Are Horse Stalls Good For Horses?

A stall needs adequate ventilation, flooring, lighting, a hayrack and tie rings with eye hooks to hold water and feed buckets. The stalls need windows that open for each stall, and there should be eave and ridge vents for fresh air circulation.

Horses that are ill or injured may need to be stalled for weeks at a time with no turnout. But even healthy horses benefit from balancing stall time with turnout and exercise.

The Importance of Proper Drainage in Horse Stall Flooring

Drainage plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and clean Horses Stall environment. This article emphasizes the significance of proper drainage when selecting flooring materials. Discover different drainage systems and how they contribute to the overall well-being of your horse.

Keeping Horses Safe

Stalls need to be a safe environment for horses. That means keeping the aisle clear of tack trunks, chairs, wheelbarrows, and other objects horse stall door that could block free passage or spook a horse. Blanket racks and other stall-front fixtures should be smooth with no sharp edges and fastened securely to the wall to avoid catching on equipment or injuring a horse.

Buckets for food, water and manure should be hung so that the rims are at nose height to reduce the risk of dropping grain or water onto a horse or other animals. Fixtures that hang halters and lead ropes should be smooth with no protruding corners and fastened securely to the walls to prevent them from falling over.

The best stall floors are well-draining, soft on a horse’s feet and deflect odors. Popcorn asphalt, clay, crushed stone and concrete are common choices for stall floors, but some aren’t suitable in all climates, and aggregate gravel can be slippery without mats. Mats made of rubber and other materials specifically designed for equestrian use are ideal for a stable floor and provide the necessary traction.

Light is vital for proper observation and care of a stalled horse, and windows are important for natural lighting. Electric lighting is also useful, but must be positioned to decrease shadows and be out of reach of a horse (generally more than 8 feet high). Make sure electrical wiring is housed in metal conduit or plastic tubing to protect against rodent chewing that can create a fire hazard.

Keeping Horses Healthy

Horses need to move their bodies. Movement keeps muscles strong and joints healthy. It also helps their hearts to contract and pump blood throughout their bodies. A horse that stays in a stall all day will lose muscle mass, become stiff and develop joint problems, particularly for senior horses.

A horse kept in a stall for weeks or months at a show venue with no opportunity to turn out will likely be unhealthy and unhappy. Even at home, a horse confined to a stall all day may develop behavioral issues like wood chewing and constant pacing, becoming difficult to handle and possibly damaging itself in the process.

When constructing a stall, consider the footing. Dirt, uncovered cement or asphalt is hard on horses’ feet and can lead to injury or illness. Stall mats made specifically for horses are a good investment that help keep the feet healthy and safe.

Make sure stalls are well-ventilated and designed with high walls to reduce the risk of kicks. Ideally, the stalls should be paired together to increase ventilation and allow interaction between horses. Pairing stalls is also better for cleaning and manure removal. If you are constructing a barn in which the stalls will be separate, choose partition material that is safe and sturdy enough to stand up to angry kicks.

Keeping Horses Comfortable

Horses accustomed to living in open pastures or on a regular daily exercise regimen can quickly become stressed while confined in a stall. They may exhibit behavioral issues like cribbing, kicking and chewing or even become sick from the stress. Providing them with a runout option to allow them a chance to stroll around in a small paddock or barn area can help.

Ensure that your horse’s stall is clean and comfortable. Check for holes, loose boards and any other areas that can be a safety hazard. Holes can be used by rodents to gain entry into the stall; loose boards may fall or become tangled in a horses’ legs, tail or head; and feed pans should have lids that close securely and are well-maintained.

Lighting is also important. A lighted stall allows for easier cleaning and observation of the horse. Make sure to have enough light to prevent shadows in the stall and use electric fixtures designed for barns (100W) or with a protective covering, such as metal conduit, to prevent rats from chewing them.

Door height is also important. Full-height doors allow for socialization, while half-height doors discourage the behavior of weaving or cribbing. If you have a horse with a fear of cribbing or weaving, consider a swinging or sliding door instead. Our Designer Swing Collection (Freedom, Westana, Finish-Line) or Designer Slide collection (Wellington, Venetian, Maverick) offer these types of doors.

Keeping Horses Happy

Horses are herd animals and can become restless and bored if they’re confined for long periods of time in an individual indoor stall. They may exhibit behavior such as wood chewing, stall walking (in which they walk around the perimeter of their stall), and crib biting (which is actually an attempt to relieve boredom).

To help alleviate this stress and keep horses happy while they’re stalled, you can try to allow them out of their stalls to nibble on grass or for short walks with a lead line, but only under a veterinarian’s supervision. You can also try hanging toys from the barn ceiling, such as stuffed animal toys for horses to nuzzle and play with or stacking baby rings that horses can push back and forth — both are great ways to keep horses preoccupied while on stall rest.

Finally, make sure that the stall floor is made of a material that’s comfortable to stand on and that it’s deeply bedded with at least 10-12 inches of hay or shavings. Stalls should also be cleaned several times a day to prevent the buildup of manure, urine or ammonia fumes that can affect a horse’s respiratory health.

Ideally, the best way to keep a horse happy is to give them full-time turnout in a large pasture with plenty of hay feeders and a communal barn or run-in shed for respite from weather and insects. However, if that’s not possible, research suggests that even small changes in stall confinement can be beneficial to horses.