Ideas for Nice Horse Stalls

Ideas for Nice Horse Stalls. A nice horse stall should include amenities that provide for the horses' comfort and safety, as well as the handler's convenience. Decorations to set the stall apart can also be installed, as long as safety is taken into consideration. Look for stall ideas at tack and barn supply stores -- items from decorations to fixtures can make your horses' stall time more enjoyable.

Stall Design

If you have the option of designing the stall from the beginning, install convenience and safety during the construction process. The first consideration is size: A basic stall should be 12 feet by 12 feet, although a larger stall, say 14-by-14, is considerably nicer, according to the Five Star Ranch's "Horse Barn Design Layout and Planning" article. For the horses' comfort, be sure to include an outside window and a door that allows the horse to look down the barn aisle. Installing a second door leading directly outside the barn is another nice feature, as it is convenient for the handler and provides extra ventilation.

Amenities for the Horse

Nice horse stalls should include amenities for the horses' comfort and safety, including removable rubber mats between the bedding and floor and an automatic water bowl that mounts easily in the corner. Another feature to consider is a bug control system that uses plant-based insecticides. Tack and stall design sites, such as Equine Systems and others, carry portable bug control units and a variety of automatic water bowls.

Decorating

Decorating ideas for horse stalls can include anything from pictures to horse-related memorabilia. Hanging show ribbons around the outside of the stall shows off your horse and your riding skill. Artwork ideas for outside the stall can include anything from Old West scenery to Grand Prix dressage, as well as pictures of you and your horse or a brass stall plate with your horse's name engraved. Frames that extend outward from the picture may get chewed, so install pictures directly to the wall, minus the frame, using nails, a staple gun or strong glue. Stall-decorating competitions at county fairs are good idea sources, and many are designed with themes like rodeos, carnivals and BBQs.

Cleanliness and Safety

Safety First is the watchword of stall decoration. Horses like to chew on things, especially wood, so cover all wooden edges, such as rails and ledges, with metal trim. Also, always have handy horse and human first aid kits.

References

• Five Star Ranch: Horse Barn Layout and Design
• Pennsylvania State University: Horse Stall Design
• State Line Tack: Medications & First Aid
• Colusa County Pet Sitting: Horse Show Stall Decorating