Blogs

Last week, we kicked off the first round of our Small Business Spotlight Series on Equivont. As our equine community navigates COVID-19, we wanted to continue to spotlight equine businesses that do tremendous work.

This week, we'd love to feature one of our lovely clients: Rose of Sharon Equestrian School (ROSES) located in Glen Arm, MD.

ROSES, founded by Joan Marie Twining, provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to develop basic horsemanship and stable management skills in a uniquely therapeutic environment.

In 2019, our American Stalls team had the opportunity of working with Joan when ROSES purchased an Elite Show Series MINI stall.

Ever since, we have seen firsthand the impact that ROSES makes to the local Maryland community.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Joan and ask a few questions about their story. Read more below!

Q: How did Rose of Sharon Equestrian School (ROSES) begin?
A: The planning of ROSES began in 1993, when a carpenter with 12 acres of family farmland married a special educator who had a dream to help students with disabilities through her love of horses.

By the summer of 1997, ground was broken for the construction of an ADA-compliant Therapeutic Horsemanship Program. ROSES was granted IRS 501(c)(3) status in 1998. By the spring of the following year, the equine portion of the stable was completed, and two donated horses, Merlin and Fancy, made ROSES their home.

Over the course of the next two years, on nights and weekends, construction continued, with the addition of an accessible restroom, tack room, feed room, mounting ramp, and outdoor riding ring – designed and surfaced with the special needs horse and rider in mind.

At last, in the fall of 2001, ROSES welcomed the school’s first two therapeutic riding students.

Q: What is ROSES's mission?
A: ROSES’s mission is to partner with horses to facilitate change, growth and healing in individuals with special needs. It’s the change, growth and healing we have been privileged to witness over the last 20 years that is at the heart of our mission and the most rewarding aspect of our work.

The benefits transfer to our students’ lives beyond the scope of the School as we continue to see the way the program positively impacts not only the students, but everyone involved, from our horses to our volunteers, to our board members and beyond.

Q: What do you enjoy most about operating ROSES?
A: The most enjoyable thing about operating ROSES is the way the life of everyone involved seems to be so deeply enriched by that involvement. People who have been students or volunteers from a decade ago will pop back around and feel as though they never left.

Q: How has COVID-19 impacted ROSES so far?
A: COVID-19 has seriously impacted ROSES in that classes are cancelled, fundraising parties are postponed, and donations have dried up. This is anxiety producing for a small charitable organization. We do not receive government funding and rely on individual contributions, fundraising proceeds, and minimal fees for service in order to operate.

While we realize we are not as vital a need as food and shelter, we believe human needs include physical, mental and social/emotional well-being, as well. We are doing all we can to hold steady until students can return to the farm or we can travel to them. We have been approached by a local hospital to develop a program for patients and their families, as well as one to help address staff morale.

Q: What are you most excited about the future?
A: I am excited to see how the next chapter of ROSES will unfold. Our facility has room to grow in terms of the number of people served. We were prepared to embark on a mobile program with our two miniature horses, Cooper and Ginger, before the pandemic hit.

We will be ready to go once restrictions are lifted and we all believe that our services will be needed more than ever once that happens.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses (similar to ROSES) during these tough times?
A: Don’t panic, don’t get bogged down in catastrophic thinking. Try to remain creative, seek advice from and consider partnerships with others...I read something recently by the economist/philosopher Michael Singer. He said: “No solution can possibly exist while you’re lost in the energy of a problem.” We are holding onto that bit of advice at ROSES and believing that there are better days ahead!

“No solution can possibly exist while you’re lost in the energy of a problem.”

- Michael Singer

To learn more about Rose of Sharon Equestrian School and it’s fantastic Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, please check out their website here.

Welcome to the first round of our Small Business Spotlight Series at American Stalls!

It's currently April 7, 2020 – a time where we are dealing with the ramifications of COVID-19. We are not only dealing with this virus as individuals, but as a greater equine community. Our American Stalls team realizes just how much this virus will impact our communities, our businesses, and our day-to-day lives. For this reason, we wanted to begin this Small Business Feature Series to help feature fantastic equine businesses.

This week, we'd like to feature one of our e-commerce partners: Equivont.

Equivont, founded by Jaclyn and Jessica, is an online marketplace and directory service created by equestrians for equestrians.

Our American Stalls team began to advertise and sell our select product line on Equivont during the early Winter of 2019. Their online marketplace is a fantastic platform for other equine product businesses, sales and training operations, and a wide variety of equine businesses. Below is an example profile that one can set up on Equivont user friendly website:

We've had a wonderful experience with Equivont and believe it is a huge asset for many other equine businesses.

We recently had a chance to sit down with Equivont's founders, Jessica and Jaclyn, and ask a few questions about their story. Read more below!

Q: What are your backgrounds?

A: Jaclyn – I have been riding since I could walk! After college, I rode professionally for several years before joining Jessica in the tech world. I now enjoy riding as an amateur in hunter/jumper divisions and love connecting with other passionate equestrians! 

Jessica - I grew up riding horses in Southern California. During high school and college, I rode professionally and decided to take a stab at the tech world after graduating. I spent many years in sales, business development, customer success  and marketing roles in marketing software companies and would “sneak away” to ride horses early in the morning or late in the evening. I wanted a way to merge my software background with my passion for horses. 

Q: How did Equivont begin?
A: Out of selfish need! We got frustrated trying to research equestrian services online when word of mouth didn’t work. We quickly realized how outdated information was. Searching on Google or Yelp were too broad for our needs. We partnered up to create an environment where equestrians could find what they are looking for by partnering with reputable service providers and businesses with high quality products. 

Q: What products/services does Equivont offer?
A: Everything you would need for you or your horse. Trainers, stable supplies, farriers, vets, tack, apparel, equipment, horses for sale/lease, events and jobs. 

"Now is the time to evolve and be creative. We get to help one another through these uncertain times. Now is the time to decide what really matters in life and in business."

Q: What do you enjoy most about operating Equivont?
A: Helping small equestrian businesses be found by the people who are looking for them. Oh! And talking about horses. 

Q: How has COVID-19 affected Equivont so far?
A: So far we have seen an increase in traffic- people who aren’t used to working from home or having time off are spending more time on their computers and phones. Some businesses are having to pause production or the services they provide due to the COVID restrictions. A lot of these businesses are using this time to get organized and finally tackle the marketing/website development/etc that has been put on the back burner.

Q: What tip would you give other businesses similar to Equivont (i.e. online retailers, online tack shops, etc) during these tough times?
A: Keep going! Worrying has never solved any problems. Now is the time to evolve and be creative. We get to help one another through these uncertain times. Now is the time to decide what really matters in life and in business.

To learn more about Equivont and it's fantastic online marketplace, please check out the informational video below and check out their website here.

Temperature.

Humidity.

Wind.

Wind direction.

Sunrise and sunset times.

Thanks to fantastic weather apps, we all have expert weather information at the palm of our hands.

Yet, there's more to consider than the above elements when determining if it’s too hot to ride this summer.

Here are some practical tips to help you make the call when you ask, “how hot is too hot?” for equestrian activities:

1. Horses that already live in warm climates are at least somewhat acclimated to the environment. However, we advise you to use precaution if you have a horse that has recently arrived from a cooler, drier climate. This is because it can take 21 days for the horse to get used to the new climate. Leading experts advise light workloads during this period of time as horses adjust to their new environment.
   
   
2. As mentioned above, horses have to acclimatize to their workloads under their new, hotter, and stickier environment. If a horse is already fit going into summer, he’s more likely to tolerate the heat in an effective manner. If not, we recommend to gradually add exercise into the horse's routine – while also lowering it down when the temperatures soar.
   
   
3. Sweat – otherwise known as evaporation – is a horse’s primary means of cooling himself. There are other methods of heat dissipation though including convection, radiation, and even conduction — all of which play a role too. Finding a cool breeze and seeking shade is key when the Summer heat begins to feel burdensome. Offer horses a drink before, during, and after exercise and apply/scrape/repeat with cool water.
   
   
4. Avoid hauling in a trailer during those extremely hot Summer days. The combination of additional sun rays and reduced air movement around your horse creates a highly uncomfortable environment. If you must haul, we highly recommend to go early in the morning, late in the evening, or even overnight. This allows your horse to benefit from cooler weather and less sun rays.
   
   
5. Similar to the above, if your horse must be worked, choose a time earlier or later in the day – avoiding the middle of the day. This helps account for temperature, humidity, and the sun.
   
   
6. Normal equine feedstuffs (hay, pasture, grain) don’t meet horses’ daily requirements for sodium. Additionally, horses tend to sweat a lot of sodium and chloride during the Summer heat. Hence, horses can become even deficient in essential minerals. For this reason, don't forget to add salt and other electrolytes to the feed – or even to a second bucket of water.

Maybe on those really hot, humid days where there’s no wind, no cloud cover, and the sun is beating down, it’s time for an easy groundwork review, an extra grooming session, or a thorough tack cleaning!

Read more on Summer Care – 9 Essential Summer Care Tips For Your Horse

Summers in Virginia mean uncomfortable amounts of heat and humidity. The average summer temperatures in Northern Virginia reach the upper 80’s.

Regardless of your region, Summer naturally brings hotter temperatures that require proactive planning.

Summer weather can bring a variety of health hazards if you own a horse. These health hazards can include everything from dehydration to pesky bug problems to heatstrokes.

Horses are usually able to cope well with heat and humidity, but extra care in management can go a long way. Here are a few ways you can keep your horse healthy and cool this Summer:

BARN MANAGEMENT:

1. Adjust your turnout schedule.
   Plan your turnout schedule around the cooler times of day during early mornings and late evening. These are the best times for turnout as it allows for minimal sunlight and maximum shade.
   
2. Plan around bugs.
   Mosquitos and flies are nuisances that can further stress horses during the summer season. Don’t let Summer’s bugs stress your horse out even more.
   
   To keep mosquitos from breeding, get rid of any standing, stagnant water in your horse’s stall or water trough. We also recommend that you regularly remove manure from the pasture and barn.
   
3. Airflow inside your barn.
   Midday is often the most comfortable time of day to stable your horses as the sun is at its maximum exposure. Be sure to install fans in your barn aisle and your stalls to maximize ventilation.

HYDRATION:

1. Easy access to water.
   Your horse’s hydration is vital in high temperatures. This is why it is crucial to plan for easy access to water at all times. Keep several water sources available and refill water bucks with fresh, clean water every day.
   
2. Electrolytes.
   If you suspect dehydration, you may be able to help your horse by providing electrolyte supplements. It’s best to check with your vet to understand which specific supplements work best for your horse.
   
   In the meantime, you can be proactive by feeding an electrolyte powder inn your horse’s morning feed. Another option is to dissolve the powder in the water trough – and offering a salt or mineral lick to encourage drinking. Please note that you should immediately call your vet if you ever suspect severe dehydration.
   
3. Cold water.
   Another handy tip is to freeze gallon jugs of water. We then place them in our horse’s water troughs like ice cubes.
   
   The cold water allows for hydration – while simultaneously regulating your horse’s temperature from the inside out.

IF YOU’RE RIDING:

1. Use lightweight tack.
   This simple hack is one of the easiest way to ease the load on your horse’s body. This might mean switching from your heavy western saddle to a lighter weight English saddle or bareback pad.
   
2. Lighter workloads.
   Your horse will appreciate a lighter and shorter ride. If you usually work in a sunny ring, perhaps opt to take a trail ride in the shade instead. Regardless of your regime, be sure to include a proper cool down at the end of your horse.
   
3. Cool down after riding.
   Before you finish with your horse, be sure to give him a cold shower to lower his body temperatures. The most important areas to spray are his neck, chest, and and between his legs.

Across North America, equestrians trust American Stalls for premium horse stall equipment that prioritizes safety, durability, and aesthetics. While lower-cost options exist, our commitment to quality sets us apart—whether it's custom European stalls or portable expo stalls. 

Do you run a small or medium-sized equestrian business (including training facility, breeding facility, polo club, etc)?

Do you operate a large horse show, rodeo, stock show, horse expo, or fairgrounds?

Do you have an upcoming barn remodeling project?

OR are you simply adding new stalls to your existing facilities?

Every stalls project has its share of complexities whether it's for 20 stalls or 2,000 stalls. It is crucial to fully understand the complexities since horse stalls are often a significant capital investment for equestrian facilities.

This combines with the fact that horse stalls are often the first thing your customers will see and use on your facility's premises.

That is why it is crucial to purchase stall equipment that will:

1. Safely house your horses and your clients' horses.
2. Reflect your facility's standards of quality and safety.
3. Last your facility for 15+ years.

Based on more than a decade of experience, here is a guide that walks business owners through crucial questions in planning for horse stalls.

A clean barn is vital to your horse’s well-being, but keeping stalls, feed rooms, and wash bays free from bacteria can be a challenge. While full sterilization isn’t possible, thorough disinfection—especially after illness—can help create a safer environment. Here’s how to maintain a healthier barn for your horses.

Purchasing Process

I don’t live in the state of Virginia. Can I still purchase stall equipment from American Stalls?

We are located just outside Washington D.C., but our customers are all over North America. Our stall equipment serves personal and commercial facilities all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Our expert logistics team can coordinate the best transportation to help your stall equipment reach your barn via the quickest, most efficient method.

What gauge of steel will my stalls be? What does that mean?

The gauge of steel describes the thickness of the wall of steel tubing or sheet steel. A lower gauge signifies a thicker steel. American Stalls uses heavy (low) gauge steel when constructing our products.

For example, our portable horse stalls feature 14-gauge steel while our permanent horse stalls feature 12-gauge steel.

Helpful tip: Lower golf scores = better score. Steel gauges work the same way. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel.

Installation & Handling

How difficult are these stalls or gates to install?

We pride ourselves in building equine equipment that is simple to use.

At the time of delivery, our team provides an installation guide. This document will help you and/or your local builder install your new equipment with ease.

We prep all of our equipment with pre-drilled holes and include connector pins to ensure easy installation. Lastly, American Stalls is always on-hand to answer any installation questions that you or your builder may have.

Shipping & Delivery

How will my order be delivered?

Our logistics team helps our clients once paperwork and payment is complete.

We coordinate delivery using the quickest, most efficient methods using

Transit begins once the stall equipment is picked up by a third-party freight carrier from our facility. The client is then contacted for delivery by the third-party driver.

Please note that all delivery and shipping times are estimated – not guaranteed. American Stalls cannot coordinate exact delivery times and windows. However, the client can coordinate with the third-party freight carrier once contacted by the driver.

Will I need any equipment to unload my equipment during delivery?

We strongly recommend that customers arrange forklifts prior to delivery. We recommend two forklifts with long forks (not fork extensions) – rated with a capacity of at least 6,000 lbs.

We provide additional delivery recommendations to clients once an order is processed.

Can I pick up my order from American Stalls?

Yes, our clients can pick up their American Stalls stall equipment from our facility in Baltimore, Maryland.

Stalls Finish & Care

What is the best way to care for my horse stall finish?
A working horse barn’s environment is subject to several variables – including everyday wear-and-tear, weather conditions, and more.

We often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of barn life, but you can preserve your stalls’ finish in a few easy steps!

Keep an eye on items that hang from your stalls including halters, feed bags, blanket bars, bridle hooks, and more. Over time, the constant wearing can mar or scratch the finish. I’s crucial to address scratches and scrapes as soon as they occur.

Contact American Stalls for assistance in finding touch-up paint to fix those small blemishes before they become bigger issues.

Can I return my American Stalls equine equipment?

American Stalls does not accept returns or offer refunds. However, if a return is accepted, then the return will be subject to a restocking fee. Additionally, the client will be responsible for arranging and payment of return shipping. Any returned stall equipment must be in new condition with original packaging in sellable condition. More information can be found in our Sales Terms and Conditions.

We are the industry leader in portable horse stalls because we routinely challenge industry norms.

The modern equestrian is busier than ever.

We accordingly design our equine equipment to fit the modern equestrian's lifestyle. Our Show Series portable horse stalls sport a synthetic vinyl that replaces traditional tongue and groove lumber. This change allows for a lightweight, yet highly durable horse that is easy to move and disinfect. Our vinyl comes is available in more than a dozen colors – allowing you to add personality to your barn. Our commitment to bold design makes for a simple, safe, and stunning horse stall.

Our equine equipment is designed by horse people, for horse people. That means we design our equipment with a focus on seamless maintenance and day-to-day use.

Each horse stall includes four (4) horse stall panels and minimal installation hardware. Our simple design allows for an easy installation and disassembly. Our simple installation design gives you the flexibility to move your Show Series portable horse stalls as you see fit.

Our Stall Gates feature a smooth gentle roll yoke and double frame bar. This simple designs pairs aesthetics with functionality. The stall gates' design allows for quick installation, increased socialization, and reduced bowing.

Your horse's safety is our utmost priority.

We design our equine equipment with our own horses in mind.

Our Stall Gates and Elite Show Series feature a gentle roll yoke door that allows your horse peek their head out. This allows your horse to feel part of day-to-day barn shenanigans. We purposely chose vinyl as our Show Series stalls' filler material. Our vinyl discourages kicking, eliminates splinters, and decreases potential injuries. This material is also easily wiped down, washed, and disinfected.

Our mission is to make your horse feel at home when they are in an American Stalls horse stall. Our equipment is built to give you peace of mind.

Horse stalls have been around as long as we can remember. There is everything from the simple backyard pleasure stall to the fancy show barn that features European stall fronts. Despite the design, at its core, the horse stall is the basic functional unit of any horse barn or shelter. That's why it's so crucial to understand everything that goes into building the right horse stall.

Below is the order of elements that go into designing a horse stall (descending in importance)

1. Safety for horses and handlers
2. Comfort for the horse
3. Convenience for the handler in performing chores associated with great horse care.
4. The horse stalls' aesthetics

The basics of a safe, functional horse stall are the same regardless of your management style and needs. In this post, we will provide an overview of some basic horse stall features for the typical 1,000-pound horse. The dimensions can be adjusted accordingly for larger breeds.

The Horse Stall | General Basics

Your horse's size and the amount of the time the horse spends in the horse stall help determine the stall’s size.

Larger horses require more square footage than smaller breeds such as ponies and miniature horses. This larger space is necessary to allow your horse to turn around, lie down, and get up comfortable.

A 12’x’12’ horse stal is the standard recommendation for most horses. However, many facilities are successful with portable horse stalls that are slighter smaller at a 10’x10’ size.

A larger horse stall size is justified if the horse spends significant time in the stall or is more active. American Stalls designs stalls of sizes, but the most common sizes include 10’x10’ and 12’x’12’ for portable horse stalls.

We recommend that barn owners be mindful because more space tends to correlate with higher expenses. More space requires more maintenance, more bedding, and a larger surface area to clean.

Hence, larger horse stalls can add significantly to the cost of building a barn by: 

1. Adding to the overall length and/or width of a barn.
2. Increasing the span of the framing lumber.
3. Requiring roof framing to be increased from 2x10’s to 2x12’s – or even greater.

The two components that go into a stall are the front horse stall panels and horse stall side panels.

SIDE PANELS & BACK PANELS | PORTABLE HORSE STALLS

Horse stall partitions between stalls must be at least 7’ high to prevent horses from getting their legs over the wall. Aside from the dimensions, one has many options in regards to the partitions’ designs.

These include:

• Half Filler (Vinyl, HDPE, tongue and groove lumber) and half bars/or mesh.
  • Barred or mesh portions on top are great for added ventilation. This allows horses to see their companions while giving the owner visibility of their horses.
    • However, this option’s downside is that the increased ventilation between stalls can increase the risk of airborne bacterial infections between horses.
• That is why so many horse shows and large expo centers choose solid partitions from top to bottom.

FRONT DOOR PANELS | PORTABLE HORSE STALLS

Horse stall fronts will match the stall partitions’ height, but the length can vary according to your barn’s length. We design our horse stall front panels to include doors with a seven feet height opening and 48" width. These are the dimensions of the actual open area that the horse can pass through. These doorway openings are essential for overall horse and handler safety. Stay tuned for series 2.0 which will go more in-depth regarding stall front doors.

Aside from dimensions, most horse stall fronts feature a steel bars on the top half of the stall panel. Both options allow an owner to look down the aisle or into the stall as they walk down the aisle.

There's much more details one needs to account for when designing horse stalls. Stay tuned for next week's continued discussion!

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team if you have any particular questions. We are always here to help our fellow equestrians!

Ponies.

Warmbloods.

Thoroughbreds.

Shetlands.

Miniatures.

The list goes on.

Many of our customers don’t have just one breed or type of horse, whether they’re individual owners or commercial training businesses. Because of this, our customers usually ask, “What is the best size horse stall for our particular situation?”

In the world of Horse Stalls, there is truly no “one-size fits all” option. A stall’s size depends on your horse's size, temperament, and individual tendencies.

Whether building a new barn or adding more stalls, it is crucial that barn owners prioritize figuring out the size of stalls to ensure a safe, comfortable home for their horses.

Here are some things to consider during your next horse stall project:

1. A horse should be able to comfortably enter the stall, move, turn around, and lie down in his/her stall.
2. An average-sized horse (about 14-16 hands) can fit comfortably in a 12’ x 12’ stall. That being said, one can consider a smaller stall, such as 10’x12′, depending on personal preferences and stall usage.
3. Ponies of Welsh or Shetland breeds typically do well in a 10’ x 10’ stall.
4. Warmblood, thoroughbred, and draft breeds (breeds that are usually 16 to 18 hands tall) need 12’ x 12’ and larger stalls
5. Mares approaching their foaling date or mares with foals are best housed in an extra large stall—a 20’ x 20’ stall at a minimum. You could look here.

Have an upcoming stalls project? 

Our design team is here to share our ten years of experience working with everyone from individual barn owners to horse shows carrying 1,000 stalls. We’re always here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation on your upcoming stall project!