Ashley Griffin, University of Kentuckyu
Packed or puddled rock-free clay on a well-drained base makes one of the best floors for stables. It is usually easy to obtain. However, it is difficult to keep clean, and more flooring has to be added from time to time. Wood plank stall floors are preferred by some horse owners, but they are hard to keep dry and free from odor. Concrete floors are the least desirable, and if used, a considerable …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
The feed room is seldom larger than a box stall. Organize it for convenience and easy housekeeping. Plan storage for feed materials, equipment, and tools. Provide an uncluttered traffic pattern to reach the stored materials without interference. Keep the storage area as dust-free as possible.
Hay may be stored in an overhead loft or on the ground floor. Small rooms and narrow doors are inconvenient for storing hay and add to the labor required …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
For riding horses, the minimum box stall is 10′ x 10′. More commonly, box stalls are 12′ x 12′, although stalls 16′ x 16′ or larger are not uncommon. If the barn layout permits, a stall 16′ x 20′ or larger is useful for foaling mares. Box stalls for ponies may be smaller, depending on the breed. A larger stall can be obtained by removing the common partition between adjoining box stalls.
Equip box …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
The construction of your facility should be conducive to the safety and welfare of your clientele, employees, and animals. Several things need to be protected from horses, water, dust, and rodents in every barn. Some of these include foam insulation, stall latches, water or coil heaters, and electrical wiring. In addition, if your barn is a metal building, it is important that stalls be lined with wood or another protective covering to …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
A small, adjustable 2′ x 2′ window in each box stall will provide light and assist in ventilation. However, windows are not essential if other methods are used for lighting and ventilating the barn. Install windows near the top of the wall. Allow at least six windows between the windowsill and the stall floor. Protect all windows that can be reached by horses with heavy 1″ x 2″ welded wire or steel grating. Attach …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
A well-organized and maintained tack room that is enclosed, dry, and free of dust is important to good stable management. The tack room has traditionally been the headquarters for essential equipment and activities associated with managing horses. It can be simply a small area or room for riding equipment, or it can be large enough to serve as an office, a service shop for cleaning and maintaining tack, and/or a meeting place …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
Although horses may be groomed and tacked up in stalls, it is better to have a designated area for these tasks. Horses may be tacked up in the barn aisle, but this practice may also present some hazards.
The ideal situation is to have a designated tack-up area located near the tack room. This practice would allow others to observe and assist in preventing potential problems, such as the horse pinning a …
Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky
Good illumination is important for the convenience and safety of both the horse and attendant. Provide adequate lighting for:
For stall lighting, place one 100-watt bulb near the center of each stall if height permits (9 feet or higher); locate switches near the stalls. Foaling stalls need about 300 watts of light.
Recess …
Why is good pasture important to horses? Well, because horses should consume at least 1-2% of their body weight each day in forage (hay or pasture). A 1000 lb horse will need from 1 – 3 acres to provide enough pasture to meet its total nutrient requirements.
Objectives of this lesson include:
Learn more about safe fencing strategies for your horse facility.
Safe, sturdy fencing is an important component of horse facility management. Factors such as the purpose of the fence, pasture use, horse groups, and aesthetics should be strongly considered when planning a horse facility. Fences can be built using a variety of materials, ranging from traditional wood plank fencing, to more modern PVC and Polyethylene rails. In this presentation, Dr. Chris Skelly will identify the key elements of horse …
