Wider isle or bigger stall - Which would you choose?

I was doing some planning for my barn and need to decide on the size of the stalls and the width of the isle.

My barn has posts down both sides of what would be the main isle. The posts are 10' 6" from the wall to the opposite side of the post. Then it is 11' 6" between the posts that run down both sides of the isle.

So I can have stalls that are 10-1/2 feet deep x 11-1/2 feet wide - 4 per side plus a feed room on one side and a tack room on the other side. The rooms would be the same dimensions as the stalls. That would give me a 11-1/2 foot wide isle.

It would be very easy to build the stalls at these dimensions. I had one stall roughed in extending 1 foot past the posts. If I did that on both sides the isle would only be 9-1/2 feet wide. The other downside is that is is more work extending the stalls 1 foot past the posts. Plus I can no longer anchor doors or stalls to the post and the beams that sit on the posts.

Hopefully this all makes sense.

What are your thoughts for wider isles vs. deeper stalls.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Eagle Eye 1

I believe my BO's barn had 10x10 stalls, and they're actually quite roomy too, even for the 17hh warmblood)

But the horses are really only in the stalls over the winter, any other time they're outside (unless there's bad weather)

I'm not sure on the width of the aisle way, but 2 horses can comfortably pass by each other.

hmmm that's a tough one...I think that not extending the stalls might be better because you said yourself that you won't be able to anchor stuff off the beams. I think that keep it as simple and easy and clean cut as possible and you will have a quicker job and be happier with the result. Plus an extra foot x foot in the stall prob wont make too much difference to the horse (when compared to a pasture), but walking down the isle when there is another horse there (whether they get a long or not) will make a HUGE difference.

I certainly want to keep it simple. It would make it quicker and easier to build. It would be stronger and would look better. And I may also be able to make the stall fronts removable for future expansion or improvements.

I remember reading somewhere that even a 12 x 12 stall was on the small side. Maybe that applies to show horse situations. My horses spend as much time outside as possible. I am a firm believer that the horse get little or no benefit from the stall.

A stall is for the comfort of a human. Stalls keep horses warmer so that humans have less clipping to do. Stalls contain horses so that humans can access or catch them easier. I guess a mare giving birth, or a sick horse might benefit from a stall.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback,

Eagle Eye 1

I would go with the wider aisle and smaller stalls. A 10 x 11 stall will provide enough room for the horse to be comfortable. The 11 foot aisle will allow you to drive through with a tractor or other vehicle if needed. Makes cleaning the barn and bringing in deliveries much easier!

I was also thinking that the wider isle would make it appear brighter and more roomier...less like a tunnel.

Eagle Eye 1

Sounds like you got a good plan, now you'll have to update us with pictures down the road when it's finished!

One more thing for me to learn how to do. lol

I am taking pictures and I will find a way to post the end result.

Eagle Eye 1

I think unless your horse is stalled 24/7 or something, then I'd go for the wider aisles! More room is better, esp. with horses! Hehe, they take up so much room! Being cramped is no good.

I talked to a gal that has boarded horses a few miles from my place. She is full and has a waiting list so she is willing to be somewhat of a mentor to me. She is also my mom's cousin.

This gal said that she has a few box stalls and says that most people that board with her would rather go with a tie stall or just pasture board.

Her customers like to let the horse live in it's natural setting (a pasture) and only put it inside when it is extremely cold.

So to her a bigger stall is not a good use of space.