I have been riding for 5 years and am interested in building both a standing stall and a box stall for a prospect quarter horse mare (the first horse I will personally own out of boarding stables, aiming for the age of about 10). I will build the stalls whether or not I actually get the horse because I could have other uses for them in the times between owning horses (place for my border collies to sleep/storage).
So long time horse owners, in your opinion-What is the best dimensions for both a box stall and a standing stall for a medium-large quarter horse? The horse would likely use the box stall at night and the standing stall during the day.
-Thanks
PS: Should I use stall mats, or would it be a waste?
The smallest I like my stalls to be are 12x12 but I prefer 12x14. And a good rule of thumb is not to build a stall for the horse you have (or will have) now but to be a nice size for ANY horse you may have in the future.
I'm not sure what you mean by standing stall. If you mean a 3 sided run-in shed, then that should probably be a little bigger (again, you may eventually have another horse or companion for your horse) and I would probably go w/10x24.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com If by standing stall you mean a little shoot that only lets your horse stand then you don't need one of those. Anything you need to do w/your horse in a standing stall can be done either by tying the horse up in the aisle way of your barn or by tying her in the box stall. She should be outside in a field as much as possible-24/7 if possible-NOT standing in a tiny little shoot that prevents her from moving. Horses are happier and healthier when they have as much pasture time as possible.
As for stall mats, yes definitely use them. If you have dirt floors, eventually you will end up w/a hole in the stall where the horse urinates and you'll have to constantly refill the hole. Some horses pace horribly when in a stall and that too will wear holes into the dirt floor. And if you have concrete floors, the concrete is much to hard on a horses legs to stand on, so the mats will cushion it.
The SPCA recommends at least 100 square feet per horse. That's 10x10. I think 10x12 or 12x12 is the right size. That's big enough for them to move around in easily, but not so big they're unworkable for cleaning and so on. Bigger stalls are useful for foaling stalls or for draft horses, but aren't great for a single regular sized horse.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com There is no right size for a standing stall. Don't build one.
Stall mats are a tremendous help. They're easier to clean. They're easier on the horse's joints. And they keep the horse warmer - they don't get near as cold as the ground or concrete does.
You may got a lot of different answers on this one since people like different sizes. One big rule of thumb is the horse has to have the room to turn around in his stall. My stalls are 10 x 12 and I have smaller stalls for ponies that still fit my big QH. He can turn and lay down. It's 8 x12.
I'm assuming that your standing stall means an out door shelter. All shelters need 3 sides to protect from wind and rain. I like 3 and 1/2 sides since it limits rain and wind coming in when the direction of a storm changes. I like a bigger outside shelter since during good weather they can stay out all night. Remember a horse needs to move a lot. It's natures way. Those car ports you see around work great as a shelter. Why anyone stalls during good weather just drives me nuts. I do believe in handling them daily by bringing them in for feeding (grain) but during good weather they go right back out. If you do not live in a coastal area (sand colic) please do not use a hay bin. I know this sounds messy but it goes back to the fact horses are meant to move and eat. To place their food in one spot stops this. We spread out a bale twice a day for 3 horses and a pony and there always is some around to them to pick on as they move around. No matter what you do now you will wish later you did something different. If your base is dirt than you can play it by ear concerning the mats. I personnally after 25 years of stall digging am going out to buy mats for the winter. I swear that pee is on it's way to China: 0).
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com If you decide mats are the way do it now and not later. It's easier to fit the stall properly with mats if they are put down while you are building the stalls. If you wait than you will land up having to cut the mats to fit and they are pretty thick. On a last note when building the stall remember to make sure you do not have any overhang (lip) on the bottom. Casting can be a problem with some horses and anything they can get there hoofs under increases this chance . Casting can be awful.
Good luck and you will never regret (unless it's really cold:)) that you now have your horse with you.
K
i would go 20 feet by 24 feet nd use mats
