What You Need to Know Before You Buy Your Stalls
Your horse stalls are one of the most important elements of your barn, but as you’ll discover, stalls vary in quality, design, size, and more. All of those factors can make shopping for horse stalls confusing, and at American Stalls, we answer many questions about designing and buying horse stalls.
Today, we’re sharing the answers to some of the questions we hear most often with you.
How big should my horse stalls be?
The correct Horse Stall size will depend on the size of your horses and how you’ll be using your barn. Most average-sized horses can fit in 12x12-foot stalls, but a larger or smaller stall may be best depending on the horses you own. Foaling stalls need to be extra spacious, and 20x20-foot foaling stalls are common.
When in doubt, it’s always better to opt for a slightly larger stall, which will give you more flexibility. Putting horses in a stall that’s too small for them can increase the risk of injury if they become cast, plus it may make them less willing to lie down to rest.
What are the best materials for horse stalls?
Horse stalls are crafted from many different materials, but the quality and performance of those materials can vary. When choosing the wood fill for your stalls, we recommend using the highest-grade wood you can afford. Most softwoods are prone to warping and twisting, and Southern Yellow Pine is the only acceptable softwood for use in stalls.
Exotic hardwoods are very dense and durable, making them ideal for use in horse stalls. Additionally, HDPE plastic fillers are crafted from synthetic materials and resemble wood. They’re durable, long-lasting, and easy to clean.
Look for stalls crafted from high-quality, strong metal, too. At American Stalls, we use USA steel for its supreme strength and durability. Those steel-framed stalls are finished with top-quality powder coating to preserve the finish and the material.
What if my barn has unusual dimensions – how can I find a stall that fits?
Many prefabricated horse stalls come in standard dimensions, such as 10x10 feet or 12x12 feet. These limited dimensions may not fit well in your barn if you’re working with a non-traditional space.
In this situation, custom horse stalls will give you the best results. At American Stalls, we can custom-build stalls to your specifications, including any unique dimensions you’re working with. Being able to custom-order your stalls ensures a great fit, plus you can choose everything from the stall style to the wood fill and more.
Are sliding or hinged stall doors best?
Sliding and Hinged Stall Doors each have their advantages. Sliding stall doors are often best when you’re working with limited barn aisle space. They’re a preferred choice for busy boarding barns.
Hinged stall doors have a beautiful aesthetic, and you’ll find them on our European horse stalls. These doors have a very traditional look, but your aisle must be level to give the doors the necessary clearance.
What horse stall grill spacing is safest?
Horse stall grills are excellent for maximizing ventilation and allowing horses to socialize, but if the space between the bars is too large, horses can get their hooves caught in between the bars, leading to potential injury. When you shop for stalls, always pay careful attention to the grill spacing.
We design our Stall Front Grills with 1-inch round tubes spaced 3 inches apart, leaving just 2 inches between the bars. This design prevents even the smallest of hooves from getting caught, maximizing your stall safety.
How can I make sure my horse stalls won’t rust?
The quality of the stalls you choose and the materials used to construct them play a key role in preventing rust. At American Stalls, we start with 100% U.S. steel for quality, and we treat it to prevent rust. For example, our European Stall Fronts feature a TGIC polyester powder coat finish to protect the steel. If you’re in a coastal area, we can also apply a zinc-rich powder prime for extra protection. The hinges and plunger latches on the stalls are crafted from 304 stainless steel to prevent rust.
What horse stall safety features should I look for?
When buying horse stalls, look for safety features like:
- Grill spacing that’s small enough to prevent hooves from being caught
- Clean, finished edges
- Quality, smooth welds
- Sturdy walls to prevent horses from kicking through them
- Secure latches that horses can’t access
- Hardware that doesn’t protrude into the stall
How can I maximize ventilation in a horse stall?
To maximize ventilation in a stall, consider a stall partition with a grill to allow airflow. You can also buy horse stall doors that feature a grill or mesh in the top portion, bottom portion, or both.
European horse stalls offer excellent ventilation thanks to their open design. As an added bonus, these stalls allow horses to interact with and better see the activity in the surrounding barn, which may help reduce boredom and stall vices, like weaving.
How can I plan for changing horse stall needs, like if I decide to breed my horse?
Horse stalls are a major investment, and ideally, they should adapt to your changing needs. One way to accomplish this is to buy hinged Stall Partitions, which we custom-build at American Stalls. These hinged partitions can swing open, so you can combine two stalls into one.
If you decide to breed and need to create a foaling stall, a hinged partition can allow you to do this without requiring any major renovations or changes to your existing stall setup. Hinged partitions are also a great option for situations where you want to give a horse on stall rest some extra space, or if you want to give a large horse extra space to move around.
Why should I consider custom horse stalls?
Custom horse stalls are an excellent investment, and they give you the ability to bring your exact vision for your barn to life. At American Stalls, we custom-design and build stalls to your specifications, so you can choose the dimensions, style, wood fill, powder coat color, and more. Rather than trying to work with a prefabricated stall that might not be the best choice for your barn, we build each stall to your needs, ensuring top-quality craftsmanship and results.
Whether you’re just getting started with your barn building plans or are ready to order stalls, we’re here to help. Contact us at (855) 957-8255, email us at sales@americanstalls.com, or complete our inquiry form to schedule your sales and design consultation. Let's build something extraordinary together.
