By Karen Knapstein
When building or installing horse stalls, post-frame builders must prioritize safety, functionality, and durability. Horses are intelligent but can also be unpredictably skittish. Whether your customers’ horses are valued at a few thousand dollars or much more, owners want to provide them with a safe and comfortable shelter. Here are some key considerations for horse stall hardware when working with equine investors, professionals, and enthusiasts.
Safety Is The Top Priority
Safety should be the foremost consideration when selecting materials and components. Using walls made of (or lined with) wood can prevent injuries, as horses can kick through metal panels and injure themselves or others. Wood also contributes to a quieter environment and allows for easier attachment of accessories like feeders and waterers.
Metal components should be free of exposed sharp edges and protrusions to protect both the animals and the handlers. (It’s often said that if a horse has an opportunity to injure itself, it will.) Features that might be chosen for aesthetic reasons can also enhance safety. For example, Dutch doors on an exterior wall not only look great but also provide horses with fresh air and a view, which helps maintain their overall health.
Ventilation
Horses generate significant heat and moisture, making proper ventilation critical. Adequate airflow is essential for the health of horses. A roof ventilation system maintains high air quality, and stall doors and windows should be designed to promote airflow throughout the stalls. Designs that incorporate open spaces at the top of doors and walls or use mesh and bars can improve ventilation. Allowing horses to see each other also contributes to their well-being.
Durability
Hardware must be made from sturdy materials like galvanized steel, which can withstand daily use and exposure to horses. Stalls are a harsh environment in part due to humidity and animal waste, so the durability of materials and fasteners is crucial. Lightweight aluminum, for instance, is not durable enough for horse stalls. Hinges, latches, and fasteners should be robust and resistant to breaking or bending.
Hardware such as MWI’s
Vault LatchTM that horses can’t
operate is important for safety.
Photo by MWI Components
for happy horses and owners
Photo by StallWorks LLC
Appropriate hardware helps
with a safe , healthy environment.
Photo courtesy of Walters Buildings
Each of the stalls in Indiana’s Watcher’s Run Stables is situated on an exterior wall and has a window because the owner wanted every horse to be able to hang its head out to get fresh air. Photo courtesy of Watcher’s Run Stables. As seen in Frame Building News Buildings of Distinction 2024, contributed by Tri State Perma-Column.
Since some horses like to nibble on wood, consider topping walls made of softwoods with a metal cap or using hardwoods. Metal and wood components should have finishes that can withstand an animal confinement environment. Powder coating is effective in protecting metal from corrosion.
Ease of Use
Hardware should be easy for humans to use but secure enough to prevent horses from operating it. This includes secure latches, hinges that operate smoothly, and handler-accessible feeders and waterers. For example, MWI Components designed the Vault Latch™ so that it is easy for humans to use but impossible for horses to open. It is concealed at the top of the stall, and the door opens when the first grill bar is pulled down, unhinging the latch.
When discussing design and hardware selection, consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance. Hinged and/or removable feeders and waterers will make chores easier.
Customization & Aesthetics
For some horse facilities, customization and aesthetics are important. While functionality and safety are top priorities, aesthetics can also affect customer satisfaction. Custom designs, wood finishes, and powder-coated finishes can achieve the desired look. Some manufacturers specialize in customization. For example, Innovative Equine Systems offers custom, classically designed stalls, interior partitions and doors, finials, professional-rated hardware, and convenient accessories like feeders and automatic waterers.
Installation & Maintenance
Proper installation is crucial for the safety and functionality of horse stalls. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and ensure that hardware is securely attached as directed.
Educate horse owners about the maintenance needs of the hardware, such as keeping hardware clean, lubricating hinges, and regularly checking fasteners to ensure everything remains in good working order and that no hazardous situations develop.
Many owners know what they want. However, it is ultimately up to the builder to ensure that the hardware installed in horse confines works as it should, is safe, and will hold up over time. FBN
