Stall walls should be built with sturdy plank boards that cannot shift up and down. If they do, a horse can catch its hind hoof in the gap as it tries to get up after being cast. It is called a guillotine injury.
Stalls should have sliding doors rather than swinging ones, as they decrease aisle space and are less likely to get caught when horses are pawing or leaning against them.
Durability
A wall caddy can make tacking up a breeze by keeping your saddle and bridle off the ground. They have multiple hooks for hanging a bridle, saddle pad, and other riding gear and come in several sizes to fit the space on your horse stand.
A stall floor made of concrete is solid and easy to clean. However, it is challenging on horses’ hooves, especially if they stand all day. Concrete floors require a deep bedding layer to reduce discomfort.
Clay is often used in stables as a flooring material. It is often mixed with other soils because pure packed clay becomes impervious to drainage. Clay can absorb urine, which is pushed toward the stall walls and bedding by hoof action. It can create low spots or holes in the stall floor.
A stall floor with a gradual slope into a channel outside the stall is a simple way to enhance stalling drainage. It is preferred over underground drains, which can clog with stall waste.
Convenience
The best horse barn designs make it easy to access tack and other equipment. A tack room near the stalls provides quick and convenient access to saddle pads, harnesses, and horse boots. Portable tack racks allow handlers to keep saddles and bridles off the ground and out of reach when not in use while keeping them organized for easy retrieval.
A tack compartment that swings open like a Dutch door, instead of being pushed to the side like a conventional slant load trailer, is easier to load and unload. This feature is handy for hauling horses less accustomed to loading and unloading.
A SafeKick wall system that safely absorbs impacting kicking from the back of a horse is an excellent feature to look for in a stall design. These walls are made from a plastic and rubber mixture that flexes on impact without damaging the trailer or injuring your horse.
Storage
Stall barns should include convenient storage for feed, bedding, tack, and equipment. Proper storage minimizes clutter and odor and makes it easy to locate supplies. It is essential to assess storage space and adjust it as needed regularly. All electrical fixtures should be out of animal reach and protected with wire guards to prevent tampering or rodent chewing, which creates a fire hazard.
Stall partitions can be solid or a pipe-grill configuration, which allows for observation and air movement but still keeps horses separated. Solid partitions offer more resistance to kicking, absorb shock, and may require less maintenance. Stall doors are available in either hinged or sliding varieties.
Paired doors, also known as Dutch doors, split the weight of each door between two halves and do not sag. Sliding stall doors are popular since they reduce the opening size in the barn aisle, making it easier to pass through. Both styles should have latches that are easily operated with one hand and should be heavy-duty to resist sagging, which could cause injury to the horse or rider.
Security
A barn’s interior must protect horses from predators and other hazards. It must also allow the horses to see each other and interact socially, a requirement for their health. A barn with a high ceiling and eave and ridge vents maximize fresh air circulation.
The tack room needs plenty of storage space for blankets, ropes, and halters. It must be temperature-controlled so that the leather doesn’t mold. A wood soffit should be installed in the tack room to keep dust out of the area.
Stalls should be eight feet high to prevent horses from kicking each other’s heads. Head dividers are available to prevent spook-induced rushing into neighboring stalls. Tubular dividers have bars spaced evenly apart and are easier on the horse than solid partitions. Water should be provided in buckets or automatic drinkers. Buckets are less expensive, but they must be checked daily to ensure that they don’t have algae and are clean.
