceiling between the ceiling and the vertical walls that remain on during daylight. I bet they look nice as night as well as adding light to inspect but not much to affect the sleep of the horses.
LED accent lightings lines the ceiling between the ceiling and the vertical walls that remain on during daylight. I bet they look nice as night as well as adding light to inspect but not much to affect the sleep of the horses.
These high intensity lights are installed at both sides of the horse to give outstanding illumination of the horse even underneath.
These high intensity lights are installed at both sides of the horse to give outstanding illumination of the horse even underneath.
A custom made cupola and opening skylights provide functional ventilation in this barn.
Roof vents can be opened using a connecting pole attached to the loop handle.
A 100 watt light bulb sets above each stall and is plugged into a timer to provide adequate amounts of light to fool the pituitary gland.
This is a floor fan that has been placed in the rafters of this Florida stall. It offers a large volume of airflow directly down on the horse along with fans mounted on the front wall.
Sandwich boards used on this stall’s half wall. Verticle bars are strong, allow air to flow, allow horse interaction, but are also a possible cause of jaw fractures. Note the position of the long florescent lamp between the stalls which avoids damage from horse heads. A hay rack sets in the corner.
Rotating twin oscillating fans and a fire detector.
Fire Above the stall: CTV camera, Sprinkler head, ventilation fans, and abundant ambiant lighting and air flow.
Beautiful design, fire sprinkler system, fire sensors, electrical conduit, ventilation fans beneath cupolas, skylights, decorative lighting and emergency lighting
Very modern LED lights have twice the power of the mercury vapor lights they replaced. The cost was $2500 for this barn but the operating cost is much less according to the owner. And they are silent. Electrical installation is to code.
An unused lighting structure is located directly above the horse. It has obviously been damaged in the past by other rearing horses.
Conduit. The lighting is recessed and high but still in the center of the stall. Ceiling fans are common in Florida.
Hand made lamp by the original farrier/blacksmith for the farm. A famous barn in CT that was built in the 1940’s by the same archetect used in the building of Grand Central Station in NYC.
Fluorescent lights andled along the sides of the ceiling.
Fluorescent lights angled along the sides of the ceiling. Rubber brick flooring
2 insect spray heads extending from the wall, hardwood ceiling with 1 of several exhaust fans.
Central light bulb coming close to a head. This is dangerous not just for the horse, but for the handler as the horse becomes spooked by the crashing glass and potential electrocution.
Stall interior in Wellington, FL. The ceiling fan oscillates distributing the flow of air evenly over the stall. The ceiling window adds light but not direct hot sun rays during summer. It is interesting that dirt accumulates along the edge of the ceiling.
Recessed lights along the ceiling just above the stalls, plus a skylight
This skylight runs the length of the stalls giving horses exposure to the natural circadian rhythm of light.
This skylight runs the length of the stalls giving horses exposure to the natural circadian rhythm of light.
Functional fluorescent lights with additional decorative chandeliers
Functional fluorescent lights with additional decorative chandeliers
Angled fluorescent plus pot lights in a grooming stall
Overhead fluorescent lights are recessed decreasing the chance of a head breaking them
Simple mounted fluorescent light
The rafters protect the light, fan and bug spray system from damage by a horse. May be harder to clean or maintain.
The rafters protect the light, fan and bug spray system from damage by a horse. May be harder to clean or maintain.
Serious lights inside a barn
Skylights
Skylight and a chandelier
Fluoprescent light fixtures are high and out of harms way. A heating element runs the length of the barn in this northern climate barn. Music speakers, fire and smoke detectors
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