Helping to Enhance the Standard of Care for Fairfield Equine Associates 

Fairfield Equine Associates is moving forward with a major expansion of its Newtown, Connecticut facility following Planning and Zoning approval from the town. The approved plans include an 8,132-square-foot building addition and an adjacent 75’ x 150’ covered riding ring designed to enhance the hospital’s surgical and diagnostic capabilities—most notably, the installation of a state-of-the-art Qalibra CT Scan system designed specifically for horses. 

Bohler’s Connecticut team is leading the site civil engineering design and permitting for the expansion, guiding the project from early conceptual planning and local entitlements through ongoing construction documentation. Collaborating closely with PH Architects, the Fairfield Equine team, and client representative S4X Global, Bohler played a key role in developing a site strategy that balances advanced medical functionality with real-world usability and cost-efficiency.  

One of the most impactful design improvements involved reconfiguring the original layout to eliminate a proposed 20-foot retaining wall, significantly reducing construction costs. The team also addressed a variety of unique site planning challenges—designing circulation patterns that not only support pedestrian and vehicle movement, but also accommodate horses, horse trailers, and tractor access to the new riding ring.  

In addition, Bohler successfully analyzed and adapted the expansion to utilize the site’s existing stormwater infrastructure, ensuring compliance with Connecticut’s newly updated 2024 stormwater regulations. 

This advanced imaging technology, capable of scanning the entire equine body, represents a major step forward for equine diagnostics in the region. The only comparable systems are located at Tufts University in Massachusetts and in the Mid-Atlantic region, highlighting the significant need for such a resource in the Connecticut and New York area. 

The expansion will allow Fairfield Equine to increase its surgical offerings and continue its four-decade legacy of providing world-class care to performance horses. The hospital has long been recognized for its service to the United States Equestrian Team, supporting athletes at Olympic Games and international competitions. 

With design approval secured, the team will now focus on finalizing construction documents. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2025.