Facility & Barn Design Your EquinePost.com Facility & Barn Design Expert is: Tom Croce

Barn Considerations (Part II)

Isolation Stall:

At least one isolation stall is recommended to accommodate a horse with a infectious disease requiring isolation, or for a horse requiring quiet specialized treatment. The isolation stall is best located away from the stables but convenient for the care giver. Where possible locate the stall within view of the other horses. The stall should be approx. 50% larger than the stalls and the structure should be able to support a sling attachment.

Feed Room:

This room is intended to house the feed for daily use and should be located as close to the stalls as possible. Provide separate bins for each type of feed, a sink with hot and cold water, and a bucket filling tap. Allow for wall racks for storage. All feed and grain storage bins are lined with galvanized steel for vermin control.

Feed and Hay Storage:

Should be directly accessible from the feed room. The requirements for this room will depend on the size of the facility and the frequency of the delivery of feed and hay. If hay nets are to be used space in this area should be provided for filling them otherwise hay will be taken directly to the stalls.

Bedding Storage:

A variety of materials may be used, many are individual to certain parts of the country. The requirements for there storage are a well ventilated dry area or building. All hay and bedding should be stored in a separate dry barn to minimize fire risk.

Tack Rooms:

This area should be located directly accessible to the stalls, and in large facilities divided into more than one room. The exact size and arrangement will depend on the number of horses being served by each room and the purposes for which those horses are being used. Alternatives for the arrangement of this room are to locate the tack for each horse together, or to separate saddles, bridles, girths, etc. The room must be large enough to accommodate tack trunks, storage of blankets, sheets, and other accessories. This room usually accommodates a medicine cabinet.

Washing and cleaning:

As a accessory of the tack room a space directly accessible from the stable yard is desirable. In this arrangement dirty tack can be taken directly into it without passing through the tack room. Provide a large deep utility sinks with hot and cold water, and washing and drying blankets sheets and other accessories. Provide saddle horses, and bridle holders with adequate clear area to allow cleaning purposes. provide storage for cleaning supplies.

Manure Disposal:

The storage of manure must be positioned well away from the stalls, but must have easy direct access to them, and must be located adjacent to a road to facilitate easy collection.

Offices:

Large establishments and riding schools will require an office for the barn manager. The space must accommodate a desk, chairs, filing cabinets and storage of supplies provide area for a personal computer with a dedicated phone line. The telephone system should be fitted with an external bell or extensions. The office should be located to provide supervision over the stable yard the delivery of goods, and the arrival of riders.

Brood mares and stallions require brighter light and lighting programs to keep fertility levels maximized.

Foaling stall heat:

controllable to raise the temperature as quickly as possible to 75d minimum and to maintain it.

Foaling stall floor:

seamless, rubberized material, textured, and pitched to a separate drain and catch basin (not connected to main barn drainage) Rubberized flooring turned up the walls. Foaling stall adjoined by the sit-up room (also heated) with a one-way unbreakable glass panel and or slide shutter for the groom to observe.

r the next few months we will be looking at other issues realted to the design, planning, and construction of equiestrian facilities. Each month we will focus on a specific topic, such as planning pastures, arena construction, barn planning and construction. If you have any questions related to these issues please send me an e-mail at tlcroce@fuse.com, and I may use it as the basis for a future article.

Your EquinePost.com Facility & Barn Design Expert recommends these websites:

Thomas L. Croce Architects
We specialize in the design of all types of equestrian facilities

Past articles by Tom Croce:

Barn Considerations (Part I) (December, 2003) | Basic Criteria Site Planning (August, 2003) | Pasture and Paddock Design (September, 2003) |