Custom Horse Stall Design: The Top 3 Things to Consider

Sep 16, 2022

Keeping your horses safe, healthy, and comfortable is the ultimate goal of designing their living space. Custom horse stalls are an ideal way to give them exactly what they need, but where do you start? There are so many decisions to make — about stall size, lighting, materials, and so on — what if you make the wrong one? What if you forget something?

Don’t fret. Here are the top three elements that impact the health and happiness of your horses when it comes to their stalls.

1. Stall Size

The standard dimensions for horse stalls are 12’ x 12’. This allows enough room for a horse to turn and move comfortably without hitting walls, dividers, or the stall door. Larger breeds may require more space, but don’t even consider going smaller than 10’ x 10’ with your stall area, no matter the size of your horses.

These minimum dimensions are also important for determining how many stalls will fit comfortably in your horse barn or equestrian facility. For instance, the main aisle through the stall space should be at least 14’ wide. If your existing horse barn is 26’ wide, you will have room for one row of stalls on one side of your barn.

2. Airflow & Lighting

Although these are two different things, the same horse stall components aid them both.

  • Windows to the outside are an ideal source of natural light and airflow. A window yoke with exterior shutters or a Dutch door leading to the barnyard exposes horses to fresh air and sunshine.
  • Horse stall fronts and dividers that include steel bars let air and light travel in between stalls and throughout the horse barn. Metal also has the added benefit of being able to withstand more wear and tear.
  • Higher ceilings allow greater air circulation (and also reduce the risk of your horse hitting its head).

3. Privacy & Noise Reduction

Horses are herd animals by nature, so they do like some socialization. That said, there are times when they want quiet and calm, especially at mealtime and when it’s time to sleep. Take this into consideration when designing stall dividers for your horse barn.

Metal grill dividers allow horses to see one another, while solid dividers create a calm, private space. A good compromise is to design a stall divider that is solid on the bottom half (using wood or concrete) with a metal grill on top. When socialization is not desired, a drop-in divider can be used.

Choose an Experienced Custom Horse Stall Manufacturer

There are so many decisions to make when planning custom horse stalls, it can seem overwhelming. But addressing just the three items above will go a long way in keeping your horses healthy and happy.

Blackwood Equestrian Stalls can help. We’ve completed projects of all sizes and styles for horses with all types of needs. We’ll work with you closely every step of the way to make sure your new stalls are just what you’re looking for. To get started on your custom horse stall project, contact us!

PS: If you found this post useful, check out “Custom Horse Stalls Make a Barn a Home” and “5 Tips for Selecting Stall Fronts and Doors.”