Since the last blog on horse boarding, I discussed various options regarding boarding fees, the amount of turn-out time, feed, etc. Today I would like to address the differences in various types of housing for your horse.
When determining where you will board your horse, housing is a key factor. Here are some important factors you need to keep in mind;
Will the horse be able to move around and not have to stand in manure and/or mud for long periods of time? What to do for thrush is more about making sure a horse has the ability to get out of wet areas. While thrush is a very common condition it can be painful and cause lameness issues if left untreated or if a horse has to stand in wet earth and manure for any length of time.
So if you will have a horse in a stable with little turnout time – I don’t recommend a horse ever be left in a stall all the time unless there is a medical or other necessary reason for it – you need to make sure the stall is cleaned at least once daily. If your horse will have access to a run-in shed you need to make certain the area surrounding the shed is lower so that water is unable to pool inside the shed. The shed should also contain sandy, gravely soil so that urine will drain. It too will need to be cleaned of manure, but not as often as a stall.
STALL or RUN-IN SHED: Pros vs. Cons
Stall Pros:
(some of these will not be issues if your horse is the only horse using the run-in*):
- Happy Trails
When determining where you will board your horse, housing is a key factor. Here are some important factors you need to keep in mind;
Will the horse be able to move around and not have to stand in manure and/or mud for long periods of time? What to do for thrush is more about making sure a horse has the ability to get out of wet areas. While thrush is a very common condition it can be painful and cause lameness issues if left untreated or if a horse has to stand in wet earth and manure for any length of time.
So if you will have a horse in a stable with little turnout time – I don’t recommend a horse ever be left in a stall all the time unless there is a medical or other necessary reason for it – you need to make sure the stall is cleaned at least once daily. If your horse will have access to a run-in shed you need to make certain the area surrounding the shed is lower so that water is unable to pool inside the shed. The shed should also contain sandy, gravely soil so that urine will drain. It too will need to be cleaned of manure, but not as often as a stall.
STALL or RUN-IN SHED: Pros vs. Cons
Stall Pros:
- A Stall provides a great space for tacking your horse.
- It’s a good place for the farrier to work.
- It’s a nice place to groom your horse in inclement weather.
- If your horse should require stall rest due to a medical or lameness issue a stall is the ideal spot.
- It may be easier to determine just how much your horse is consuming and how much he is pooping and urinating.
- Stalls keep dominant horses and passive horses separated when you are concerned about a horse’s safety.
- While your horse will likely not appreciate it, it will stay much cleaner than if left outside to roll and play in the dirt and mud.
- Horses are built to move. They are happier and healthier when they can move around and get exercise. Horses are herd animals and enjoy the company of other horses. A horse in a stall should be exercised daily.
- Stalls require more maintenance, including mucking stalls.
- Stalls are more costly because they require regular bedding changes. If someone is hired to maintain them there is an extra cost for labor.
- Because they are enclosed there is more dust, more concentration of ammonia due to poorer ventilation.
- Stalls are an easier place for flies to gather.
- If stalled too much horses can very well develop vices such as cribbing or pawing, not to mention they just get painfully board being in a stall for long periods of time.
- A run-in shed is much cheaper and easier to build. Some can even be movable.
- Horses can come and go out of shelter as they please, allowing them to be happier and healthier.
- Run-ins are less expensive to maintain because they do not require regular bedding changes and mucking. Every few days the shed will require manure removal and a few times a year it will need to be cleaned out with a tractor and new sand or gravel added, depending on the number of horses using it.
- Being more open, sheds have far less dust and ammonia concentration than stalls.
- There is far less chance of a hose developing vices such as cribbing when they are free to move around and run.
(some of these will not be issues if your horse is the only horse using the run-in*):
- You will need a place to groom, tack, and have a farrier and vet work with your horse, such as an empty stall or other covered shelter with a flat surface. Run-ins are not good candidates for these things.
- If there ever is a bad storm, a run-in will not protect your horse as much as a stall from heavy, driving winds and blowing rain, snow, or hail.
- If there is a dominant horse, that horse may prevent your horse from entering the shed, as well as eating and drinking. This can be a very stressful situation for a horse. *
- You will need access to a stall if your horse should ever require stall rest.
- Since your horse is with other horses it will be difficult to determine how much your horse is eating and drinking. Monitoring poop and urination will also be very difficult. *
- Being allowed to enjoy life as a horse, your horse will be dirty more often than clean.
- Happy Trails
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