Stall is not the Horse's Natural Environment

Stall is not the horse's natural environment, although once they have adapted to it, the majority of horses do not mind being stalled. You will need to provide a safe and healthy stall environment in order to keep your horse happy and relaxed.

Whether you are constructing your own stables or using an existing stable, you must consider the site. Stables preferably need to be situated in an area that drains well, is out of the prevailing winds, has electricity and water, and has vehicular access.

It is an advantage to have your stables within a gated yard for security reasons. You must consider safety first and foremost when stalling horses. Stables should be away from the haybarn, which is a fire risk area.

Where there are two rows of stalls facing each other, they should be at least 60 ft (18 m) apart to prevent fire jumping from one row to the other.
Stalls need to be big enough to house your horse comfortably.

As a guide, a pony up to 14.2 hh requires a stall to be at least 10x10 (3x3 m); for a 14.2 hh to 16 hh horse, the stall must be at least 12 x 12 ft (3.6 x 3.6 m); for a horse over 16 hh, the stall should be at least 12 x 14 ft (3.6 x 4.3 m). Foaling boxes, or boxes for very large horses, need to be at least 16 x 16 ft (4.8 x 4.8 m).

It is also important to consider the height and width of the door frame, and the height of the roof. Doors should not be less than 4 ft (1.2 m) wide, and should have a total doorway height of not less than 7 ft (2.1 m).

The bottom half of the door will vary in height depending on the size of pony or horse that the stall has been constructed for. The walls need to be at least 8 ft (2.4 m) high to the bottom of the eaves to allow ample head room.