Top-Rated Heaters for Horse Stables: A Comprehensive Guide

Keeping your horse stable warm and comfortable during colder months is essential for the health and well-being of your horses. With the right heater, you can ensure that your horses are in a safe, warm environment even when temperatures drop. In this guide, we will explore the top-rated heaters for horse stables, considering safety, performance, and energy efficiency.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Heater for Your Horse Stable

Before we dive into specific models, let's first understand the important factors to consider when selecting a heater for your horse stable.

1. Heating Type: Forced Air, Infrared, and Radiant

• Forced Air Heaters: These heaters blow warm air into the stable, increasing airflow and circulation. They are suitable for larger stables where quick heating is needed, but they can be noisy, which may disturb the horses.

• Infrared Heaters: Infrared heaters emit heat directly to objects (including horses and surfaces) rather than heating the air. They are energy-efficient and provide consistent warmth, making them ideal for smaller areas or spots where you want focused heat.

• Radiant Heaters: Similar to infrared heaters, radiant heaters provide direct heat without affecting air circulation. These are particularly effective when used in smaller, confined spaces or near specific areas where horses spend a lot of time.

2. Safety Features

The safety of your horses is paramount. When choosing a heater for your stable, look for the following safety features:

• Tip-Over Protection: A must-have feature in case the heater is accidentally knocked over. The unit will shut off automatically, preventing potential fire hazards.

• Overheat Protection: This ensures that the heater doesn't reach temperatures that could damage the heater or pose a fire risk.

• Oxygen Depletion Sensors: If using gas-powered or propane heaters, oxygen depletion sensors automatically turn off the heater when oxygen levels fall to dangerous levels. This is especially important in closed spaces.

• Cool-Touch Housing: Heaters with cool-touch outer surfaces prevent burns if the horses accidentally come into contact with them.

3. Energy Efficiency

Heating a horse stable can be costly, especially during long winters. Choose heaters that are energy-efficient and offer optimal heat output relative to energy consumption. This will help you save on heating costs in the long run.

• Electric Heaters: While they can be easy to install and use, electric heaters can be costly to run, especially in large spaces.

• Gas and Propane Heaters: These can be more cost-effective, especially for larger stables. However, they require proper ventilation and safety measures to prevent any buildup of carbon monoxide.

4. Size and Coverage Area

The size of your stable plays a significant role in determining the type and size of the heater you need. For small stables or single stalls, a compact heater may suffice, while larger stables will require heaters with higher heat outputs and broader coverage.

5. Noise Level

Some heaters, especially forced air models, can be noisy, which may disturb your horses. If noise is a concern, look for models that are designed to operate quietly, especially if your horses are sensitive to sounds.

Top-Rated Heaters for Horse Stables

1. Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Natural Gas Heater

Key Features:

• Type: Forced Air, Natural Gas
• Heat Output: 80,000 BTUs
• Fuel Type: Natural Gas
• Safety Features: Overheat protection, automatic shut-off, built-in thermostat
• Design: Wall-mounted, compact

Why It's Great:

The Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG is one of the most powerful heaters available for large stables. This forced air heater can heat up a space of up to 2,000 square feet, making it perfect for medium to large stables. The natural gas operation provides an efficient and cost-effective heating solution.

Its built-in thermostat ensures that the temperature remains consistent, while overheat protection and automatic shut-off features enhance safety. Additionally, the wall-mounted design saves space and keeps the unit out of reach of curious horses.

2. Dr. Heater DR-988 Commercial Infrared Heater

Key Features:

• Type: Infrared Heater
• Heat Output: 5,600 watts (19,000 BTUs)
• Fuel Type: Electric
• Safety Features: Overheat protection, tip-over protection, cool-touch housing
• Design: Ceiling or wall-mounted, compact

Why It's Great:

The Dr. Heater DR-988 is a high-performance infrared heater designed to warm both the air and surfaces in a stable. It operates at 5,600 watts and provides 19,000 BTUs, which is sufficient for heating smaller to medium-sized stables.

What sets this heater apart is its infrared technology , which directly heats objects and animals, rather than just the air. This means your horses will receive consistent, comfortable warmth. The cool-touch housing ensures safety, and the tip-over protection and overheat protection make it one of the safest options for stables.

3. ProCom Heating PCHP30V Propane Heater

Key Features:

• Type: Forced Air, Propane
• Heat Output: 30,000 BTUs
• Fuel Type: Propane
• Safety Features: Oxygen depletion sensor, tip-over protection, auto shut-off
• Design: Portable, free-standing

Why It's Great:

The ProCom Heating PCHP30V is a propane heater that offers both portability and powerful heating capabilities. With 30,000 BTUs , it's perfect for medium-sized stables. This forced air heater distributes heat evenly across the area, ensuring a warm environment for your horses.

Its oxygen depletion sensor is an important safety feature, particularly in enclosed spaces, and the tip-over protection and auto shut-off mechanisms add peace of mind. This unit is ideal if you're looking for a portable option that doesn't require installation.

4. Redstone Garage Heater

Key Features:

• Type: Electric, Radiant Heater
• Heat Output: 5,000 watts (17,000 BTUs)
• Fuel Type: Electric
• Safety Features: Overheat protection, dustproof design
• Design: Wall or ceiling-mounted

Why It's Great:

The Redstone Garage Heater is a radiant heater that emits infrared heat directly to the space. With 5,000 watts and 17,000 BTUs , it is ideal for smaller stables or specific areas within a larger space. This electric unit is wall or ceiling-mounted, which helps save space and ensures that it's out of reach of the horses.

Its dustproof design ensures longevity even in environments with dust and debris, common in stables. With overheat protection, you don't have to worry about the heater running too hot and potentially causing damage to the stable or being a fire risk.

5. Lasko 755320 Ceramic Tower Heater

Key Features:

• Type: Ceramic Heater
• Heat Output: 1,500 watts (5,100 BTUs)
• Fuel Type: Electric
• Safety Features: Overheat protection, cool-touch housing, tip-over protection
• Design: Portable, compact, tower design

Why It's Great:

The Lasko 755320 is a ceramic heater designed for small to medium-sized stables. While it offers only 1,500 watts (or 5,100 BTUs ), it's perfect for targeted heating in a specific area. The ceramic technology is energy-efficient and ensures quick, consistent heating.

It also features overheat protection , tip-over protection , and a cool-touch housing , making it a safe choice in environments with active animals. Its tower design is compact, making it easy to place in corners and tight spaces.

Conclusion

When choosing the best heater for your horse stable, consider the size of the stable, safety features, fuel type, and energy efficiency. For larger spaces, forced air propane or natural gas heaters like the Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG are excellent choices. For smaller stables or targeted heating, infrared or electric heaters such as the Dr. Heater DR-988 and Lasko 755320 offer effective and safe solutions.

Always prioritize safety features like tip-over protection , overheat protection , and oxygen depletion sensors to ensure the well-being of your horses. With the right heater, your stable will remain warm and comfortable, helping your horses stay healthy and happy throughout the colder months.