How to Design Horse Stalls

Designing horse stalls, even within an existing barn, requires a lot of consideration. Not only do you want to provide your horses with maximum comfort in the space allotted, you also want your stall configuration to ensure your horsekeeping chores are as easy as possible. Here are some basic tips to help you sketch out a design for your barn renovation.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the size of each horse stall. Most horse stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet, which is a good standard measurement for a barn that must accommodate horses of varying sizes. Ten feet by ten feet is used for smaller breeds of horses or ponies; 14 feet by 14 feet may be more comfortable for large horses. For a breeding barn, make the stalls 12 feet by 24 feet.

    • 2

      Choose the flooring. If you are converting an existing barn with concrete floors and don't want to rip up the floors, go with a stall mattress or grid system to provide your horse with adequate cushioning. If you have clay floors, they can be bare or you can add mats. Using mats can keep your floors from being torn up by the horses as they walk around---and keep the clay from mixing in with the bedding.

    • 3

      Plan for stall walls that are at least eight feet high; the walls should not be solid. You can space boards about an inch apart, or have wooden boards topped by wire mesh or bars to enhance ventilation. In warm climates, even exterior walls can have a space between the wall and the roof for ventilation purposes. Bars should be placed two inches apart to keep hooves from getting caught.

    • 4

      Add a swinging door or a window to the interior stall wall for the feeder. This way you won't have to go into the stall to feed the horses.

    • 5

      Plan for a window or a door to be in the back wall. It's best if you can add a Dutch door, or a Dutch door over a wire-mesh screen door, to the back wall to act as an emergency exit and provide extra ventilation.

    • 6

      Design a watering system that makes taking care of your horses easy. Susan Krawitz's "Twenty Tips for User-Friendly Barn Design" describes a watering system in which pipes are overhead so that each stall is served by its own spigot and short hose. However, this design may not be feasible for uninsulated barns in cold climates. Automatic waterers are another similar choice.