Back to Basics
By Jason T . Atilla
Aisle Safety For Horse Barns
One of the most overlooked parts of horse barns is the barn aisle . Stalls and tack room are designed with function and comfort , which sometimes lead to poor aisle layout . However , Christine Bakarat , horse enthusiast and designer of several horse barns , insists that barn aisles are just as important as stalls and grooming areas . According to Bakarat , barn aisles serve multiple purposes . Makes sense because for horses , the barns are their living space and driveway in one . Needless to say , barn aisles are high-traffic areas with both equine and human activities . I suggest that you follow Bakarat ’ s simple guidelines in building or redesigning your barns for human and equine safety .
Poorly structured horse barns with improperly maintained aisles are annoying and in most cases , hazardous . The recommended doorway width for barns is eight to twelve feet , depending on the barn area . Ideally , aisles should follow the same width . This enables traffic without overcrowding . Bakarat proposes a simple reference to determine the sufficiency of the width of your barn aisles . First , two horses can pass side by side through it without touching . There should be a comfortable space between the two animals because horses are territorial animals . Second , the aisles are wide enough if a horse can turn around without bumping the stalls . This makes maneuvering horses indoors easier , especially if the feed and tack are inside the barn . Third , a person can pass through the aisle without getting bumped or nipped by the equine occupants of each stall .
Aside from adequate aisle width , ceiling heights should also be considered . Standard heights are pegged at seven and eight feet , but Bakarat insists that ceiling heights depend on the type of horses bred . She offers two options for horse barns which will work for all horses : very high ceilings or ceilings that are very low . Indeed , these are wise options . Why ? To give you an idea , suppose that your horse is very active . Low ceilings will discourage it to rear because it lacked space while high ceilings can accommodate its rearing actions without damaging its face .
If you don ’ t have the budget to redesign your horse barns , there are low-budget solutions to improve aisle safety . Improving stable aisles need not be an overhaul of your whole barn . Bakarat suggests that with a few minor changes , your barn aisles can be turned to a safety haven . First , consider your flooring materials . If you are currently using smooth concrete , you are promoting accidents of slippage . Instead , use paver bricks or add a layer of texturized concrete to add traction . Consider using stall mats or dirt floors depending on your budget . Traction is an important aspect of horse barns . Second , install proper lighting . Install light fixtures at heights that horses can ’ t reach to avoid fire hazards . However , make sure that the mounted lights can illuminate every part of the barn , especially the work areas . Halogen and fluorescent lights are good options . They shine brighter and require minimal maintenance . Third , avoid excessive clutter . Keep the aisles free of equipment by building a small shed or disposing unnecessary items . Consider and apply these guidelines to keep your barns safe for you and your horses .
For more about Horse barns [ http :// www . horse-barn . net ], please visit [ http :// www . horse-barn . net ]. Article Source : http :// EzineArticles . com / expert / Jason _ T ._ Atilia / 43652
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