Horse Stall Requirements

The horse is a beautiful and powerful animal, and many people enjoy the responsibility of caring for them. But it is important to know how to house them properly. One of the most basic requirements for sheltering a horse is the stall. Knowing some guidelines about horse stalls can be helpful when caring for, or planning to care for, a horse.

  1. Size

    • It is important to have a stall that is a comfortable size for your horse. A standard horse stall measures 12 feet by 12 feet, and this size is suitable for almost all horses. Smaller, 10-by-10-foot stalls are suitable for smaller breeds, and larger stall sizes, like 12 feet by 24, feet are excellent for stallions or broodmares.

    Walls

    • The walls of a stall must be sturdy enough to handle the full weight of the horse in a panic or during a kick without crumbling, caving or tearing. Building materials can be anything from horse gates to brick or lumber, as long as there are no gaps the horse can get its foot through and the walls are able to take the weight of the animal.

    Floor

    • The floor of the stall is often overlooked, but its importance is huge. It must be soft, yet dry. It must drain well and be easy to clean. Sand makes an excellent base, covered with shavings or straw. Cement floors need to be padded with floor mats that can then be covered with bedding. It is important to have a floor that is soft enough to be comfortable but does not get sloppy wet.