When I was young I spent many hours brainstorming with one of my best friends, attempting to come up with a way to convince our parents to buy us a horse. We figured if we shared one, our chances went up considerably, right? From riding lessons and horse shows, to my high school job as a groom and trail guide, to my college job as a stable hand, to volunteering at Mylestone Equine Rescue in Phillipsburg, NJ, I’ve spent the last 20 years working with horses.
Therefore I can say with first-hand knowledge that anyone who has a horse or works with horses in New Jersey knows of the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes. A cutting edge facility with a national reputation, Mid-Atlantic provides exceptional equine healthcare with an extensive staff that includes specialists in the fields of sports medicine, surgery, internal medicine, neonatal intensive care, cardiology, ophthalmology, reproduction and ambulatory medicine.
Consequently, when USA Architects was commissioned to provide architectural services for Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, it was an amazing opportunity for a horse-loving architect like me. USA was asked to design a new surgery/exam facility, along with a 16 stall horse barn, and a 4 stall isolation barn. The project offered a unique set of design challenges which included accommodating the high ceilings required for the overhead hoist used to bring animals in and out of surgery, selecting finishes that are sufficiently durable for large animal exposure and the regular cleaning required, providing proper circulation for both humans and horses alike, and ensuring proper ventilation to avoid cross contamination of sick animals.
After two years of design and construction, the three new buildings were completed in January 2010. The surgery barn is an 8,000 SF, two story facility that houses a pharmacy, client waiting area, administrative offices and a conference/meeting room in addition to the surgery/exam area. The stall barns provide an additional +/- 6,000 SF of housing for horses, eliminating the need for the temporary tent that Mid-Atlantic has been required to put up during the busy seasons in recent years. These new barns allow for increased ease of equine comfort and care with two access doors into every stall, automatic waterers, and individual stall ventilation.
I feel very fortunate that I was given the opportunity to take such an active role in the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center project. Last year I came to own my first horse, Tristan, after 20+ years of wishing for one. And while I am still getting used to the idea of being a horse owner, it is reassuring to know that the outstanding veterinary care of Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical center is nearby.
