Where to Begin? Horse Stalls 101

July 26, 2021

Your dream barn is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Any high quality barn requires plenty of time, energy, planning, and resources. That is why it is important to do it right.

Despite our best intentions, we understand that the entire process can be confusing to our prospective clients. After all, a new barn build – or renovation, for that matter – can include so many moving parts. Any barn project can include details such as permits, code requirements, choosing a builder, designing the structure, and then all the components that go inside your horse barn.

This complexity is why our team works hard to be a true partner to our clients. Our team has 16 years of experience in the equine industry. Our sales and design team members are also all horse people themselves. Rest assured, our team is here to guide you with care, attention, and equine experience.

There are so many moving parts when it comes to horse stalls. It is also doesn't help that there are conflicting ideas and designs across the internet.

That is why we have compiled a list of considerations for your horse stalls project. This will apply whether you are building a new barn or renovating an existing barn.

Consideration #1: Your Barn's Layout & Drawings

The first place to start for any horse stall project is to understand the barn's structure and layout. The first two details we consider are your aisle's width and your ceiling's height. A barn's aisle will often help our clients make their first decision between sliding horse stalls and European (hinged) horse stalls. If your aisle is less than 10' wide, we almost always recommend a sliding horse stall. If your aisle is larger than 10', our clients then have the flexibility between the two styles.

(Read more on Sliding Horse Stalls vs Hinged Horse Stalls)

The ceiling pitch and height is often another aspect we consider – especially during new barn construction. If you have the opportunity, we always recommend clients to then consider tall ceilings above 12' in height. This will help promote ventilation in your horse stalls and barn.

Consideration #2: Sliding Horse Stalls vs Hinged Horse Stalls

Once you consider your barn's structure, we recommend our clients to decide between a Sliding Horse Stall design and European (hinged) Horse Stall. This decision will be driven by a barn's function and a client's personal preference.

Consideration #3: The Climate

Are you in South Florida where your climate is harsh with humidity, heat, and salt exposure? Are you located in central Texas where Summers can bring unbearable heat? Are you in upstate New York where Winters are long?

These are all criteria that a client must consider when finalizing the design of their horse stalls. For starters, we always recommend mesh at the bottom of each horse stall door. This applies for cold and warm climates alike. This mesh horse gate will promote clean air ventilation in your barn – but provide other benefits.

Lastly, your climate will also dictate the finish of your product. Our team will always recommend galvanized steel, a zinc primer, and powder coat combination if you are in a coastal, high-salt exposure area. We will also offer these clients with the option of a hot-dip galvanized finish. In contrast, other climates are usually okay with our standard pre-galvanized and powder coat combination.

Consideration #4: Your Horses and Behaviors

Does your project include a private, backyard barn with your own horses? Do your horses get along with each other? Is one particular horse a bit more "extroverted" around another horse? How do you feed your horses?

Do you run a commercial boarding or training barn? Do your clients' horses get along with each other? Will you often have visitors in your barn? Do you want to allow access to visitors? These questions – and other behavioral tendencies – can drive decisions around upgrades such as:

1. Yoke Opening (or not)
2. Hinged Yokes or Removable Yoke Piece (to close yoke)
3. Partitions (dividers) with grilled tops
4. Feed Doors or Feed Openings

These four considerations are a great place to start your horse stall designs process. These factors will give you a foundation to visualize your barn with your clarity. You can read more on our design process at American Stalls here.

Do you have an upcoming project for your dream horse barn or your equestrian facility? Our team of experts is here to help guide you every step of the way. Please kindly feel free to send us an email at sales@americanstalls.com or a call at (855) 957-8255. Alternatively, you can also complete a Contact Us Form.

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