Important Safety Considerations in Barn Design

October 17, 2024

Guest Post by Cindy Santa Cruz of CSC Equine Design

About Cindy Santa Cruz: 

I have been a horse owner, jumper, and dressage rider for over 40 years. After growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, I moved to the US where I lived for over 20 years in Maui, Dallas and San Diego. I moved back to Mexico in 2020 and began work on the design of One and Only Mandarina Equestrian and Polo Club. I currently reside in Puerto Vallarta.

Throughout my life, I have boarded and ridden horses in many locations and facilities. That experience has allowed me to develop a very deep understanding of what works and what does not when it comes to horse care, facility design, and keeping clients happy. After all, I have been a client myself and have a very high standard of care for my horses. I have learned through personal experience the importance of site layout and the specific materials selected for footing, fencing, walkways, stall components, irrigation, ventilation, and surrounding landscaping. All of these can  be greatly affected by weather and location, so a knowledgable selection is crucial for the best results.

I am a true believer that ensuring our horses' physical and mental well-being and safety will help keep them sound and happy in the long run. My goal is to work with clients to construct their dream barn by creating an aesthetically stunning, horse friendly, practical, and low maintenance facility where their horses can thrive and have the freedom to be “horses".

Important Safety Considerations in Barn Design

When it comes to ensuring the safety of horses in a barn environment, I find it very helpful to try to think like a horse. To know their true nature and instincts. Horses are happiest in a herd and in a space that allows for open views of their surroundings. They also spend most of their time with their noses on the ground which makes good ventilation in a barn a must.  

A well-designed and maintained horse barn prioritizes safety, minimizing the risk of accidents, injuries, and illnesses. If designed properly it also provides a place for horses to socialize, rest and relax as well as an efficient design for daily workflow. 

Construction and Layout 

A horse barn must be built with strong materials capable of withstanding environmental stressors like high winds, heavy snow, or rain. Using materials like pressure-treated wood, CMU or steel ensures the structural integrity of the barn. In areas where hurricanes are common installing hurricane shutters is key to be able to shelter in place safely. Using fire retardant materials, installing fire extinguishers and having an emergency evacuation plan is crucial. Knowing the weather and sunlight/shade patterns of the location where the barn is to be built allows for the best placement of the barn to take advantage of cross ventilation, shade and sunlight during different times of the year. 

The layout of the barn should be designed to ensure safety for both horses and humans. Wide aisles, preferably at least 12 feet wide, minimize congestion and allow for easy movement in case of emergencies. The barn should also have high ceilings to prevent injuries from horses hitting their heads on beams or low ceilings. Aisle flooring that is not slippery such as rubber pavers. Proper lighting and the correct placement of electrical outlets inside the barn are also very important especially for middle of the night emergencies.  

Stall Design and Safety 

Although many stalls used today still measure 12x12 feet and are large enough for some horse breeds to move comfortably without feeling confined, there are many larger breeds such as warmbloods that would be much more comfortable in a 14 x 14-foot stall. Solid stall partitions prevent horses from kicking at each other but do not allow for socialization. This might be necessary for stallions and certain horses but in general horses are social and feel much calmer if they can see, touch and smell their neighbors. Installing upper stall grills promotes socialization. I personally prefer a combo of a solid partition section installed as a privacy screen where their grain and hay are fed as many horses are food aggressive and can become injured if they react to what they perceive as a threat to their space during mealtime. Installing grills further back still allows for socialization and greater ventilation.

Latches and doors on stalls must be horse-proof, preventing horses from escaping. I have known many horses that are like “Houdini” with their mouths and can escape all kinds of enclosures! I personally had a horse that could open practically any latch and would then proceed to open his barn mate’s latch as well!  

If horses are spending much of their time in their stalls it is important to have the proper flooring. Interlocking rubber mats or Stall Mattress Systems allow horses to rest their joints and cuts down on the amount of bedding needed. Ideally if space is available, you can install runs connected to each stall for further freedom of movement. A horse that has space to move around is much happier and healthier. If we think of horses in the wild, they are always moving, foraging and socializing. In our current world it is very difficult to provide this for them due to the lack of open space but if we keep this in mind when designing our barns, we can try to provide some of what they would have in nature. 

In summary

The proper design of a horse barn should consider structural, architectural, and operational components. Each aspect—from the materials used in construction to the way the barn is laid out and outfitted and of course managed—contributes to creating an environment that minimizes the risk of injury and enhances the health and safety of both horses and humans. A well-designed barn is a haven for our horses that should allow them to rest, recover and relax. They give so much to us wholeheartedly that we owe them a safe and comfortable environment to call home. 

Do you have any questions on this article or simply need help with your upcoming project? You can reach us at sales@americanstalls.com or a call at (855) 957-8255. Alternatively, you can also complete a Contact Us Form. We also encourage you to visit CSC Equine Design's wonderful website for more information and to get in touch with Cindy Santa Cruz for your facility's design needs. 

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