Horse Stalls - Great Design With Your Barn in Mind

Horse stalls come in a variety of design styles and sizes. However, not all of them are suitable for you and the set up you have in your barn.

The stall is the basic unit of shelter for your horse and is a great option if you plan on keeping your horse inside for certain parts of the day or evening.

Here are a few guidelines for you to consider if you are in the process of building your own barn or looking for a facility to board your horse.

Horse Stall Sizes:

The average size horse will do best in a stall that is 10' x 10' at the very least. Stall sizes in the 10' x 10' to 12' x 12' range will offer sufficient room for the average size horse to move around comfortably. Also, depending on the barn layout and spacing, having a window for ventilation in each stall or as many as possible is recommended.

Though the above sizes are recommended as minimum sizing for the average horse, they can be larger or smaller in size than the average, if you are housing a larger or smaller horse. Keep in mind how long your horse will be spending in the stall. If you plan on stalling your horse your horse for longer periods of time during the day, you want to make sure the stall is larger enough to accommodate for complete comfort.

If you plan on housing a mare and foal, for example, you will need a much larger stall to provide adequate room for both horses, therefore a larger stall is in order.

Horse Stall Construction:

Horse Stalls and their construction should be next on the list of considerations. There are a variety of materials used to build stalls.

The most common material for construction is wood. Southern yellow pine is a strong and sturdy choice to be used in stall construction. Another material used in construction is galvanized steel which is used to reinforce the strength and structure of the stall.

If you are in the market for materials and options to build your own stalls, there are many manufacturers that would be happy to offer you their services. Manufacturers are happy to offer you a variety of flexible options to allow you to customize your barn and meet your individual needs.

If you are building your own facility, having a layout plan ahead with an idea of stall quantity and placement will help you make some of these customization decisions.

What to do if You Plan to Board:

If you are looking for a place to board your horse you can definitely use all of the information we just reviewed. As a horse owner you still have to consider the layout, design, and structure of the horse stalls your horse will be in.

Though you may not have had a say in how the barn was built, you can take a tour to get a feel for the layout of the barn you are visiting.

You want to make notes of the stall sizing, construction, and barn ventilation. Make sure you inquire about turnout times for your horse. Ask how often your horse will be kept outside versus inside and feel free to let the owner know if you have any preferences over their turnout policies, after all it is your horse.

Want more helpful tips? Check out Horse Show Life.com for more information on horse stalls including stall styles, equipment, and maintenance.

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