Equine Facilities Equipment Functions of horse housing Provide

Equine Facilities & Equipment

Functions of horse housing Provide for the welfare of horses Provide for the safety, health and comfort of human handlers Provide easy access for suppliers, clients Be cost-effective and have efficient use of labor Layout should facilitate day-to-day activities Flexible design to allow for future changes

Environmental analysis Topography Precipitation Drainage Vegetation Prevailing winds Soil characteristics Solar radiation

Stalls Box Stall For Most Horses 12 X 12’ Box Stall – Foaling or Stallions Box Stall – Stallions 16 X 16’ Box Stall – Minimum for mature horses Box Stall – Miniatures 10 X 10’ Tie-stall 5 X 9’ 14 x 14’ 8 X 8’

Well designed box stalls/tie-stalls Layout – entryways, alleys and traffic-flow Sizes Door clearance Pen height Stall fronts Stall construction

Wheeler

Stalls l Height l 8 -9’ l Solid – 4 -5’ l Slatted for ventilation l Ceilings l Min. 8’ l Lighting l One light/10’ aisle way l Each stall l Electrical outlets

Stall Floors

Other essential areas, equip. Wash stall Tacking/Grooming area Aisles Electrical Lighting—tack room, mares/stallions Water system—waterer, sink, hydrants, wash rack

Ventilation l Reduce condensation l Prevent mold, mildew l Decrease airborne contaminants l Remove heat - circulation fans l Windows (summer), Eaves (winter)

Rule of Thumb Ventilation Considerations 1 ft. ridge ventilation for each horse or stall Min. 4 -8 air changes/hr New barn 6” ridge vent – min. 12 -14” overhang Vented soffitt running full length Hay above stalls Air passage of 12” between wall & bales

Tack room Size Desired characteristics Security Wall space for hanging equipment Floor space for saddle racks

Optional horse facilities Manure storage Hay and bedding storage Shed for trucks and trailers Sick horse stall Office

Outdoor Facilities Outdoor pen - 12 x 12’ • Pasture (turnout) acre or more • Paddock - 15’ X 75’ • 500 sq. ft/horse • Good drainage - 0. 1

Sheds & Free Access Shelters Min. 100 sq. ft. /horse Floor – 6 -8” gravel covered with dirt or heavy bedding

Indoor Arenas Clear span structures MIN. 36 feet wide = exercise/training 50 feet wide = exercise/training/riding Ceiling height 14 ft min. 16 ft high = hunters/jumpers

Arenas l Recommended Ring Size l Multiple Day Show l Indoor – 100 x 250’; 135 x 225’; 150 x 300’ l Outdoor – 100 x 250’ l One Day Show l Indoor – 80 x 200’ l Outdoor – 80 x 200’

Arenas l FOOTING l Min. 3” deep l Sand/shavings l Commercial Products l Fibers l Plastic flakes l Polymers l Rubber l BASE firm - Level, very l Slight pitch 1 -2 o l Depth of base l Dressage l Jumping 4 -6” 6 -12”

Fencing § Height requirements § Perimeter fences 5 -6 ft high § Stud pens 6 ft high § Bottom of fence no higher than 12 inches above ground § Boards of wooden fences secured to inside of post § Walkways between stud pens § Gates level with top board of fence

Manure Management Daily Manure & Waste Production from A Typical 1, 000 lb. Horse Manure Daily 31 lb feces 2. 4 gallons urine Stall Waste Daily 15 -20 lbs bedding (1. 6 ft 3) 51 lbs manure (0. 8 ft 3) 60 -70 lbs stall waste/day (2. 4 ft 3)

Min. Distances Between Manure Storage/Composting Areas & Other Activities Sensitive Area Property line Min. Separation Distance (ft) 50 Residence or place of business 200 Private well or other potable water source Wetlands or surface (streams, ponds, lakes) Subsurface drainage pipe 100 25 Water table (seasonal high) 3 Bedrock 3

Horsekeeping Problems l Unprotected aprons l Inconvenient floor plan l Hazardous stall doors l Built-in grain bins l Skimpy spaces

Horsekeeping Problems l Inadequate entryways l Electrical failures l Storage shortage l Stalls around the arena l Inhospitable sheds l No phone

WINTER CARE l Boredom l Shelter l Ventilation

WINTER CARE l Water l Nutritional requirements l Each 10 o in temperature, a horse requires 15 -20% more feed. l Dental program l Inoculations/deworming

Liability The Average Horse Owner It Speaks For Itself Boarding Stables Loose Horses

Liability Scan barns and pastures. Keep entranceways free of ice and snow. Warning signs First-aid kit. Post “stable rules”.

Liability Encourage or require safety helmets. Use contracts and written release forms. Insurance up to date. Post “no trespassing signs”.

Liability Note pad or message board. Install lighting around exterior and doorways. Regular fence inspections. Warning signs near horses with dangerous propensities.