Horse Stall Latches

Horse Stalls Guide- a look at latches

Horse stall latches are as varied as the animals they contain. A simple latch can include a slide bolt, chain with a snap, gravity close, no latches, a horse shoe clip, or a simple slide peg or pen.

Latches are very important as of course our horse treasures could escape and get hurt. A simple slide bolt is very common. The draw backs to it is that the bolts many time become hard to operate. With a vast majority of women working around barns, the latches need to be such that they can operate them. If a door begins to drag some, the bolt will not slide as it should. If using them, careful attention has to be paid that the bolts stay in working order.

Some barns simply mount a round ring on the horse stalls, put a snap on the end of a short chain, and that is the latch. An economical solution, it also does not stop working even if the door drags. The main down fall is if the snap itself breaks. When bolted to the end of the chain, replacement of it might not be the simplest.

A gravity close system is the newest idea. It is very clever and does keep the horse from escaping since it latches as soon as the door is closed. The down fall is if a small child goes into the stall and closes the door. They can become trapped because they cannot reach the gravity latch. Another draw back is that if someone leads a horse into the stall, the door closes, and the horse panics, the handler cannot just yank on the door and have it open. They would have to make it to the gravity latch to let themselves out.

A slide pin is a good option. The slide pin is simple, but can be the easiest for the horses to open with their mouths. If you have an escape artist, be sure their is no way for them to wrap their lips around the slide pin.

Horse are a dream, desire, and passion of people all over the world. Custom designing a horse barn and horse stalls to match your passion is fun, enjoyable, and also a journey. We will never totally out think the horse. Over time we learn from them and develop better and improved designs for all of our man made horse equipment.

Horse Stalls Guide

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Michael, August 13th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in horse barn layouts, horse stall design, horse stalls

Horse Stall Mats

Horse stall guides- looking to MATS-

Horse stall mats are another angle to making our horses comfortable. We all know standing on concrete is very hard on the body. The same is true for our equine friends. Even when a horse stall is lined with dirt or clay, the mats reduce the amount of shavings or bedding required.

There are three main types of horse stall mats: flat edged, interlocking, and pass through.

The pass through design is perfect for wash racks. The hole format provide traction as well as water flow away from the horses feet. In areas with water, the pass through mats allow for the water to escape and flow down the drain. Another good use for this style of mat is when a horse in injured. Some injuries are very susceptible to sawdust and shaving invasion. In this case the mat keeps the horse off of the ground while still giving some support.

Interlocking mats move less than their flat edged cousins. Constructed like a large puzzle, they stay put, provide a tighter fit, and also keep more moisture from penetrating down below the mat. On a cement surface, this can be a big advantage. Urine that is trapped under the mats can really make for a bad odor and a mess to clean.

Flat edged mats typically have ribbing or grooves on the back. This helps to keep the mat in place. Over time the mat will shift some. It is not a good idea to just lay a single mat in the middle of the stall. It is much better to cut mats to fit the entire area.

Some horse stalls may not need matting. One must carefully look at the ground surface. If rocks are everywhere, then a mat may still be necessary. Sometimes it is possible to simply top dress the stall area with topsoil. But more bedding is required if no horse stall mats are used.

Horse Stalls Guide

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Michael, August 12th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in horse barn layouts, horse stall design, horse stalls

Horse stalls, horse feeders and automatic water

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.

Horse Stalls Guide

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Michael, August 11th 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in horse barn layouts, horse stall design, horse stalls
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