Blogs

3 Products to Manage Horse Stall Bedding

April 06, 2022

Bedding can be one of the most overlooked (and costly) aspects of managing a barn. In this blog, we share three highly effective solutions to reduce bedding waste, save money, and keep your horses comfortable. From our easy-to-install Bedding Blocker to the advanced StableComfort mattress system, these products are designed to make daily barn life more efficient.

How to Start a Barn Renovation or New Build

March 30, 2022

Whether it is a barn renovation or a new build, it can often be difficult to determine where to even begin. Over the years, our team has gained invaluable experience with thousands of barn owners. Our projects include everything from private barns in one’s backyard to large-scale commercial developments.

No matter the scale of your project, the principles often remain the same from barn to barn. In this article, we’ve compiled a handful of articles that we’ve written in the past. These articles cover everything from horse stalls to barn design to choices in horse stall flooring. We hope that the below compilation will not only equip you with the right knowledge, but will allow you to make more informed decisions.

The Basics of the Process:

In addition to the above 3 articles, we also recommend clients to review our Barn Design Guide and updated Product Catalog .

The Basics for the Barn Structure:

Horse Stalls 101:

Understanding Finishes & Maintenance:

Horse Stall and Barn Flooring:

Do you have more questions regarding your existing stall doors or a new stalls project? Contact us today and our team would be happy to assist with any questions and project planning.

The 2 Types of Sliding Horse Stall Fronts

March 30, 2022

Sliding Horse Stall Fronts are one of the most popular options in horse barns. Sliding Horse Stalls are popular with good reason as they are often safe, reliable, and functional for most horse barns. Most stall fronts and stall doors can be extremely dressy and elegant as well – depending on the customizations.

When it comes to Sliding Horse Stall Fronts, they are two main styles available. The first is what we call Fully Welded Stall Fronts. The second is what we call a Sliding Horse Stall Front Kit – keyword being “kit.” A client’s construction skills, intended design, and budget will often determine which of the two styles is right for your project.

In this article, we would like to walk you through the differences to consider between the two options. Let’s dive in!

The Horse Stall Kit

Horse stall kits are sold in a variety of “pieces.” The client will then assemble the kit onsite by themselves or with the help of a general contractor. A horse stall kit includes components such as:

The sliding horse stall door
Grillwork (also known as “grates”)
U-Channels that hold the tongue and groove lumber in place
Track System and Pin Lock Latch

Horse stall kits tend to be more cost-effective when compared to fully welded sliding horse stalls. Why? it is because horse stall kits because there is less welding and labor involved in the manufacturing.

Although kit horse stalls are more cost-effective upfront, please consider that they do require more installation time. This added time will drive up the install cost if you intend to hire a contractor to install the horse stalls.

Sliding Horse Stall Kits can be a beautiful option for your barn. The Stall Door and Grillwork can both be fully custom built to achieve your intended look and functionality. For example, the Sliding Stall Door can be customized with different yoke options, bottom fills (I.e. mesh or bars), and other decorative designs. The Grillwork can be customized by adding a feed hole opening or even a grilled feed door.

The Fully Welded Horse Stall System

In contrast to kit horse stalls, fully welded horse stall systems are panel systems that are prefabricated steel frames.

This means that the stall panels are ready to install the minute they deliver to your farm. In contrast to horse stall kit, this means that you do not need to individually frame out the stall and cut any components. Once unloaded from the flatbed truck, fully welded panels are ready to attach to existing barn support columns or assemble to create a freestanding horse stall structure.

Pre-welded (“fully welded”) panels are often pricier than kit horse stalls. This is because there is more welding done to the stall front’s frame. Fully welded horse stall panels do help save time, labor, and cost during installation though. Fully welded stall panels can drop the installation time from 10+ man hours for a kit horse stall to about two man-hours for a fully welded system. This consideration brings the cost comparison to be much closer at the end.

In addition, pre-welded frames, partitions, and horse stall fronts add the benefit of greater strength because of additional welding across all components.

Similar to a horse stall kit, a Fully Welded Sliding Stall Front system can be completely customized to meet your envisioned look and function. The Horse Stall Door itself can be customized many ways including:

Custom Yokes – V-Shaped, Rectangular, and other Designs
Filled Yokes – Hinged Drop Down Yokes or Removable Pieces
Custom Feed Options – Feed Hole Opening, Grilled Feed Door, or a Swivel Hay Feeder
Custom Water Options – Integrated Water Lines, Automatic Waterer Systems, and More
Custom Aesthetic Designs – Wood In-Fill Centers and Bottoms, Mesh Bottoms, Grilled Bottoms, Shavings Guards, and more

While the above is a great starting point, we do understand that each barn is different. Your personal style, your horses, your barn’s purpose, and so many other variables affect your stall front decisions. Our team is here to help guide you through the process. Contact us today if you may have any questions. It is our goal to help you pick the right Sliding Horse Stall Front option for your barn.

Question Mailbag – Horse Stall Doors

March 30, 2022

We recently asked our social media community if they had any questions regarding our luxury horse stalls. We were pleased to receive many questions regarding our horse stalls – particularly our stall doors.

Whether it is an exterior Dutch Door or an interior horse stall door, stall doors are an important part of your barn. The right choice in these doors can improve the day-to-day ease of your barn. We have compiled a list of 4 questions that we received frequently along with our responses.

Question 1 – “I’m building a new barn and am wondering what is the best width and height for my doors. Should the Dutch Doors leading to the Paddocks be the same size as the interior Sliding Stall Doors?”

Our Response: In the vast majority of our barn projects, both Dutch Doors and the horse stall doors are the same width and height. Regardless of your horses’ breed(s), we recommend a minimum door width of 48″. This width is often safe and functional for most breeds. That being said, in an ideal world, we recommend clients to opt with what we consider “standard” which is 52″ wide.

In regards to height, most barns will have horse stall doors and partitions around 7′ tall to 8’6″ tall. We recommend our “standard” height of 8′ tall for both the Dutch Door and interior Sliding Horse Stall Door.

Question 2 – “I live in South Carolina and it gets incredibly hot in the Spring and Summer. I’m considering to add mesh or a grilled bottom to the bottom of our horse stall doors. Is there a better, recommended option between the two?

Our Response: In 2022, a “vented” bottom on horse stall doors is an increasingly popular upgrade. A vented bottom means that the bottom half of the door includes welded steel mesh or welded 1″ round bars. Between the two options, it is truly a personal preference. There is no better option between the two – mesh and grilled bottom. That being said, below are a few things to consider:

Mesh makes for a more modern and contemporary look. In contrast, grilled bottoms tend to be a bit more traditional and vintage.
Both options are equally safe. However, they must be manufactured with safety in mind. That means attention to details when it comes to design and materials.
When using mesh, we recommend to use a heavy-duty gauge that has no more than 2″ of spacing. We also recommend that the horizontal mesh rod is positioned in the exterior of a stall door. This means that the vertical rod is in the stall interior – ensuring no hooves can climb up and get stuck. If you are considering 1″ round bars, we recommend to ensure the bars are a minimum 14-GA and spaced no more than 2.5″ apart (on center). .

Question 3 – “I’ve been in hundreds of barns. One thing that drives me crazy is shavings and bedding coming out of the stall. Is there anything I can do in my stall door design to keep the bedding inside the stall?”

Our Response: This is a common question we get from clients. It is an important point because bedding in the aisle means that bedding is going waste. This inefficiency of bedding leads to higher costs in shavings. This doesn’t factor in the fact that shavings in the aisle is an eyesore. The first thing that we recommend to our clients is to add a shavings guard to their horse stall door. This shavings guard comes in 2 main designs – one that features all steel and the second option is a piece of lumber framed by steel.

This shavings guard is often 4″ to 6″ tall – ensuring that bedding is contained within your horse stall when the door is closed. That solves the bedding issue when the stall door is closed, but what to do when the door is open? This is where we recommend our Bedding Blocker product to clients.

The Bedding Blocker is a shavings guard system that is exclusively designed for both interior and exterior horse stall doors. It is installed at the base of a door opening to keeping the shavings inside your horse stall. Our Bedding Blocker is guaranteed to save you valuable time cleaning and money on wasted shavings.

Do you have any additional questions? Please reach out to our sales and design team at (855) 957-8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com. Our team of expert consultants would love to sit down, understand your questions, and provide our 18+ years of experience.

3 Horse Barns with 6 Stalls or Less

March 30, 2022

Most of us equestrians dream of the day to have our dream barn. That dream barn is often at home in our personal farm. While our team is often involved with large barn projects, we wanted to write this post to inspire our clients who want to build smaller dream barns in their property.

Here are five horse barns with six horse stalls or less – proving small-scale barns are not lacking in the design or quality.

The first barn that we’d like to feature is a project that we completed for a fantastic interior design outside of Nashville, TN. This barn was built with the intent to house our client’s horses, but also use the center aisle for entertaining guests. We worked with our client and her vision to tastefully bring it to reality. In the end, our team helped Julie Davis Interiors by custom building European Horse Stall Fronts, Partial Privacy Stall Partitions, and providing custom interlocking rubber mat kits for each stall.

Who said that the barn is JUST for horses? This barn provides clients inspiration that our beloved barns can also be multi-use for entertaining purposes at times.

The next barn that we’d like to feature is a beautiful, airy barn in Morriston, Florida. This client has had vast experience in building barn – this being her third barn! For this barn, our client chose for it to be very open and expansive in nature. She chose our custom Sliding Horse Stall Doors for the barn interior. Each door was custom built using a mesh bottom to help promote ventilation, visibility into the stall, and allow sunlight into the stall. Each stall door also included a v-shaped yoke on the top for socialization along with a beautiful steel center and bottom rail.

Our team then helped custom build grillwork to match on the stall fronts and stall partitions. Last, but not least are our Full-Sized Stall Gates positioned in the back of each stall. This decision was to match the aesthetics of the Sliding Stall Doors – while providing our client’s horses easy and safe access to Paddocks.

The last detail we loved about the above barn is the farm’s name. You can find the signage on the top left corner showing the farm’s name: Hiraeth. This is the meaning of that term: “A spiritual longing for a home which maybe never was. Nostalgia for ancient places to which we cannot return. It is the echo of the lost places of our soul’s past and our grief for them. It is in the wind, and the rocks, and the waves. It is nowhere and it is everywhere.”

It is truly a privilege to work with clients in bringing their dreams to a reality. It’s even more fulfilling when we get to see that that a barn holds such a unique significance in our clients’ lives.

While the previous two barns are located in Northern & Central Florida, this last barn is located in our backyard in Virginia. This barn is a charming 4-stall barn for a family’s four horses. Our client had recently moved into the area purchasing a new farm property. Our team then helped client with a full renovation. This project includes brand new grillwork, custom Sliding Horse Stall Doors, blanket bars, and our black rubber pavers.

Similar to the previous barn, these Sliding Stall Doors include a v-shape yoke top and mesh bottom. The difference though is in the center and bottom rails. This Virginia barn features our wood-insert HVH center and bottom – as opposed to a steel in-fill. This slight difference gives this barn that classic look that is synonymous with Hunt Country Virginia.

While our team works on many large equestrian facility projects, we find just as much pleasure in helping our clients with their smaller private barns. We help clients across North America bring their dreams to a reality – whether that is new barn construction or a barn renovation.

Do you have any questions about where to begin for your upcoming barn project? Our team would love to help answer any questions and make recommendations. 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.

How to Walk the Walk of an Equestrian with Confidence

March 30, 2022

One thing I struggled with as a young rider was performance anxiety, more commonly referred to as, “stage fright”. And in this case, the show ring was my “stage”. Stage fright is basically anxiety and panic that’s induced by the thought of the performance itself. People that suffer from either of these, often worry about failing the task before it has even begun. It took me a long time to be able to enter the ring with confidence, and I owe this in large part to walking the walk.

Everyone has nerves. Rest assured, even the top riders you know and love, have nerves too. But what sets them apart from those of us that feel overwhelmed by these tendencies to feel anxious? Is it that you are fearful that you’ll forget your course? Are you afraid of making a spectacle of yourself in front of an unfamiliar audience? Perhaps you don’t understand how to walk a course? Have you had a bad fall that seems to haunt you? The show atmosphere can be a lot to take in, especially if you’ve never been to one. All of these worries are valid, and at the end of the day nerves aren’t a bad thing, they just mean you care. But if you can master the “walk”, I think you’d be surprised at the confidence this alone will give you.

I’m going to break down a few of the biggest takeaways I have learned after years of showing that help to bolster my confidence while in the midst of a competition.

Find your why
Understand how to build / walk courses
Simulate horse shows at home
School larger / show smaller
Create a routine

Your why. Why do you want to horse show? If you find your answer revolving around fitting in with what everyone else is doing, or wanting to prove someone wrong or you are simply chasing ribbons and clout, then you need to spend some time on this point. As equestrians, it’s evident that we love our horses, we love to ride and we live for the adrenaline rush in one way or another. It should not be about proving something to the spectators. Nor should it be to please your social media followers. Clear your mind of the idea that it’s for the ribbons and titles. The focus should be about using each show as an opportunity to learn and grow as a rider and horseman. If you make this your purpose for showing, then the rest will come in due time.

Now, let’s get down to business. Courses. This is where walking the walk truly comes into play. If you want to horse show, you’ll be faced with many courses and many challenges. But before we get to the shows, let’s take a look at how we prepare at home. Let’s say you come out to the barn for your weekly ride and the course is already set. Some might think this is a blessing to be spared from lugging around the heavy standards and poles. But in reality, knowing how to set up a course is one of the most important things you will ever learn. It’s right up there with learning diagonals. It’s essential. Next time your trainer sets a course, ask if you can help. That’s right! Volunteer to do some hard work. I promise you the benefit will far outweigh the work, even if you walk out of the ring with a few extra splinters on your hands.

Walk the walk! Why is learning how to set and walk a course so essential? Learning the basic fundamental principals of setting a course will help you to learn what a “stride” is. If you want to be able to tackle something on horseback, I first suggest you understand it from the ground.

The average horse has a 12-foot stride. In comparison, one horse stride is equal to four human steps. A horses take off and landing stride measures as two human steps or six feet. So if you want to set a one stride line, you would walk 2 steps for take off, 4 steps for a stride, and another 2 steps for take off. The distance between the two jumps will be about ~24 feet. Now, I don’t know about you, but I never thought I would have to use math to be able to jump a horse, but there it is.

We walk our own stride to be able to convert those steps to horse strides. It’s kind of like goldilocks and the three bears (too hot, too cold, just right). Stay with me here…If we are lucky, the lines are “just right”, or “normal”. Some might be “long”. And some will be “short”. The reason walking a course is so important is that it helps give you a sense of how much ground your horse will cover in one stride. Once you know that, you can assist your horse better depending on if they have a short stride, a normal stride, or a big stride. Essentially, this is how you determine if the line is a “woah”, a “go”, or a “flow” for your horse. It’s a nice little rhyme, but even handier when you understand the terminology.

Now that you understand how to walk a line and access your horses stride, let’s talk about the other factors you’ll need to keep in mind as you walk the walk. How will you enter the ring? What lead will you come off of to approach jump one? If you compete in the jumpers, where are your start and end timers? Occasionally, you may have the option of a handy turn or a rollback. Will you be conservative and take the “outside” turn? Or will you take the daring “inside” turn? The course walk is your opportunity to gauge what turns, approaches, pace and strides will best suit your horse. If you are aware of what awaits your horse, then you will be prepared to guide your horse and avoid needless errors.

One of my favorite things to do to prepare for a show is to simulate the horse show at home. For instance, if you are going to show in the jumpers, maybe you will practice how you enter the ring, or how you will use your time before the buzzer sounds. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, if we have a weakness, this leaves room for fears to take hold.

So how can you make your weaknesses a thing of the past? Maybe you lose track of where you are in a line? Maybe you struggle particularly with a bending line set on a half stride? Maybe it’s a one stride combination. It could even be something as simple as a long approach down to an oxer, or the jump with a liver-pool underneath it. The take away here is that the more you practice at home, the better prepared you will feel at the show because it won’t feel “new”. Knowledge and being prepared are the keys to confidence and success. And this is why taking the time to properly do the course walk is essential.

As equestrian rob you of something that is meant to be enjoyed. Set yourself up for success. Show smaller, school larger. Just because you jump a bit bigger at home, doesn’t mean you should jump that big at a show. Slow and steady wins the race. Take your time moving up. Enter in a class lower than what you normally school at a home, and you will feel overly prepared. This is how you will build on your many layers of confidence. After all, it’s called walking the walk, not sprinting a marathon.

Lastly, establish your routine. Organization, preparation, and routines are the key elements to harnessing your worries, and building your confidence. If you don’t know where to begin, here’s what I like to do:

Get to the show early
Take a photo of the course / visually take in the arena
Create your plan
Walk the course as soon as possible
Mentally rehearse the course by reciting the jumps by number/color and strides
Take your horse for a walk around the show grounds
Check the ring
Slowly groom your horse and tack up
Head to the ring early to properly warm up without rush
Recite the course with eyes closed one last time
Take a deep breath, pat your horse, execute the plan you’ve created
HAVE FUN – Enjoy your moment

This blog post was authored by our client, Melina Poole-Minnillo, who operates MPM Sport Horses.

Melina & MPM Sport Horses specialize in jumpers, hunters & equitation. MPM emphasizes a solid foundation and the understanding of proper horse care, flat work and the mechanics behind riding for any discipline. Melina values instilling the importance of fundamentals, having fun and training a positive mindset while advancing her students to their fullest potential. Melina takes great pride in going above and beyond to provide the absolute best feed and care for her equine partners, and a positive environment for all riders.

In addition to becoming a riding instructor, Melina spends her time finding quality import prospects to bring to the United States to further their development and pair with their perfect rider. MPM Sport Horses proudly also work with fellow professionals in the sales, exercise, care and training, and development of quality hunter/jumper horses in the area.

Follow MPM Sport Horses on Instagram at @mpmsporthorses or Facebook.

The Bedding Blocker Explained

March 30, 2022

Say goodbye to messy barn aisles and wasted bedding. Our new Bedding Blocker system is a simple, safe, and effective solution designed to keep bedding in and mud out—helping you save money and keep your barn clean. Easy to install and built to last, it's a must-have for stalls with in-and-outs or high traffic areas.

3 Flooring Options for Your Barn's Aisle

January 05, 2022

Your decision in your aisle flooring will affect how you use your barn in the long run. It can affect day-to-day aspects such as caring for your horses and how you keep your aisles clean. Your aisle flooring can also impact how visitors see your equine operations for the first time when they step foot in your barn.

How to Get the Most out of Your Riding Lessons

December 27, 2021

Many people may think of themselves or others as being a student. But what is the meaning behind this word? Most definitions you will find go something like this: “a person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning; especially, one who attends a school, or who seeks knowledge from professional teachers or books and examines thoughtfully”.

Regardless of what you are a student of, being a student is like having a job, one that should be held in the highest regard. I was a student majoring in equestrianism, and still am. That’s how seriously I take my riding. Why? Good students in the equestrian world view riding and learning as an honor and a privilege. An opportunity to perfect their craft in hopes of rising to a higher level of mastery. Being a good student is something I have always held near and dear to my heart. I was born putting my whole heart into anything I set out to do. Now, I hope to inspire my own students and readers to adapt to this mindset.

As riders, it is natural to have idols and people to admire. We admire their effortless equitation, their flawless round, their horsemanship, their endless knowledge, and let’s not forget the horses that are practically real life unicorns. A lot of people lose sight of the work that was put in by their idols to allow them to get to that level. Most of those individuals that we aspire to be like are professional students, if you ask me. They have learned the artistry behind studying and applying their knowledge. Showing up at the barn just won’t cut it. Just like showing up to “class” won’t guarantee your grade or knowledge retained. You can groom, tack up, ride, cool down, and repeat this cycle on a loop without any improvement. But why is that? You are at the barn, in the saddle, shouldn’t that be enough? It won’t ever be, “enough”. You will always lack purpose and intention if you have the mindset of “good enough” instead of “being the best that I can be”. That’s why when I work with a new student, the first thing I instill is organization.

Make a Checklist

If you can lock down organization, this will pave the way for stepping stones to success. You should always practice with purpose, intention, and a term I refer to as “policing”. Accountability and “policing” are very similar. The difference is that policing is something you do yourself rather than relying on others. It comes down to “policing” yourself as you ride by engaging your mind/muscle connection when your trainer isn’t able to watch you. Make a mental checklist of the things your trainer has stressed to you in recent lessons. A mental checklist if you will. Are your hands too low? Are your legs at the girth? Are your fingers closed against the reins? Are you slouching through your shoulders? Is your core engaged? This mental list will vary person to person, but we all should have one, and you have to write it down! By learning this mindset of riding with intentionality, you can begin to create objectives for both you and your horse each week.

Keep a Journal / Calendar

Once you grab the reins of organization, you will learn to love calendars and journals. I like to plan my schedule each week not just for my own horses, but for my students as well. I help my students decide what days to plan for a jump lesson, a training ride, what days to flat in between and what should be practiced on those days. A good student will journal and keep track of their lessons/rides so they can take note of all the things they should be studying and practicing as homework outside of lessons. It is also a great way to record the things that went well, new accomplishments and determining what new goals you should establish for yourself or your horse. Setting small attainable goals is key!

Ultimately, your trainer can provide you with the homework, but they can’t hold your hand and force you to do it; it’s a choice that has to be made by you. You, and only you, are the thing that stands between success and failure. Which goes back to accountability. Homework will look different for each individual rider because it should be personalized and not “one size fits all”. Chances are, at the end of your lesson your trainer will recap what you did well and what didn’t go so well. That’s your cue that you do indeed have homework, and learning doesn’t need to stop when your lesson is over.

Do Your Homework & Get the Most out of Your Lessons

Being a good student requires finding your own sense of independence and responsibility. Want to get the most out of your lessons? Leave the excuses behind. Fight the urge to excuse your flaws. Instead, embrace the constructive criticism, soak up the knowledge. Shut up, and buck up. This may sound harsh, but if you spend less time making excuses for you or your horse, and just RIDE, that alone will knock down a barrier that’s most likely in the way of your success. Take the criticism and use it to fuel your motivation during future rides. Don’t just ride, ride with a purpose. Remembering all of the things you or your horse should be practicing outside of your lessons. I promise you, your trainer isn’t pointing out these things to belittle you, they only want to help you improve and truly become the best that you can be.

Fight the urge to respond defensively or with an excuse or explanation. Process what your trainer is saying and just apply it. If there’s something you don’t understand, don’t ever be afraid to ask a question. A good student asks questions. If you find yourself still not fully understanding something at the end of the lesson, take the time to ask your trainer what your homework should be, or if they can explain their feedback to you a bit more in depth. After all, a lesson is just a period of your learning, so make sure you use that time to do just that, learn.

Research is Free

Everywhere we look we can find credible resources to further our education. Some of my personal favorites I like referencing to are:

A good student knows that their learning doesn’t stop in the saddle, it can be applied in the barn and at home as well. Have you ever watched your trainer do something, and settle with watching them do it as being enough? Train your brain to be a do-er and not just a watcher, give it a go for yourself! Don’t know how to dress a wound? Don’t know how to switch a bit? Don’t know how to walk a line or set courses? Don’t just let someone do it for you and pass up the opportunity to learn. Embrace challenges and new opportunities to fail, and learn from them. After all, failure, for the committed, often leads to eventual success. When it comes to improving our riding, nothing can replace time in the saddle, I of all people get that. But we can actively further our knowledge in and outside of the barn.

Be the Best Student

Now I may sound like a broken record, but the biggest take away here is SELF. It’s not about the barn, your horse, your clothes or your social circle. If you want to be the best that you can be, you have to learn to be a good student. Being a student in and of itself is something that must be learned. A good student makes horsemanship a priority. A good student is always eager to learn and face new challenges. A good student will spend more time listening and applying, than they do making excuses. A good student will learn time management and organization. A good student will ask for homework. A good student will reap their rewards. A good student will tackle their goals. A good student will noticeably make strides of improvement. A good student will become a great horseman. And the best student never loses the passion to learn and further their education and abilities.

This blog post was authored by our client, Melina Poole-Minnillo, who operates MPM Sport Horses. Melina & MPM Sport Horses specialize in jumpers, hunters & equitation. MPM emphasizes a solid foundation and the understanding of proper horse care, flat work and the mechanics behind riding for any discipline. Melina values instilling the importance of fundamentals, having fun and training a positive mindset while advancing her students to their fullest potential. Melina takes great pride in going above and beyond to provide the absolute best feed and care for her equine partners, and a positive environment for all riders.

In addition to becoming a riding instructor, Melina spends her time finding quality import prospects to bring to the United States to further their development and pair with their perfect rider. MPM Sport Horses proudly also work with fellow professionals in the sales, exercise, care and training, and development of quality hunter/jumper horses in the area.

Follow MPM Sport Horses on Instagram at @mpmsporthorses or Facebook.

Peace of Mind with Pre-Show Packing

December 20, 2021

It’s the week of the show, and you’ve got a million things on your mind. Instead of winging it last minute, put your mind at ease with a little preparation. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, I am a huge advocate for organization and preparation. Two things that I believe go hand in hand and lead to success. If you are organized, you will know where everything is, and if you are prepared that means everything you will need is ready to go. And that will give you peace of mind.

As I prepare my own students for a show this weekend, I’d like to share some of the lists that I have helped them put together. It can be especially nerve racking if you haven’t been to a horse show before. Without guidance, it can be a lot to take in and believe me it’s easy to forget important items. I found that breaking the lists down into three separate categories makes sense, is easier and helps the process along: Stable Supplies, Horse, and Rider.

STABLE SUPPLIES

Shavings (can be pre-purchased through the show venue)
Grain, hay & supplements (always pack extra in case your travel home is postponed)
2 water buckets
1 feed pan
2 double sided snap clips (great to have on hand for hanging buckets or miscellaneous items)
Bailing twine & zip ties
1-2 stall fans
Extension cord
Muck bucket & pitchfork / shovel (or wheelbarrow)
Hose (in case one isn’t provided)
Hanging tack hook (for halter)
Bridle rack(s) / saddle rack(s)
Set of cross ties
Storage shelves
White board
Mirror
Tack trunk
Tack cleaner
Safety pins (for tacking your show number onto your saddle pad)
Medical / emergency supplies & first aid kit

HORSE

Copy of Coggins / shot records
Halter / Lead rope
Grooming brushes & sprays
Bathing supplies (shampoos, stain remover, sponge)
Towels
Shipping boots / standing wraps / ice boots
Splint boots / liners / bell boots / polo wraps
Saddle pads (schooling & show)
Half pad / non-slip pad
Girth
Saddle
Martingale / breastplate
Bridle / bit(s)
Ear plugs / bonnets
Treats

RIDER

Garment bag / boot bag / backpack
Schooling clothes
Show clothes (shirts / pants / show jacket)
Belt
Gloves
Spurs / crop
Helmet (hairnets, spare hair ties, brush)
Tall boots
Sunscreen / chapstick
Visor or hat
Water / SNACKS

So there it is, a fairly complete listing of what you will need at the show for you, your horse and for your horse’s stay at the show venue. In some cases, your trainer will provide some of the barn items on my list, but make sure you know in advance what that is so you can bring what they don’t provide.

Some barns will transport your barn trunk to the show which makes things a lot easier. Just be sure to check in advance that everything you will need is in your trunk. There is nothing worse than opening the trunk to grab something you need at the show only to find it isn’t there.

I hope these list suggestions will be helpful to you, and I recommend you review mine and modify as your requirements dictate.

Happy showing!

This blog post was authored by our client, Melina Poole-Minnillo, who operates MPM Sport Horses. Melina & MPM Sport Horses specialize in jumpers, hunters & equitation. MPM emphasizes a solid foundation and the understanding of proper horse care, flat work and the mechanics behind riding for any discipline. Melina values instilling the importance of fundamentals, having fun and training a positive mindset while advancing her students to their fullest potential. Melina takes great pride in going above and beyond to provide the absolute best feed and care for her equine partners, and a positive environment for all riders.

In addition to becoming a riding instructor, Melina spends her time finding quality import prospects to bring to the United States to further their development and pair with their perfect rider. MPM Sport Horses proudly also work with fellow professionals in the sales, exercise, care and training, and development of quality hunter/jumper horses in the area.

Follow MPM Sport Horses on Instagram at @mpmsporthorses or Facebook.

Our Stall Gates – Explained

December 15, 2021

American Stalls has been crafting premium stall gates since 2008, focusing on safety, functionality, and elegance. Their gates are constructed with heavy-duty steel tubing, safely spaced bars, and durable powder coat finishes to ensure longevity and security.

6 Types of Horse Barn Structures

November 22, 2021

In today’s market, there are various types of barn designs, building materials, and barn types. That being said, there are 3 to 4 basic structures that are most popular for horses. In this post, we'd like to cover the different types of popular horse barns and things you should consider during the process.

The first type of barn – and most common – is the post and beam barn. This barn is also referred to as a pole barn, framed barn, and panelized “pre-fabricated” barn. Secondly, we will discuss clear span barn structures. Thirdly, we will discuss the increasingly popular block barns found in hotter climates. Lastly, we will discuss other options such as stabling inside indoor arenas.

Looking for Barn Design that will save you time? We wrote about it extensively in our previous blog posts.

Post & Beam Barns

It is likely that you have been through hundreds of horse barns. If so, it is likely that you’ve walked in many post and beam barns. The post and beam barn (also known as a “pole barn”) is especially popular along the east coast.

This particular style is very popular because it can be put up in a cost-effective manner. There are also times when a general contractor who puts up the shell and the remaining work is left to the builder.

Wood Post & Beam Barn at Chesapeake Dressage Institute in Annapolis, MD

Additionally, the pole barn has cost advantages because it is usually pre-engineered for most land sites or not engineered at all. These barns are usually made with 6’x6’ or 4’x4’ timbers on 12’ or 14’ centers. It is then covered using a single wall construction of tongue and groove lumber (T&G). Luxury barn builders will go one step further when insulation is required. In these cases, the barn’s exterior will be framed with a sheer wall and a finished wall on the barn interior.

Although wood is a great choice for these post and beam barns, it is important to acknowledge that these barns have a limited lifespan. This is because the wood needs to be protected from the horses who may chew, crib or eat the exposed edges. Another consideration is that the column spacing limits what can be done with the barn’s interior. In other words, this is a single use structure that is limited by its configuration.

Panelized Barns

Panelized horse barns are also referred to as “prefab barns.” These particular barns are sold under common brand names and are often found in California, Oregon, Washington, and Texas. Panelized barns are cost-effective structures that do the basic job of housing your horses. These structures can also be built quickly without much permit issues. That being said, these barns offer little to no flexibility for alternative uses and are architecturally uninspiring.

Framed Barns

Framed barns provide the most flexibility and functionality when it comes to post and beam construction. These particular buildings are common used when there must be an upper story to the barn for an apartment, office, or other application.

Framed barns are built similarly to homes because they use a double wall construction. This construction allows for more architectural detail and creativity in building materials. The sky (and a client’s budget) is truly the limit in these buildings.

Clear Span Buildings – Steel & Wood

Clear span barns (both wood and steel) may or may not have a framed wall. They do use the truss to clear the span in the shorter side of the building. The trusses are usually one of three types: timber trusses, metal tube trusses, and scissor trusses. These engineered buildings tend to require savvy builders due to the need for a foundation.

Once permitting and the foundation is done, a clear span building can be built quickly offsite and "assembled" (bolted) together on the job site. In terms of budget, clear span buildings can be utilitarian – using inexpensive siding and roofing materials. They can also be extremely costly if you add stone walls, slate roofs, and steeper roof pitches.

Clear span steel barns are fantastic in terms of longevity since horses do not have places to chew. Lastly, they offer clients flexibility as the building can be used for other purposes in the case of a future sale.

Indoor Arenas with Stabling

Covered or fully enclosed arenas are growing in popularity – especially in geographies that have harsher climate. Although you might have a barn in addition to the arena, it can be worth it to also plan limited stabling with the arena. Horse stalls can be installed off the arena’s long side or short side depending on your quantity needs. An indoor arena also offers flexibility as the side spaces can accommodate everything from stalls to office space to vehicle storage.

Block Barns ("CMU")

For starters, “CMU” is also known as cinder block. Block (CMU) barns are increasingly popular in geographies with warmer climates that are prone to inclement weather. Block barns are very popular in Florida because of their strength again hurricanes and tropical storms.

CMU barns make for a great structure that will last against the elements – including weather and horses’ day-to-day wear and tear. We do recommend to find a high-quality builder for any barn structure, but especially block barns. This is because there are certain details that need to be done right to ensure your barn is safe for your horses and built to last.

The interiors of two different block barns with our European Stall Fronts – Cornersville, Tennessee (Left) and Vero Beach, Florida (Right)

For example, some horse owners express concerns the block’s hardness. Cinder block walls can be covered with padded rubber in the horse stalls. Additionally, block edges and corners must be either ground down or covered with a steel angle iron.

If you are considering a block barn, we also recommend to loop our team well in-advance to ensure there is sound communication between the builder, our team, and the architects. This is to ensure openings are accurate to ensure stalls, doors, partitions, windows, and other components are correctly built.

Do you have any questions about what is the best barn structure for you? Our team would love to help answer any questions and make recommendations. 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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Post & Beam Barns

Panelized Barns

Framed Barns

Clear Span Buildings – Steel & Wood

Indoor Arenas with Stabling

Block Barns ("CMU")

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