STALL AND STABLE – B2
Instructor’s Guide
Part I – Physical Facilities
Purpose
1.
2.
Know the primary considerations when choosing a site for a stable
Discuss practical aspects of stable set up including equipment, feed and tack rooms and
security
3. Compare the suitability and drainage properties of various flooring materials
4. Know the safety features required to help prevent or control outbreaks of fire
Teaching Suggestions
1. Remind students that they must be reviewing materials from previous years as questions from
previous years content is definitely turning up on tests.
2. Hold this lesson at a well constructed stable/yard and evaluate the various elements as you
discuss
3. From the fire prevention list, identify those which relate to the physical properties of the
stable
Choosing a Stable Site
1.
General
Considerations
USAB 377
2.
3.
4.
Land
USAB 377
1.
2.
Legal constraints: find out if there are any legal constraints affecting your
stable plans (e.g., zoning restrictions or homeowner covenants)
Factors influencing operating costs

potential land values,
 property taxes
 utilities
Exposure to risk of legal disputes, liability problems and increased costs in
insurance and security
 neighbor’s exposure to noise, flies, dust, odors, traffic, straying horses
and appearance of your property
 your potential exposure to trespassing children etc.
Public relations
 secure fencing
 good sanitation
 maintaining a clean, attractive facility
 being generally considerate of the public
Topography (flat, rolling or steep)
 more site preparation (grading or filling) may be required if facilities
not located on the top of a well drained knoll or hill
Type of soil (clay, adobe, loam, gravel or sandy)
 good drainage required for stables, riding areas, paddocks and
pastures
 poorly drained areas prone to poor drainage, runoff or flooding,
damage and deterioration, difficult maintenance and breeding
mosquitoes

Access
USAB 377
both these factors affect drainage, grass, hay grown, footing and usefulness for
a horse facility
1. Driveway surface
 hard
 can handle trucks, farm machinery and trailers
2. Parking and traffic patterns
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 1
Pure Air
MH 126
Good Light
MH 126
Dry Foundations
MH 127
Drainage
Results of poor
drainage



 vehicles, trailers, pedestrians, riders and led horses
air circulation
sheltered from prevailing winds
arranged in echelon or parallel lines or large open squares  maximize light
and free supply of air





see Ventilation in B lesson materials for details
make the most of natural light
use safe electrical circuit for night and winter light
light should be provided for the stalls, the tack room and across the yard
type of foundation required will depend on type of soil
1. constant dampness
2. mud
3. possible flooding
USAB 380
Factors Influencing
Drainage
USAB 380
Construction
Considerations
USAB 380
Good Drainage
MH 127
Good Water
Supply
MH 127
Why have security



1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
These conditions are unhealthy, inefficient and lead to costly damage
Solving drainage problems can be expensive
Address drainage problems before construction to save later
location
soil
terrain
rainfall
snow load
design
engineering
maintenance of facility
locate on well drained ground but not where runoff can contaminate other water
sources
2. under eaves and gutters need good drainage and eaveshoots to direct water
away from foundation
3. stall floors need good drainage
a) dig floor down and later with 24” of rock, 12” of ¾” crushed stone
topped with 6” layer of clay  level and tamp down
b) fill and level stall floor with 6” layer of blue stone, decomposed
limestone or road base
c) install floor grid over sand, limestone or dirt floors to keep level
d) slope hard-surfaced floors slightly toward a concrete gutter or a center
drain
 attention to drainage out of the stalls, under the taps and anywhere horses or
vehicles may be hosed
 fresh water should be available near the stables
 water source should be protected from frost
1. Confine horses to stalls
2. Control who accesses stable
USAB 378
How to provide
security
1.
2.
USAB 378
3.
perimeter fence with a gate barring access to the highway
security light, mounted on barn or yard  ease checking horses and
discouraging intruders
dog
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 2
 never lock the stable itself  danger of fire
 tack rooms, feed rooms, garages and storage areas should be secure
Stable Features
Utilities
USAB 381
Aisles
Hay and Bedding
Storage
USAB 384
Feed Storage
USAB 385
Tack Room
USAB 386
Utility Room
USAB 387
Water
1. reliable supply
2. buried below frost line
3. frost free hydrants installed
Electricity
1. meet local fire codes
2. properly grounded
3. protected from chewing by horses or rodents
4. explosion proof light fixtures
Aisles
 wide enough for safe handling of horses
 accommodate a tractor and manure spreader (8 feet minimum – 10 to 12 feet is
better)
1. store in separate building from stable  reduce fire risk
2. do not store above stalls  increase exposure to dust and spores (aggravate
respiratory ailments)
3. stacked on pallets (not on floor)  prevent moisture damage to bottom layer
4. keep loose hay should be swept up  fire hazard and breeding ground for flies
5. green sawdust can generate heat so do not stack against a wooden structure
Characteristics
1. clean
2. dry
3. safe from rodents
4. secure (prevent horses accessing)  tight lids on storage bins
Supplied with
 scales
 measuring cans
 feed cart
Characteristics
5. dry
6. away from direct heat
7. away from excessive humidity
8. protected from dirt
9. protected from dust
10. protected from rodents
11. secure  solid wood or metal doors, security locks and windows inaccessible
from outside
Supplied with
12. racks  keep saddle and bridle shape and allow pads to air dry
13. heater  in winter keep room at 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit (** be aware of fire
danger)
14. cabinets and shelves  storage of supplies
15. locked cupboard for medications
16. counter space for a work area
17. small refrigerator  for medication storage
18. desk, chair etc. if used as office
1. deep sink
2. hot and cold water
3. washing machine
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 3
4.
5.
additional storage space
space for storing trunks/blankets and other large items

keep tools, wheelbarrows, muck baskets and similar equipment must be kept
meat, accessible but out of the way
Flooring Material comparisons
Material
Suitable for
Concrete
 aisles, tack rooms, feed rooms,
wash stalls

Drainage
needs slope to drain
Asphalt
 too hard for stall floors
 use texturized for nonslip surfaces
 aisles

needs slope to drain
Dirt
 easy to sweep but can be slippery
 stalls, pens

may be muddy
Clay
 horses create holes and uneven
surface
 needs frequent maintenance
 odors linger
 hard to disinfec
 stalls

slow to dry
Sand
 as for dirt
 pens, outdoor aisles

good
Wood
 horses may ingest sand along with
hay and feed  risk of colic
 heavy
 difficult to clean when wet
 Tack room, office

needs space between boards to
drain
Bricks
 not suitable for aisles and stalls
because it is hard and slippers, rots
and breaks up and harbors pests
 aisles, tack room

needs drain or slope
Gravel (pea gravel)
 expensive to install but durable and
attractive
 hard to sweep
 stall base, outdoor aisles

excellent





good

depends on base underneath
Road base
(limestone/gravel/
dirt mix)
Rubber mats
good traction
hard to keep clean
stalls require mats over gravel
stalls, aisles
 can be dusty
 may develop holes or uneven
surfaces
 stalls, aisles, wash stalls
 good over concrete, gravel or dirt
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 4
Stall floor grid
 prevents holes but requires bedding
to absorb urine
 stalls
 plastic grid to retain stall floor
material and keep flooring level
 use with dirt, gravel, road base or
limestone
Preventing and controlling fires
1. post no smoking signs (USC 175)
Fire Precautions
2. post fire department phone number near phone (USC 175)
MH 268
3. install an alarm
4. have adequate fire extinguishers in the yard
5. have faucets and hoses outside the barn (USC 175)
6. keep all doors free to open (avoid snow and ice build up) (USC 173)
7. cut down brush and weeds around barn (USC 175)
8. keep aisles clean (no trash, cobwebs, bedding, hay etc) (USC 175)
9. do not store flammables in the stable (USC 175)
10. keep halters and lead ropes near stalls (USC 175)
11. work out the fire drill (including how you will evacuate)
12. make sure all boarders and employees know what to do in case of fire
13. never smoke in stable yard, barns or trailers
14. unplug all appliances not in use or when you are away from yard
15. make sure bonfires or burning muck heaps are well away from stable
16. have wiring regularly inspected (USC 175)
1. Sound the alarm
In case of fire
 shout to attract attention if you don’t have an alarm
MH 269
2. Evacuate stable
 people first, then horses
3. Call the fire brigade
 unblock the access to the road
4. Fight the fire
 only if safe
1. lead them out if possible
Removing horses
2. if you cannot lead them out
from stable
 block access to any roads or other places of danger
MH 269
 open stable doors to enable the horses to escape
 direct them into field or safe place and fence them in
 cover their heads with jacket (or wet cloth) with ears out sleeves if
they will not move
 lead a long way from stable as he may try to return
 USC says to call fire brigade before evacuating
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 5
Part II – Isolation and Disease Control
Purpose
1. Discuss an isolation program for a new horse entering the stable
2. Know how to prevent the spread of disease within the stable
3. Know conditions which merit isolation
Teaching Suggestions
1. Be sure students understand the purpose of isolation so they can think through any questions
logically
Isolation Principles
Purpose of
Isolation
MH 345
When to isolate
MH 345
Isolating the new
horse (or horse
returning from
show) USAB 352


prevent direct and indirect contact between horses
helps prevent spread of diseases to other horses
1.
2.
3.
when a new horse arrives
when a horse returns from a show
when a horse shows signs such as cough, running nose, diarrhea, ringworm or
another possibly contagious disease  until a vet says otherwise
isolate for two weeks
take temperature daily
do not introduce to other horses if horse appears sick
4.
5.
6.
Preventing spread of disease
1. isolate new horses for two weeks
General Principles
2. do not borrow or lend buckets, tack or equipment unless it is thoroughly
USAB 352
disinfected before and after use
3. require visiting horses to be in good health with a current Coggins test and
proof of inoculations
4. keep visiting horses away from resident horses
5. strip and disinfect stalls of visiting horses before arrival and after they depart
6. avoid sharing paddocks or water troughs
7. keep all horses well nourished (KYH 74)
8. keep stabling warm, dry and clean (KYH 74)
9. keep feed room clean (KYH 75)
10. distribute feed to a number of horses in a hygienic manner (KYH 75)
When a horse in
the stable is ill
USAB 353
 isolation is sometimes used on the severely lame horse to prevent him from
roaring about or being distracted by other horses (NZ2 195)
1. stable sick horse away from others  separate building if available
2. do not turn out in pasture adjacent to well horses
3. use separate buckets, utensils, feed measures etc for sick horse and keep them
away from other equipment
4. use disposable materials (rubber gloves, paper towel etc.) rather than things
that can carry infection like rags and sponges
5. if possible a separate person should care for the sick horse  if not possible do
sick horse last
6. wash hands and change clothes before contacting healthy horses
7. disinfect stall, buckets, feed tubs, and any equipment used on sick horse
8. take temperature of well horses morning and evening  rise in temperature
may indicate early sign of disease and horse should be isolated
9. stop all travel to and from stable
10. discourage visitors
11. consult vet regarding inoculations
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 6
Conditions Meriting Isolation
Contagious
 e.g. ringworm, lice
Diseases (MH 345)
 require direct contact between horses or contaminated people or equipment
 all contagious diseases are infectious
Infectious Diseases
 e.g. strangles, influenza, Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA, pinkeye), Equine viral
MN 345
Rhinopneumonitis (EVR),
 direct contact is not required as micro-organism can be air born
 not all infectious diseases are contagious
Part III – Miscellaneous
Purpose
1. Know the common stable vices, their causes and remedies
2. Know how to care for the horse at pasture during the various seasons
Teaching Suggestions
1. If possible, view examples of the various stable vices
2. Have the students think through the seasonal care of horses at pasture  they should be able
to figure it out if you prompt them with questions such as “How would you address the colder
weather of winter?” or “If a horse has been off of grass for some time, how might you
reintroduce him?”
Common Stable Vices
Vice
Description/Cause/Remedy
Weaving
Description
 continuous rocking or swaying action of forelegs followed by similar action of
HN 98
the head
 cannot seem to rest and may lose condition
 results in shoe wear
 bad cases may become lame
Cause
1. boredom
2. nervousness
Remedy
1. remove cause, where possible
2. provide well-bedded loosebox  encourage horse to lie down
3. two bricks or tires suspended over half-door so that horse knocks into them
when he weaves
4. avoid periods of idleness  turn out to pasture rather than in box
5. isolate horse which weaves as others may imitate
6. install a V-shaped grille on the stable door (VN 579)
Wind sucking
Description
 arch neck and suck air  common cause of flatulent colic (does not require
HN 98
and object to rest teeth on)
 impairs digestion
 prevent horse putting on flesh
Cause
1. idleness
2. lack of bulk food
3. irritation of the stomach which causes a specific craving
4. may start while being groomed or by gnawing unseasoned wood
Remedy
1. prevent boredom  divide exercise into two periods
2. paint woodwork in box or stall with bitter aloes or other anti-chew mixture
3. keep horse in loosebox not tied up (or at pasture)
4. have rock salt constantly available
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 7
Vice
Crib-biting
Kicking in stall
HN 97
Stamping and
Pawing
HN 97
Biting and
Snapping
HN 98
Description/Cause/Remedy
5. give horse plenty of bulk food
6. use a cribbing strap to prevent arching neck/sucking
7. isolate as other horses may copy
Description
 can wear down the front surface of teeth, inflamed gums or broken teeth
(USAB 339)
 can influence ability to graze properly
 take hold of object and chew
 generally differentiated from windsuckers because they don’t suck air (KYH
179) although some sources (such as HN) state they do suck air
Cause/Remedy
1. as for wind sucking
2. provide a companion (VN 579)
3. reduce surfaces to chew by removing or covering with metal (VN 579)
4. provide entertainment (such as a ball) (VN 579)
Description
 horse stands and kicks at walls
Cause
1. boredom
2. idleness
3. irritability
4. rats and mice
5. parasites
Remedy
1. pad box or stall with bales or matting
2. line box with gorse
3. hang sack of straw behind hindquarters
4. put hobbles on horse and attach to the headcollar by ropes
5. put kicking chains on hind feet (leather strap with short chain attached  when
he kicks chain comes around and hits him)
6. turn out for 6 months  maybe he’ll forget
7. keep horse well exercised  divide daily exercise into two periods instead of
one
Description
 horse stands in stall and stamps or paws
Cause
1. as for kicking
2. lack of bedding
3. impatience
4. sign of internal pain or colic
Remedy
1. removal of cause
2. good deep clean bed
3. some for kicking may help
4. rubber mat to prevent digging holes (USD 182)
Description
 at people or other horses passing by
Cause
1. mismanagement
2. irritation by improper grooming
3. feeding tidbits
4. failure to stop playful snapping in early stages
Remedy
1. firmness and kindness  sharp slap on side of muzzle in early stages
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 8
Vice
Refusal to lie down
HN 100
Eating Bedding
and droppings
HN 100
Tearing clothing
and bandages
HN 100
Description/Cause/Remedy
2. tie up confirmed biters before grooming to protect groom
3. groom carefully and with consideration
4. grate on stall door to prevent reaching out at passers by
Cause
1. nervousness  strange surroundings or horse may have been cast
2. lack of bedding
3. in a tie stall, shank may be too short
Remedy
1. remove cause
2. give long steady work for two or three days
3. bring horse in late at night (if he is tired and can once by persuaded to lie
down, he may overcome his nervousness)
Cause
1. boredom
2. lack of bulk food
3. lack of mineral salts
4. worm infestation
Remedy
1. remove cause
2. bed in peat moss
3. mix new and used bedding well
4. sprinkle bedding with Lysol
5. horse may have to wear a cradle or muzzle
6. tie horse up before exercise so he cannot reach bedding or droppings
Cause
1. trying to alleviate itching
2. idleness
Remedy
1. examine and treat skin disease any particular spot horse bites
2. paint clothing with some nasty-tasting liquid
3. use leather bid hanging from back of head stall behind lower lip
4. keep plenty of bulk food and salt available
Caring for the horse in different seasons
Season
Treatments Required
Spring
 limit initial grazing time to an hour a day at first  gradually increase over two
to three weeks (avoid diarrhea and digestive upsets)
USAB 329
 manage obese horses, small ponies and horses that have had previous laminitis
attacks carefully to avoid overeating lush grass (pasture is high in water and
protein at this time USAB 313)
 gradually cut back supplementary hay as horses stop eating it
Summer
 provide salt free choice all year but especially in summer (electrolyte minerals
(Na, Cl and K) are lost in sweat)
USAB 329
 check water daily as consumption may increase in heat and natural sources
may dry up
 deworm regularly throughout the year
 flies are a trail in summer  provide a shed, shade and a companion to flick
flies with (MH 142)
Fall
 if horse is living outdoors during winter, they would do well to be carry a little
extra fat in the fall
USAB 328
 horses that are underweight are more severely stressed by wet or cold weather
and are more vulnerable to disease
Winter
 reduce stress by providing shelter from wind cold and rain
 increase energy content of the feed as well as feeding extra hay
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 9
USAB 328



especially true for the aged, pregnant, very young, or debilitated
free access to water during cold weather (break ice 2x per day, insulate stock
tanks or use stock tank heaters)
regularly check horse’s condition through  long coat can hide first signs of
weight loss and it can be hard to reverse the process if you do not notice early
Stall and Stable (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 10
STALL AND STABLE – B2
Homework Key
15 marks total
1. Describe the differences between cribbing and windsucking (2)
Cribbing (crib biting)




can wear down the front surface of teeth, inflamed gums or broken teeth (USAB 339)
can influence ability to graze properly
take hold of object and chew
generally differentiated from windsuckers because they don’t suck air (KYH 179)
although some sources (such as HN) state they do suck air
Windsucking
 arch neck and suck air  common cause of flatulent colic
 impairs digestion
 prevent horse putting on flesh
2. List three points when isolating the new horse (3)
1. isolate for two weeks
2. take temperature daily
3. do not introduce to other horses if horse appears sick
3. Describe your ideal tack room (including characteristics and fittings) (6)
1. dry
2. away from direct heat
3. away from excessive humidity
4. protected from dirt
5. protected from dust
6. protected from rodents
7. secure  solid wood or metal doors, security locks and windows inaccessible from
outside
Supplied with
1. racks  keep saddle and bridle shape and allow pads to air dry
2. heater  in winter keep room at 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit (** be aware of fire danger)
3. cabinets and shelves  storage of supplies
4. locked cupboard for medications
5. counter space for a work area
6. small refrigerator  for medication storage
7. desk, chair etc. if used as office
4. Give one point of horse care specific for each season (4)
Spring
 limit initial grazing time to an hour a day at first  gradually increase over two to three
weeks (avoid diarrhea and digestive upsets)
 manage obese horses, small ponies and horses that have had previous laminitis attacks
carefully to avoid overeating lush grass (pasture is high in water and protein at this time
USAB 313)
 gradually cut back supplementary hay as horses stop eating it
Stall and Stable (B2) – Homework Key -- 1
Summer




provide salt free choice all year but especially in summer (electrolyte minerals (Na, Cl
and K) are lost in sweat)
check water daily as consumption may increase in heat and natural sources may dry up
deworm regularly throughout the year
flies are a trail in summer  provide a shed, shade and a companion to flick flies with
(MH 142)
Fall


if horse is living outdoors during winter, they would do well to be carry a little extra fat
in the fall
horses that are underweight are more severely stressed by wet or cold weather and are
more vulnerable to disease
Winter





reduce stress by providing shelter from wind cold and rain
increase energy content of the feed as well as feeding extra hay
especially true for the aged, pregnant, very young, or debilitated
free access to water during cold weather (break ice 2x per day, insulate stock tanks or
use stock tank heaters)
regularly check horse’s condition through  long coat can hide first signs of weight loss
and it can be hard to reverse the process if you do not notice early
Stall and Stable (B2) – Homework Key -- 2
STALL AND STABLE – B2
Student’s Guide
Part I – Physical Facilities
Purpose
1.
2.
3.
4.
Know the primary considerations when choosing a site for a stable
Discuss practical aspects of stable set up including equipment, feed and tack rooms and security
Compare the suitability and drainage properties of various flooring materials
Know the safety features required to help prevent or control outbreaks of fire
Choosing a Stable Site
General
Considerations
USAB 377
Land
USAB 377
Access
USAB 377
Pure Air
MH 126
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 1
Good Light
MH 126
Dry Foundations
MH 127
Drainage
Results of poor
drainage (3)
USAB 380
Factors Influencing
Drainage (8)
USAB 380
Construction
Considerations
USAB 380
Good Drainage
MH 127
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 2
Good Water
Supply
MH 127
Why have security
(2)
USAB 378
How to provide
security (3)
USAB 378
Stable Features
Utilities
Water
USAB 381
Electricity
Aisles
Aisles
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 3
Hay and Bedding
Storage
USAB 384
Feed Storage (4)
Characteristics
USAB 385
Supplied with
Tack Room
Characteristics
USAB 386
Supplied with
Utility Room
USAB 387
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 4
Flooring Material comparisons
Material
Concrete
Suitable for
Drainage
Asphalt
Dirt
Clay
Sand
Wood
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 5
Material
Bricks
Suitable for
Drainage
Gravel (pea gravel)
Road base
(limestone/gravel/
dirt mix)
Rubber mats
Stall floor grid
Preventing and controlling fires
Fire Precautions
MH 268
USC 173, 175
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 6
In case of fire (4)
MH 269
Removing horses
from stable
 USC says to call fire brigade before evacuating
MH 269
Part II – Isolation and Disease Control
Purpose
1. Discuss an isolation program for a new horse entering the stable
2. Know how to prevent the spread of disease within the stable
3. Know conditions which merit isolation
Isolation Principles
Purpose of
Isolation
MH 345
When to isolate
MH 345
Isolating the new
horse (or horse
returning from
show) USAB 352
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 7
Preventing spread of disease
General Principles
USAB 352
KYH 74
NZ2 195
When a horse in
the stable is ill
USAB 353
Conditions Meriting Isolation
Contagious
Diseases (MH 345)
Infectious Diseases
MN 345
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 8
Part III – Miscellaneous
Purpose
1. Know the common stable vices, their causes and remedies
2. Know how to care for the horse at pasture during the various seasons
Common Stable Vices
Vice
Weaving
Description
Description/Cause/Remedy
HN 98
Cause
Remedy (add VN 579)
Wind sucking
Description
HN 98
Cause
Remedy
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 9
Vice
Crib-biting
Description/Cause/Remedy
Description
USAB 339
KYH 179
VN 579
Cause/Remedy
Kicking in stall
Description
HN 97
Cause
Remedy
Stamping and
Pawing
HN 97
USD 182
Description
Cause
Remedy
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 10
Vice
Biting and
Snapping
Description/Cause/Remedy
Description
HN 98
Cause
Remedy
Refusal to lie down
Cause
HN 100
Remedy
Eating Bedding
and droppings
Cause
HN 100
Remedy
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 11
Vice
Tearing clothing
and bandages
Description/Cause/Remedy
Cause
HN 100
Remedy
Caring for the horse in different seasons
Season
Spring
Treatments Required
USAB 329
Summer
USAB 329
MH 142
Fall
USAB 328
Winter
USAB 328
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student’s Guide -- 12
STALL AND STABLE – B2
Homework
1. Describe the differences between cribbing and windsucking (2)
Cribbing (crib biting)
Windsucking
2. List three points when isolating the new horse (3)
3. Describe your ideal tack room (including characteristics and fittings) (6)
4. Give one point of horse care specific for each season (4)
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Name:
Stall and Stable (B2) – Student Homework -- 1