| The design of your horse barn is important, not | | | | you have determined a good width for your barn |
| only to the well-being of your horse, but the | | | | aisle it is time to consider horse stall sizes. |
| owners as well. Well-designed horse barns can | | | | When stalled, a horse should be able to |
| save you time, money and frustration, so careful | | | | comfortably move, turn around and lie down. For |
| planning is a must before you dive into designing. | | | | the average sized horse (14-15 hands) a 12-foot |
| Both function and comfort must be taken into | | | | x 12-foot stall would accomplish this. Smaller sizes, |
| account when in the early planning stages as well | | | | such as a 10 x 10 may also be considered. If your |
| as space and size in high traffic areas. | | | | horse is smaller than average, you should adjust |
| Two areas of your barn with frequent human and | | | | your stall size accordingly. Ponies for example, |
| equine activity are aisle and stalls. Therefore, it is | | | | typically will do well in a 10-foot x 10-foot stall. On |
| very important to consider the size of these | | | | the other hand, a warmblood, thoroughbred or |
| well-used areas when planning your barn. | | | | draft breed would fair better in a stall greater in |
| An often overlooked part of horse barn design is | | | | size than the average 12 x 12. Mares approaching |
| the aisle. Many horse owners tend to plan their | | | | their foaling date, or mares with foals, are best |
| stalls and tack rooms first, leaving their aisle size | | | | housed in an extra large stall. Typically, a good rule |
| decided for them. In actuality, barn aisle size | | | | of thumb is to double the size of your regular stall |
| should be one of your first considerations when | | | | when planning for a foaling stall and stall size |
| setting up your barn. Being a high traffic area, | | | | should always be considered before other rooms |
| your barn aisle should be roomy and comfortable | | | | such as feed and tack areas. |
| for both horse and human. Horses should be able | | | | When designing a horse barn, you must take into |
| to be comfortably moved, maneuvered and | | | | account both horse and human comfort and |
| turned around in a proper sized barn aisle. | | | | functionality. Careful consideration of these factors |
| When deciding the width of your barn aisle you | | | | will prevent future headaches and frustration |
| must take your door width into consideration. | | | | when your barn is built. Although feed rooms and |
| Ideally, a good-sized barn aisle will match the width | | | | tack rooms are important and fun to design, |
| of your barn door. This width may vary | | | | remember it is the highly used aisles and |
| depending upon individual situations but a minimum | | | | frequently occupied stalls that should take |
| 12-foot width is recommended. This gives horses | | | | precedence over other areas of your barn. |
| ample room to turn and be walked past each | | | | Planning these areas first and making them a |
| other. Additionally, horse owners have plenty of | | | | priority will ensure safe, comfortable and |
| room to negotiate past horses that may be tied | | | | enjoyable time spent by both horse and human. |
| in barn aisles for grooming or other reasons. Once | | | | |