Happy New Year to both
you and your horses!
BARN ORGANIZATION
Stalls. . .
Many barns have only box stalls; but seldom does a barn have only tie stalls. In most horse barns some box stall space is necessary for sick animals, mares at foaling time, and colts.
Use stall walls that are tight, smooth, and free of sharp corners, loose wires, protruding bolts and nails, and anything else that might injure the horse as it moves about and lies down. The walls must be flush with the floor, so a horse cannot get its feet under the partititon.
Box Stalls. . .
For riding horses, the minimum box stall is 10' x 10'. More commonly, box stalls are 12' x 12', although stalls 16' x 16' or larger are not uncommon. If the barn permits, a stall 16' x 10' or larger is useful for foaling mares. Box stalls for ponies may be smaller, depending on breed. A large stall can be obtained by removing the common partition between adjoining box stalls.
Equip box stalls with rugged Dutch doors, a full length sliding door, or swinging gates hung with heavy hardware. Horses can open doors, so to be safe, install door fasteners that the attendant can operate from inside and outside the stall and that the horse cannot open.
Provide a convenient and safe stall arrangement. Consider both the attendant and the horse. Include provisions for watering; feeding hay, grain, salt and minerals, and for cross-tying the animals.
Tie stalls. . .
Tie stalls are not as widely used for pleasure horses as box stalls. However, they do provide an area for confining animals that are restless in box stalls. The stalls require about half the area, lesss bedding, and are easier to clean than box stalls. They can often be constructed in existing buildings unsuitable for box stalls.
The typical tie stall is 5' x 9' (3' x 6' for ponies), although stall lengths up to 12' are often used. The length of the stall is measured from the front of the manger or grain box to the rear of the stall partition. The top of a wood built-in manger is about 2' wide. The standing platform is 7' longor longer. The build-in manger slopes forward at the bottom on the standing platform side to protect the stabled animals' knees. Individual grain boxes and hay racks are sometimes used in tie stalls instead of build-in wood mangers. Horses are usually removed from the stalls for water and exercise, although watering in the stall is not uncommon.
Feed Room. . .
Organize the feed room, which is seldom larger than the size of a box stall, for convenience and easy housekeeping. Plan storage for feed materials, equipment, and tools. Provide an uncluttered traffic pattern to reach the stored materials without interference. Keep the storage area as dust free as possible.
Hay may be stored in an overhead loft or on the ground floor. Small rooms and narrow doors are inconvenient for storing hay and add to the chore labor required to handle it, both in and out of storage.
Grain feed must be stored in vermin-proof bins or containers. Metal containers such as large garbage cans and wood bins with tight lids are excellent for limited bulk feed storage. Hopper-bottom bins with mechanical unloading are also used either inside or outside the barn. Homemake and commercial grain bins are used for storing grain in large quantities.
The feed room should be well lighted, and equipped with convenience outlets. Provide 150 watts of light and at least two convenience outlets in the feed room. The entrance door to the feed room should be at least 4' wide and equipped with a latch so that a loose horse cannot get into the feed. A good rodent control program is essential.
Tack Room. . .
A well organized and maintained tack foom that is enclosed, dry and free of dust is important to good stable management. In smaller stables it is simply an equipment storage area. In larger stables the tack room has traditionally been the horseman's headquarters for essential equipment and activities associated with horse owners. It can be simply a small area or room for riding equipment, or it can be large enough to serve as an office, a service meeting and lounging place for the clan.
Build the tack room large enough for the activities associated with it. The tack room may contain all or some of the following equipment and facilities: saddle racks, tack box, bridle and halter racks, shoeing box, first aid kit, clothes closet, storage cabinets, shelves, filing cabinets, desk, chairs, miscellaneous furniture, refrigerators, sink, working and loafing areas, heating equipment, hot and cold running water, and cooking facilities. Toilet and shower facilities may be adjacent.
Install at least 300 watts of incandescent lighting (100 watts fluorescent) per 100 sq ft of floor area and provide adequate convenience outlets.
The tack room provides a warm area in the barn when insulated and heated for winter use. Side wall and ceiling insulation 2" thick plus electric heat and ventilation economically keep the area dry and comfortable in the cold weather.
Be a smart and safe horse owner this winter season!
