From general barn layouts, to removable stall walls, hay storage, to horse stall mats,horse stall details seem to be endless. But for this post let’s take a look at horse feeders and automatic water systems.
Horse feeders for use in the horse stalls can range from just a simple bucket hung from a screw eye, to a corner feeder, and also a swing out feeder. Each of course has it advantages. For a small barn, just hanging a bucket is a simple solution. The draw back comes when you are accommodating an animal that thinks it is actually a toy. My one youngest broke his way through eight feed buckets. He literally destroyed them. The other two horses never bothered them, but Sundance thought they were just for him. I remember laying in bed one very cold night. Out of pity for the four horses (who quite frankly served more as lawn mowers and yard ornaments at that time in my life) I had left the group tucked safely into their stalls and went off to bed. Sure enough, 1:00 AM I hear the symphony start. Bang, BANG, BANGG!!! the bucket went. It echoed across the frozen ground and right through my window pain. Sure enough, the bucket was not longer part of the part equipment by morning.
So the next stage we tried a corner feeder. That worked the best. Mounted on 2×4′s screwed to the wall, he had a much harder time doing that one in. He eventually cracked the bottom, so a feed pan on the floor was that horses fate.
Swing out feeders are also nice. More expensive and needing extensive installation, they do give a place for the hay and the grain. Putting hay into them usually rains more down on the barn help that into the feeder, but the horses do seem to like them.
Another option for the hay is a built in corner feeder that sits on the ground. These are nice, but careful attention must be paid that old hay is not left to rot in the bottom. Heaves and wore can develop if this is not regularly cleaned.
Automatic waterers are the dream of everyone who lives where it is cold. Winter months are made much longer when frozen buckets must be dragged to the house and lined up in the basement to thaw. Waterers can be positioned so that one waters two stalls. Most horses drink readily from them, but if a new horse arrives be sure to monitor his water in take. Hanging a bucket in the stall for a few days until you see him drink a few times from the automatic one is a good idea. Colic and dehydration can set in before you realize it. One old mare I had did not want anything to do with the automatic water. It scared her when it would turn on. So be a student of your horse and know if a bucket it the only choice.
Under swing out feeders there can actually be room for a small tack closet. Triangle in shape, the area can accommodate a saddle and some bridle hooks. This is a great option for a commercial stable that needs more tack room. Easy to lock and simple for people to keep their tack straight, customers tend to really like them.
Whatever your choice, automatic heated water and horse feeder do make life a lot easier when caring for our horse their horse stalls.
The best means for hay storage is to add a shed row to your barn or construct one free standing away from the barn. Fire hazard of course is limited to an extent when the majority of the hay is stored away from the main structure. But on the other hand, lugging all the hay back the horse stalls to be fed is not much fun. Four wheelers and tractors can be very helpful in this situation.
Another advantage for a wide aisle, is it gives a safe place for young children to ride before moving outside. With no grass and no hope of escape, a feisty pony can be much easier to handle inside than in the outdoor arena. Many professionals also use a wide aisle for beginning stages of riding for a young horse. A green horse should already be accustomed to the inside of the barn and give them a feeling of security, so riding them inside can make the transition easier.