An important part of horse ownership is determining whether you are going to build your own horse stall, or board your horse in a professional facility. Those that decide to keep their horse at home will then need to think about the different types and features of their stalls. The stall door, for example, comes in a variety of different sizes, types, and materials to choose from. Two of the most common types of stall doors are swinging or sliding models. These may be divided into two separate panels, partially cover half of the stall opening, or cover the full length of the doorway opening. The right size will depend on your horse's breed and temperament, in many cases.
When a stall door only covers half or three quarters of the opening, the open area of the door will be supplemented with metal mesh or bars in some cases. This allows the horse to see outward, but will prevent the horse from jumping over the barrier. Another choice to make is whether you prefer swing or sliding doors. Swing doors are convenient because they require less hardware, and are simple to operate. Be sure to choose swing doors that open into the aisle of the barn, rather than those that open into the stall. Sliding doors will run on an overhead track, and may need a stop to help prevent them from opening too far and even rolling off the track.
Sliding doors will also require guides to keep the lower portion of the stall door in place if the horse has busy hooves that are trying to kick and paw under the door. If you leave a gap between the bottom of the door and the ground, be sure that it is small enough that hooves can't potentially get stuck in this small space.
Some other factors to consider when you are comparing stall door options are safety features. You should be sure that door guides on any sliding doors are rounded in shape, and out of the path of traffic. Avoid any sharp edges in general. If you have door latches that are too easy to open, the horse may be able to work its way out of the door. These are just a few things to think about to ensure that you have the most convenient, safe, and efficient stall doors for your horses.
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