How to Build Barn Stalls

Barn stalls are a necessity for the serious horse owner. For people with show horses, older or younger horses, or who just want to pamper their horse, building a barn with proper stalls is a must. Knowing how to build stalls is part of the basic construction of any barn. This article will give you some tips on how to go about building a healthy stall for your horse barn.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lumber Posts Nails Screws Power tools Doors

1. Measure your stall. Horse stalls should be a minimum of 10' x 10'. More comfortably they should be 12' x 12'. For real comfort for a horse, 16' x 16' is ideal.

2. Sink your posts. At each corner, the post should be set in concrete to a depth of at least 18" to 24". Posts must be 4" x 4" at least, and made of treated lumber.

3. Measure your lumber and fill in your walls. Lumber should be at least 2" x 4", and preferably 2" x 6". Treated wood is a must, and recycled cement framing lumber is ideal, as the cement will have set into the wood and created an extra-hard material that will resist kicks and rot. Walls need to be at least 4' high, preferably 6'.

4. Hang your door, which must be at least 4' wide and 7' high. It can be made of wood, iron,or any other solid or metal mesh material. It is important that it be hung securely and attached with a "horse-proof" latch. Mesh doors are excellent for ventilation and visual interest for the stalled horse.

5. Attach your feeder and water source for your stalled horse. This can be as simple as hanging up some buckets or as elaborate as creating sliding doors for swing-out feeders.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the time to do the job right. Better to do a little more work at the beginning than to end up having to repair a poor job.
• Always use caution when using power tools. Use safety goggles, gloves and other equipment.