From: Beth
Hi Jessica,
I love reading your newsletters, they are so informative and really get me thinking about better ways to work with my horse.
My husband & I recently purchased a home with a 3 stall barn. It needs improving, and I think we will have our work cut out for us. I have ordered a couple of books on remodeling barns, but here is one question I have not found an answer for.
The current stall flooring is deep sand...just the basic dirt (nearly all sand) that we have in this part of Florida. There is no bottom board around the entire stall, so the previous horses dragged it out every time they left their stalls. We are left with a deep pit of loose sand. As it is, a horse would sink to his fetlocks in this stuff. We plan to add that bottom board, but I assume that some other base should go on top of this sand, then topped off with a stall mat. ...So, do we add dirt? Fine gravel? More sand? Of course we want drainage and safe, comfortable footing for our horses (or maybe minis ;) Also, the stalls measure 9' x 12'. My horse is 15.2 or so, about 900 lbs. Do you think the size is sufficient? We may add a 9' x 16' run out side each stall. They will have turn out for a good part of the day, or night, depending on the season.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Beth
I think that for the sake of drainage and secure footing, your best bet would be to remove the sand and replace it with a foot or so of gravel. If drainage is likely to be a problem, go a couple of feet deep and fill the first foot with larger gravel, then the top 6-12" with something that will also drain well but can be compacted and provide a flat surface, like 3/4 minus or roadpack.
Rubber mats are great, but most stalls are 12x12 or 10x12 and consequently most mats are 4x6, so you'll probably have to do some tweaking and cutting. Chalk lines and heavy-duty utility knives will let you customize some of your mats to make everything fit.
An alternative possibility, in case you're thinking of adding on to the barn, would be to add some 12x12 stalls and make the current stalls into your feed room, tack room, and grooming area. That would let you start the stalls from scratch, get advice from local barn owners and contractors, and put in the best possible materials to provide a good base, good drainage, and good footing for your stalls.
For horses the size of yours, a 9x12 stall should serve - after all, he won't be spending much time in there. I like your idea of adding runs to the stalls so that the horses can have more space, more fresh air, and sun. You could also add those runs to the new, larger stalls if you decide to add on to the barn.
Before you remodel, buy a copy of HORSE HOUSING by Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh, and read it thoroughly. You'll learn all sorts of useful and time- and money-saving things that you never even thought you needed to know. ;-)
Jessica
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