Whether you are a professional in the horse breeding business or a trainer or owner that occasionally feels the urge to have a mare in foal and foal out your next competition prospect, when it comes to horse housing for breeding stock it is wise to keep these tips in mind when building your horse barn.
A modular Horizon Structures barn
When shopping for your new horse barn don't be shy to ask questions about custom options available that suit your specific needs, now and in the future.
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Stall Size For Foal
A pregnant mare necessarily requires some room to move around especially during parturition and once the foal is on the floor you’ll have two stall occupants to contend with that will appreciate space to themselves.
A regular 10 x 12 or 12 x 12 foot stall is not large enough to accommodate the twosome. It is not the case that they won’t fit, it is just much more likely that in a confined space Mom may step on baby resulting in an injury. It is also more likely that she will lay down with her back end to a wall and need to be moved to give birth.
The way to double up the stall space is to design your stabling with removable wall partitions that can be taken up and down as necessary to convert two stalls into one.
If you plan on offering mare care and breeding services in your business the majority of your stalls may be built with removable partitions, with the possible exception of those where you plan to house stallions. If you are an occasional horse breeder then one or two stalls with this option may suffice.
Kickboards and Grill Height/Design
If you ever witnessed a foal bouncing around the pasture you’ll be aware that their exploration of airs above the ground, rearing and bucking are commonplace. Stall walls should be kickboarded with substantial lumber and the grills should be placed high enough for the particular breed to help prevent their tiny feet from becoming caught in the grill.
Distance of the bars on the grill should be less than 3 inches apart to help mitigate the chances of injury. The stall door should also have no gap beneath and be of sufficient height to prevent a young horse or foal attempting to jump out of the stall or become caught with a hoof over the top.
Similarly the quality of the build and the height of kickboarded walls and grills should be sufficient to keep a stallion’s antics in check should he become excited at a mare passing by in heat.
All windows should be protected from errant abuse with the provision of a grill that can be easily removed for window cleaning. Screens on the windows will help deter flies from the stall.
Mares and Stallions Can Cohabit A Barn
While it is obviously stressful to stable a mare in season next to a stallion, smart use and design of your new barn will help alleviate most issues. For example, an L-shaped shedrow barn provides the opportunity to stable mares at one end of the structure and stallions at the other.
Stallions can be taught that when a certain halter is used and they are led in one direction out of their stall it is breeding time, and when another halter is used and they are led the other direction it is simply ‘another day at the office.’ As with any training you provide to your horses, consistency is the key to success.
Extra Provisions Needed For Breeding
Aside from the obvious extra medical kit items like enemas, a .5% chlorhexidine solution (such as Nolvasan) for dipping the umbilical cord stump, rubber gloves, betadine, or whatever else your vet might suggest, you should allow space for storage of the right hay and bedding supplies for both gestation, parturition and lactation.
A mare in late gestation may require an additional calorific intake through parturition and throughout her lactation period. For this reason if she is currently on 1st cut hay, you may need to add 2nd cut hay to her diet. 2nd cut hay is also easier for the foal to nibble during his early foray into dining on Mom’s rations. It is wise to consult with your veterinarian for best advice.
Additionally if you currently bed your horses on shavings or sawdust, you may want to stock up on wheat or oat straw for use as bedding as foaling out time approaches. The reason straw is often preferred over shavings is because it is less abrasive and unlikely to be pulled into the mare’s reproductive tract during the parturition process.
However, if straw is used over rubber mats then the floor can become slippery so it is considered prudent to switch out to pine shavings once the birthing process is complete.
The Klebsiella bacterium is most commonly found in oak not pine shavings, and regardless of whether straw or shavings are used, it is the cleanliness of the stall and the swift application of chlorhexidine to the navel of the foal after the umbilical cord has come away that offers the best way to avoid infection of the foal’s navel.
In your barn design provide an empty stall space in a central location within the building so supplies are handy. A wooden floor can provide a clean, dry and easy sweep surface to prevent moisture seeping up from the ground and contaminating the provisions.
Sliding Stall Doors Are Safest For Interior Use
If you’ve ever handled mares and foals then you know that leading them in and out to pasture can be an adventure, especially with maiden mares that do not like their babies to be out of sight for a minute. With a center aisle design barn, whether it is high or low profile, the sliding door will offer the most safety, as it will not swing back, obstruct or hit the horse on the hip or face when it is open.
Inside/Outside Turnout Options
If you add exterior doors to your stalls and provide an adjacent foal safe enclosure, a mare and foal will quite happily come and go as they please. The disadvantage of this method is that you won’t necessarily be haltering and handling your foal on a daily basis.
Regular and consistent handling is important for all horses. Foals should be taught to lead with a halter and a rope looped behind their rump to encourage them to walk forward (rather than pulling on their delicate necks using the rope on the halter when they stop or back up).
Stallion Collection Area
If you plan to train your stallion to collect for AI or offer live cover for mares, a safe space is essential for the purpose. The area should be large and it should be away from the daily operation of the barn, either at one end of the building or in a separate barn.
For semen evaluation, adding of extenders etc., and laboratory work a small office space can be invaluable addition to your barn. The area should offer heat and hot water, have cleanable work surfaces and offer refrigeration plus lots of storage for supplies.
Viewing Space
Thoroughbred farm operations often build their mare station with an octagonal stall design so foal watch can be accomplished from the center of the building. This is obviously ideal for large breeding operations. Today’s technology can help horse breeders keep watch over their mares with pings to their phones based off birthing alarms and live video streams of the birthing stall.
Ventilation & Lighting
All horses and their caregivers benefit from fresh air, even during colder winter months. Soffit venting, ridge vents, gable vents, cupolas and windows can provide an excellent airflow. Certain barn designs such as shedrows and high profile or monitor barns without a loft space also offer good air circulation. Another advantage of a shedrow design is you can easily add to it later as your operation grows.
Consider roughed in electrics for your new barn purchase for both lighting circuits and for the addition of outlets for veterinary equipment use, fans and vacuums.
Check with your local code enforcement officer for permits and use requirements.
In all things horses safety first is paramount. When shopping for your new horse barn don’t be shy to ask lots of questions about the custom options available that will suit your specific needs, now and in the future.
This article is brought to you courtesy of Horizon Structures Inc., Atglen PA – Modular horse barn and indoor riding arena specialists. Horizon Structures also offers both residential and commercial kennels, coops, multi-use structures and playsets. Please visit https://www.HorizonStructures.com to learn more.
About Horizon Structures: One horse or twenty, there's one thing all horse owners have in common...the need to provide safe and secure shelter for their equine partners. At Horizon Structures, we combine expert craftsmanship, top-of-the-line materials and smart "horse-friendly" design to create a full line of sheds and barns that any horse owner can feel confident is the right choice for their horses' stabling needs.
All wood. Amish Made. Most of our buildings are shipped 100% pre-built and ready for same-day use. Larger barns are a modular construction and can be ready for your horses in less than a week. All our barn packages include everything you need -
Horizon Structures also sells indoor riding arenas, chicken coops, dog kennels, 1 and 2 car garages, storage sheds and outdoor living structures.
Headquartered in South-Central Pennsylvania, Horizon Structures, LLC is owned by Dave Zook. Dave was raised in the Amish tradition and grew up working in the family-owned shed business. He started Horizon Structures in 2001 in response to an ever-increasing customer demand for high quality, affordable horse barns.
For additional information about the company or their product line, please visit their website at https://www.horizonstructures.com
About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International published freelance writer and creative content producer. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing specialist. Nikki also produces catalog and website copy, white papers, e-books, corporate brochures and advertising copy for a wide range of businesses.
As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 34 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international Grand Prix level to scores over 72% and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Baroque breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run Willowview Hill Farm, a private dressage breeding operation and training yard in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York. Please visit https://nikkialvinsmithstudio.com/ to learn more about her affordable services.