One of the most important features to look at when you are installing a new barn or stalls for your horse is the door. Horse stall doors can come in a wide range of different sizes, materials, and designs. Two of the most popular options include the sliding barn door and the swinging door. These can cover the entire length of the doorway opening, be divided into two separate panels, or cover half of the opening. They can also be constructed out of metal bars, mesh, or other materials, so be sure to examine all of your options before making any decision regarding which type of barn door to put in place.
In addition to the sliding barn door, swing doors are a popular choice for horse owners. They are popular because they are simple to operate, swinging outward into the aisles of the horse stall or barn. To keep them from decreasing the actual amount of aisle workspace that you have, however, it's important to make sure that there is a latch or “hook and eye” in place to keep them secured. Sliding doors, by contrast, need more hardware to operate, but they take up no aisle space or space within the horse stall, and are convenient. They run on an overhead track in most cases, and will need a stop to keep the door from running too far off the track.
A sliding barn door will also need guides at the level of the floor, so that if the horse is pawing, prancing, kicking, or leaning on the door, it will stay in place. If you choose to have some space at the bottom of the door, you will need to be sure that it is minimal, so that the horse can't accidentally get its hoof stuck under the door. Safety should always come first when you are comparing the different barn door options on the market. Think about the temperament of your horse. If you have a calm, placid horse, these security measures may not be as vital. Some horses prefer more privacy or get territorial, in which case a full length door is a better idea than a half-door or gate.
It's also important to remember that horses can potentially jump over their stall gates or stall walls if they are not built tall enough. Stall grilles or screens are used to enclose the stall sides, back and front area, not including the walk through door area and can be ordered in standard or custom sizes from most manufacturers. The use of stall grilles will deter horses from jumping over stall walls as well as increasing visibility, ventilation and visitation amongst other stall inhabitants.
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