This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Carol Walker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > We have just started building our barn [...] I would love some input > on stall hardware [...] any recommendations/tips you all would care to > provide. [...] Do any of you use or suggest dutch doors directly > from the stalls to attached paddocks for free access?
My main recommendation would be to make everything draft-horse strength! This time of year, we have a lot of problems with ticks, which means that everyone is rubbing assorted body parts on anything with an outside corner. We've always scolded the old mare, "Nansy, don't rub the barn down!" Well, about a month ago, we came out to find her stall front shoved out about 4" at the bottom---she had apparently "sat" into the doorframe, to rub an itch by her tail, and split the bottom board of the wall, where it was anchored to the floor. Took us a while to unjam the sliding stall door enough to get it open, so we could feed. Anyway, don't skimp on the hardware---the heavy-duty sliding door rollers, intended for large barn doors, are more sturdy than some of the stall-door hardware. Our stalls have outside doorways leading to attached corrals, but no doors. Of course, this is California, so your climate may vary. ;-) I do like letting the equines come and go as they please from their stalls. I've heard that dutch doors (or anything that allows stalled animals to hang their heads out) encourages "weaving", when the animal tries to scratch its chest/neck on the top edge of the door. I use one-piece sliding stall doors to the aisle---solid at the bottom, with a grill (4x4" "bull panel" mesh) at the top. Of course, since mine can go outside to socialize over the corral fences, they don't need to look around in the aisle. (And given how "oral" Fjords tend to be, I'd rather they weren't playing with everything in reach!) Marsha Jo Hannah Murphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 30 mi SSE of San Francisco, Calif. -------
