Horse Wash Rack Specifications

A wash rack, or wash stall if located indoors, is a confined area with flooring and drainage appropriate for bathing horses. Outdoor wash racks generally consist of little more than a concrete slab with proper accommodations for cross-tying a horse. Indoor wash stalls tend to be more elaborate, often including a central floor drain, textured concrete or rubber-lined floors, coated cinder blocks and heated water.

  1. Indoor Wash Stalls

    • Indoor wash stalls range in size from 8 by 8 feet to 12 by 12 feet. Consider that a standard stall is 12 by 12 feet, allowing ample room for a horse to walk, turn and roll. When bathing a horse, especially one prone to kicking, limiting the space he has to move around in also limits his maneuverability. The ideal wash stall will possess a properly grated drain, solid non-wood walls, sturdy water hoses and a solid floor of textured concrete, asphalt, synthetic turf or rubber mats. A concrete floor should be approximately 8 inches thick to prevent crackling and crumbling under the horse's weight.

    Outdoor Wash Racks

    • Having a wash rack near an existing outdoor faucet is ideal, but should not be the first selection criterion. Drainage and runoff are taken into consideration, especially in grassy areas. The best solution is to create a solid, long-lasting footing.

      Concrete is the most obvious base material; finishing it with a wooden trowel creates a rough surface similar to a sidewalk. This textured finish will provide friction and hold cushioning rubber mats in place. The footing should be dug about 4 to 6 inches deep and poured into a form. The concrete pad needs a slight slope, perhaps 2 to 3 degrees, in the runoff direction.

      Because your wastewater runoff will contain shampoos, grooming products, fly spray remnants and more, do not locate your wash rack to run off into ponds or other wetlands. It should also not run off onto driveways, sidewalks, manure piles or paddocks. The best location is an area with good soil drainage, preferably surrounded by weeds or grass.

      The outdoor water supply can run from an existing faucet, if conveniently located, and be removed when not in use. Burying the hose is another option in which the hose needs to be located below the freeze line.

      A safe tie-up point is a must for the outdoor wash rack. Consider equipping cross-ties with a breakaway device in case the horse spooks at the wash area.

    Maintenance

    • A wash area, whether indoor or outdoor, requires little maintenance. Pick up horse droppings immediately to prevent manure from washing down the drain or away in your runoff. Hose down the floor after each use, paying special attention to the amount of mud or sand that came off the horse. Too much can clog or slow the drains of an indoor wash stall. Do not allow feed or water buckets to be washed rinsed into the drains, as resulting root balls can actually stop up and damage the drain.