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When it comes to housing horses, boxes are one of the most common and versatile options. Whether located indoors or outdoors, these equine living spaces come in various types and sizes, each catering to specific needs and purposes. In this guide, we'll explore different box types, construction considerations, and the importance of factors such as ventilation, flooring, and feeding arrangements.
Types of Boxes
Standing Stalls
Standing Stalls used to be popular for working and military horses, but are not very common anymore. You can still find them in older stables, however, now they are usually used as temporary stops instead of long-term accommodation. These structures are very small and have a feeder in the front, low side walls, and the back part is open to a corridor and gutter to collect manure and urine. While efficient and safe for short stays, the side walls limit the mobility for horses and there is an increased risk of accidents.
Advantages:
·Allow more animals
Eliminate the risk of agitation, because the animals are tied down and have limited movement because of the side walls
Don’t require doors
Facilitate surveillance
Disadvantages:
The horses have their movements limited
Greater risk of accidents because you have to approach the horse from behind. Also, when horses fall, they can get injured trying to get up in these narrow spaces
Needs constant vigilance
A lot of times don’t have a drinking fountain, which makes it necessary to bring horses to a source of water frequently
Indoor Boxes
Indoor boxes provide better long-term accommodations, because they allow horses more freedom of movement and encourage rest. These boxes usually open into the stable corridor or patio. These boxes are extremely common. When building them you should consider the dividing walls, the doors and the material.
Outdoor Boxes
Similar in dimensions to indoor boxes, outdoor boxes can open into a corridor, patio or stand individually in a field. When building them you should consider their orientation to protect the animals from dominant winds and to guarantee a good sun exposure. Also, the roof should project beyond the entrance of the box for greater protection from the rain and sun exposure.
Box Construction
Standard Measures
While box sizes can vary based on usage, standard dimensions include 3m x 3m for smaller horses and ponies, and 3.5m x 4m for larger breeds. Pregnant mares or draft horses may require larger dimensions. A general rule suggests the box floor should be at least double the horse's shoulder height, with the ceiling 30 cm higher than the ears.
Materials
Choosing appropriate materials is crucial, considering the hardness, durability, and toxicity of wood. Metal components should be non-corrosive, and roofs made of materials providing good thermal insulation. Common options include treated wood, non-oxidizable metals, and appropriate roofing materials.
Walls
Box walls must be smooth, reinforced, and the edges rounded for greater safety. All metal components should be non-oxidizable. External walls should be a minimum of 1.40m high, while dividers between boxes may vary but generally should be at least 2.40m. When the facilities have a lot of coming and going of animals, the dividing walls between boxes should prevent “nose-to-nose” contact between horses, to reduce disease transmission.
Doors
Box doors should open outward for safety, have a minimum width of 1.20m, and be made of sturdy materials with reinforced angles. These doors should also provide visibility, but allow isolation when needed.
Flooring Options
Box flooring should be resistant, uniform, anti-slip, impermeable, higher than the surrounding areas and long-lasting.
Dirt Flooring
Common in outdoor boxes, dirt flooring is cheap but may become uneven with the stepping of the horses and turn into a pit as the boxes are cleaned. These floors are also very difficult to disinfect.
Clay Flooring
Better than dirt flooring, clay flooring is more permeable and needs to be substituted and planed regularly. Disinfection is also very difficult.
Wooden Flooring
Found in older facilities, wooden flooring absorbs urine and rotten with time. Can become slippery and dangerous. Needs regular cleaning and substitution.
Concrete Flooring
More expensive than dirt or clay, it has a better durability, allows better drainage, it is easy to apply and it is easily disinfected. This type of flooring requires proper finishing to prevent slipperiness and can also be very hard.
Enhancing Flooring Quality with Rubber Mats
Rubber mats provide a soft surface for horses to lie on and are easily replaceable. They can be applied to various flooring types, improving comfort and hygiene. They also maximize the usage of the beds and protect the floors.
Drainage Systems
Efficient drainage prevents water and urine accumulation, preserving hoof health and preventing respiratory issues. The slope should be to the perimeter and the gutters and drains should ideally be in the corners, far from the feeding places and doors. Proper maintenance of drains and gutters is essential for the maintenance of boxes.
Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is crucial for horse health, preventing respiratory issues. Boxes should allow air circulation without creating drafts and keeping the temperature. This ventilation should be considered with the ventilation of the stable.
Feeding Arrangements
Feeders
Feeders can be fixed or mobile, on the wall or on the floor. Also, they should be shallow to prevent trapping the horse's muzzle, yet deep enough to contain the feed. Wall feeders should be placed away from the water system at the height of the horse’s chest and never in spaces where the horse might get stuck.
Watering Systems
Watering systems, either buckets or automatic devices, require regular cleaning and monitoring for functionality, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Creating optimal living spaces for horses is not easy and it can cost a lot of money. The entire process involves careful consideration of various factors, from available space to box types and construction materials, flooring, drainage, and ventilation. By adhering to best practices, we ensure a comfortable and healthy living environment for our horses.
What about you? What other box solutions do you know? Share them with us!
See you next week,
Isabel and Stephan
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