Churchill Downs hopes this equipment change means less anxiety for Kentucky Derby horses
When the elite thoroughbreds aren't preparing for the greatest two minutes in sports at Churchill Downs, they're spending about 22 hours each day in their stalls on the backside.
That means constant upkeep, with equipment in and around the barns every day.
But at Churchill Downs, where sudden noises often spook the million-dollar athletes, there's a move to reduce noise, especially in construction equipment used near the horses. The hope is that quieter equipment will reduce anxiety and accidental scares in the thoroughbreds.
This year around the barns and paddock, zero-emission, low-noise electrical equipment is being used as part of a pilot program between Sunbelt Rentals and Churchill Downs.
“With the equipment, the intent is to remove the engine or eliminate the emissions,” said Brent Coffey, Sunbelt Rentals' director of product-line management. “But one of the upsides you get out of that is you also eliminate the sound or drastically reduce it.”
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The equipment surrounding the famed track includes solar light towers, electrical skidsteers – think compact equipment with lift arms and a bucket to clean up what gets mucked from the barns – and electrical telehandlers – think of a forklift with a reach for things like pallets or maintenance repairs.
The switch to the new equipment is in part because of a study published about noise anxiety affecting the welfare and behavior of horses.
"(Horses) can exhibit several anxiety behaviors during noisy events, including sweating, trembling and escape attempts, which may cause severe accidents for the horse and the rider/handler," the study states.
The researchers surveyed nearly 2,000 horse owners about a horses’ behavior around noise events.
Dr. Will Farmer, Churchill Downs' equine medical director, said he can't recall a specific incident where noisy equipment startled a horse, but less noise means less chance a horse is spooked, especially with equipment that is often used around the prized animals.
“Obviously we’re in the city, so there’s a lot of noise anyway because of the environment the horses are in,” Farmer said. “The big thing with horses are quick changes, so quiet to loud … so anything we can do to reduce that is important.”
Sunbelt knows "keeping our horses safe is very important to us," said Casey Ramage, Churchill Down’s vice president of marketing and partnerships.
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The lower emissions are important too. Located less than a mile from Interstates 65, 264 and the airport, Churchill Downs has air pollutants generated mostly by transportation-related sources, according to the Louisville Metro Air Pollutions Control District.
Both the APCD and Farmer agree that construction vehicles with no emission is not just good for the horses, but also the people working in and around the barns.
“Any positive change to reduce emissions is welcome and every bit counts,” said Matt Mudd, with the air pollution control district. “It’s certainly something that’s good news and we’re happy to applaud.”
Beyond the lights, though, visitors won’t see the equipment in action. That’s because in the days leading up to the 149th Run for the Roses, the focus is on risk assessment and risk management for the horses.
“There are so many people who want to see the horses and are walking around the barns, it’s not a safe environment for heavy equipment and people,” Farmer said. “Anything we can do to minimize that risk, someone will benefit from it.“
Reach Stephanie Kuzydym at skuzydym@courier-journal.com. Follow her for updates for the 149th Kentucky Derby on Twitter at @stephkuzy.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Churchill Downs hopes new equipment means less stress for Derby horses
