Bambi C. wrote on 2/19/2007 :
> "Alison Hiltabidle" <ahiltabidle@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:mn.9a867d724d00d2ff.63778@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>> I don't think so; the ceiling at my barn is about 10 feet. Your barn
>> should be just fine. are there stalls already, or do youhave to build
>> some?
>>
> There's one large stall, approximately 16 x 16, that we used to use for
cows
> delivering their calves. We called it the maternity pen. It's located
> between the milking area of the barn and the back section of the barn
where
> the calves were raised. It has a walk-thru door to the outside, which I
plan
> to change to a larger sliding door.
>
> I'll fence a small paddock area there, with access to the 5-acre field
beside
> the barn. The field will also need to be fenced, so I'd also welcome
any
> fencing suggestions.
>
> I get excited just thinking about it! This will be my first horse, I've
> wanted one ever since I was a little girl. (I'm forty-mumble-something
now.)
>
> Bambi C.
That's a decent sized stall - you might want to cut it down some
(cleaning a stall that size will be a MAJOR pain) but it should work
just fine. I'd also put rubber mats down, if you haven't already.
Cement and horse's legs to mix well, for several reasons; (1) hard on
their feet (2) horse lays down and gets scraped by cement. If you can
set up an area that the horse can use as a run-in, that would not be a
bad plan; gives him the option to come or go, with the stall, you can
bring him in when needed. I've always been of the opinion that horses
should know how to be stalled, even if they are not stalled on a
regular basis. Saves on the stress factor. As far as fencing goes,
I'd find some places in the area and see what they use; barbed wire is
out, but I've had decent luck with 5 strand high-tensile, with the
first, third and fifth strands hot. I'd get a pro to do the
installation (but only because I *really* don't want to do the work).
There are other fencing products out there that are plastic, but I've
never liked them; with hot wire, the horse will touch it once, get bit
by the shock, an leave it alone. With just one horse you won't have
the worry of another horse running him into the fence (which I've seen
happen). Of course, other folks will have differing opinions on
fencing. I'd ask the locals and see what they use; but I would NOT use
barbed wire for all the tea in China. If you want to use board fence,
I'd think about running a hotwire around the inside top board. Keeps
Pony from chewing on wood. With enough grass, he shouldn't want to
chew, anyway.
Good luck with him.
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