How to Build a Wash Stall

Many commercial barns and some private barns have wash stalls, also commonly referred to as wash racks, which make washing horses a simple task. This type of stall can be useful for grooming and prepping a show horse as well as for treating injuries on the horse where cold hosing of joints is required. While it can resemble a typical grooming or cross-tie stall, the wash rack has a number of other features that make it useful, safe and easy to work in.

Things You'll Need

  • Hose
  • Cross ties
  • Drain system
  • Hot and cold water
  • Rubber matting
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Instructions

    • 1

      Enclose the stall area on three sides with your material of choice, leaving the front open. The stall should be a minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet. This will allow the handler to work in and around the animal but also help the horse to relax and not feel trapped while it is being washed.

    • 2

      Plan the wash stall in an area where there is an existing drain or where one can easily be plumbed in. The drain should be in the center of the wash stall and the flooring should gently slope toward the drain. If you are building a wash stall outside, slightly slope the ground outward to allow the water to run off.

    • 3

      Run both hot and cold water to taps in the wash stall. Plumb the taps in between 4 and 5 feet from ground level to give easy access to the handler. Attach a hose that is no more than 10 feet long. Anything longer can become easily tangled in the horse's legs and potentially cause the animal to panic.

    • 4

      Place rubber matting with drainage holes on the floor of the wash stall. This will allow the water to drain properly and provide traction for the horse on the wet floor. If the wash stall is outdoors, the matting will prevent the area from becoming muddy and chewed up by the horse's hooves and at the same time help keep the horse clean and mud free during and after the bath.

    • 5

      Install cross ties in the wash stall. Each cross tie should be hung high on the inside edge of the front part of the stall's sides. Hang the solid ends of the cross ties 5 to 6 feet off the ground to lessen the chance the horse can get hung up on the ties if it fights the bath or panics. Cross ties allow a handler to work alone and help keep the horse in the center of the stall.