Do it Yourself Horse Stalls

If you own horses it is not essential that you have stalls for them. However, a stall will keep horses safe, clean and close at hand. Pre-built stalls are an expensive investment that can be cost prohibitive if you own more than one horse. Save your money for tack and peppermint treats when you construct stalls yourself in a pre-existing building like a barn or run-in shed.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Garden stakes
  • Twine
  • Carpenter's square
  • Spray paint
  • Post-hole digger
  • 6-by-6-inch wooden posts, 12 feet long, 4
  • Hand saw
  • Quick-drying concrete
  • Pressure treated 2-by-4-inch boards, 12 feet long
  • Level
  • Wood screws
  • Drill
  • 12-by-4-foot wooden gate with hardware
  • Sander and sandpaper
  • Stall matt
  • Sharp knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark a 12-by-12- foot square by inserting a garden stake at each corner and stretching twine between the garden stakes. Use a carpenter's square to make sure the corners of the square are straight. Spray paint in a small circle at each corner of the square. Remove the stakes and twine.

    • 2

      Dig a 3-foot deep and 8-inch wide hole at each spray painted mark, using a post-hole digger. These are the post holes.

    • 3

      Cut a 1 foot length of each of the 12-foot long posts. Place one of the newly cut posts in each of the post holes vertically.

    • 4

      Mix a batch of quick-drying concrete following the package instructions carefully. Ask an assistant to hold one of the 6-foot posts upright. Pour the concrete into the hole around the post. Repeat for the remaining three posts. Allow the concrete and posts to set for two days before continuing construction.

    Walls

    • 5

      Place a 12 foot long 2-by-4-inch board horizontally across the back two posts. The wide side of the board should lay flat across the boards. Slide the board down so the bottom is touching the floor, and the board is level. Screw the board to the posts using wood screws.

    • 6

      Place a second board across the back posts, above the first board. Place the board so it is in line with the first board. Slide the board down until it touches the first board. Screw the board to the posts with wood screws.

    • 7

      Continue installing the boards in the same manner until you reach the top of the posts. Install all boards level with each other, leaving no space between the boards.

    • 8

      Measure and mark a location on the center board of the wall, two feet from one of the back posts. Repeat this procedure on the side of the wall. Mark a third location on the center board, six feet away from one of the back posts. When finished, you will have three marks on the center board between the two back posts.

    • 9

      Cut three, 2-by-4-inch boards to measure six feet long. Place one of the boards across the back wall of the stall. Arrange it so it is perpendicular with the horizontal wall boards. Place the board in line with the first mark made on the center board. Screw the board to the horizontal wall boards. Repeat on the remaining two marks. This provides supports for the walls and makes them safe for enclosing horses.

    • 10

      Repeat steps 1through 6 to install the two side walls.

    Finishing

    • 11

      Measure and make a mark three feet from the bottom of the right front post. Mark a second spot two feet bellow the first mark. Make a third mark on the left front post, three feet from the bottom. Screw the gate hinges to the two right post marks. Screw the gate latch to the left front post mark. Hold the gate in place on the front of the stall. Ask an assistant to screw the other ends of the hardware to the gate. Make any adjustments to the gate so that it swings properly, if necessary.

    • 12

      Sand all rough edges inside the stall. Pay particular attention to corners and other areas that are extra rough. This will prevent a horse from injuring himself on the stall.

    • 13

      Place a rubber stall mat inside the stall, on the ground. Cut the mat to fit so it lays flat on the stall floor.