Choosing the right materials for your horse stall doors is an important decision. You want to ensure that they will be durable and safe.

Stall walls and barn doors both take a lot of punishment, so it’s important that they’re made out of strong materials. According to Pink Equine, a leader in equestrian and horse riding equipment, you should look for seamless welds, including on crosshatch and grilled framework sections for all stall doors.

Metal

There are many options regarding the right material for your horse stall doors. Price, safety, and availability are important factors to consider.

Besides the thickness of the stall doors, you should also consider the thickness of the frame because you want the structure to be able to withstand the weight of your horses.

A frame that can defy your large or strong-willed horses is essential for protecting a stall door from being chewed or pushed open. The structure should be at least 2 inches thick for a wooden stall door.

Metal bars are an excellent option for the upper portion of a horse’s stall walls. These bars help prevent a horse from rearing up in the stall. They also help contain the horse and decrease ventilation issues.

Wood

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right material for your horse stall doors, including size, materials and features.

One of the most important aspects to consider is a door’s thickness and width. A stall door that is too thin will ultimately be unsafe and unsecure for your horses and caretakers.

Another potential issue to consider is wall protection. Wood can be a choking and chewing hazard for horses. Therefore, it should be sealed with a non-toxic coating to prevent moisture buildup.

The best stall wall protection is a padded cell-style construction, offering the equine occupant the highest protection and security.

You also want to choose a base for your stall floor that is draining and stable, such as an aggregate base. Avoid sand or hard-backed bases that could shift when your horse pulls up.

Style

When building a barn, aim for stall doors and flooring that will last. This will keep your horse comfortable and safe within their stall.

Stall doors come in several styles, ranging from swinging to sliding doors. You’ll want to consider your horse’s temperament to determine the best type of door.

If you opt for a sliding door, ensure it has floor-level guides to prevent sagging when the horse paws, leans or kicks at it.

Other stall fixtures include feed tubs, water buckets and tie rings. Fastening feed and water buckets to stall walls is easy with double-ended snaps or eyehooks.

Fiberglass

A variety of materials can be used for your horse stall doors. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, but knowing which ones are safe and affordable for your horses can help you make the right choice.

Fiberglass is a glass-based composite that is used in a wide range of applications. It is made by melting raw materials, such as silica sand, limestone and kaolin clay, in a furnace.

The melted material is extruded through tiny brushings or spinnerets to produce several glass filaments. The size and amount of these filaments, called yield or tex, are important in determining the weight of the finished material.

Fiberglass is available in various thicknesses, and it must be carefully chosen. Too thin and the material can sag, while too thick can cause it to crack. These are important materials to consider while searching for new barn stall doors.

Jane