Maybe you are looking at getting your first mini or maybe like us you have a mixture of regular sized horses and mini’s. We had a couple Mare’s come in so we had to reorganize the barn because our one mini still hasn’t been cut. So we had to make a make shift stall for the time being while we did some renovating on the other side of the barn. Needless to say we wanted to make a stall big enough for him to be comfortable but as small as possible for the time being.
So how big should a miniature horse stall be?
A mini horse stall should be 6′ X 8′ if possible. This will give them room to turn around and lay down when they want with ease still. If you have a regular sized 10′ X 10′ or 10 X 12′ that will work as well. Using a 4 foot gate would still be a good idea as well for mini’s stall.
So all you need actually need is:
- 2 walls at 8 foot in length (5 to 6 feet high minimum)
- 1 wall at 6 foot length (5 to 6 feet high minimum)
- 6 foot gate (or build wall in foot on each side for 4 foot gate)
Building A Miniature Horse Stall
You do have options in a barn and don’t need to overthink how to build a mini horse stall. If you have an extra horse stall just that and it will work just fine. If you are starting from scratch in a barn you can quickly get some sheep/goat panels and throw something together for the short term.
This is what we did when we first got our mini to introduce him to the other horses with a round pen and stall built with panels. It actually worked out to be exactly 6′ X 8′. Then we moved him in with our regular sized horses in a regular 10 foot by 12 foot stall which he loved.
Now with Mares in the barn we had to build the smaller stall again while we look to build another stall. Then we will move him back to his own regular sized stall. If you can maybe butt it up to a wall or two so you have one or two sides of the stall already built then you only need to build two walls max with a gate.
How Tall Should The Horse Stall Be?
It should be 6 feet tall if you don’t want any issues or is a little wilder mini horse. We actually got away with 4 feet on the sheep panels we use for temporary, but we have one side against the wall and the back side is facing away from all the horses. We actually had to put a regular panel up after awhile with our new mares we have in since the little guy isn’t cut yet (will be soon after this writing).
So he was trying to jump over the panels since one of the mares went into heat which means the other one was soon to follow so had to do something to protect against himself. We would have already had him cut (2 years old) but he is currently a cryptorchid (one testicle). Hoping the mares being introduced causes other one to drop.
How Tall Should The Horse Stall Door Be?
The horse stall door should be around 6 feet just like the stall walls. The gap underneath I would have at no more then 1 1/2 to 2 feet so he doesn’t go underneath. Most horses won’t roll underneath but I have seen them actually crawl.
Can A Mini Horse Stall Be To Big?
This is a great question and this is a definite no from us. You are just going to have more work with bedding. The more room the more most horses will enjoy it and they can actually get a little more exercise in their stall. As long as they have room to turn around, lay down and get back up that is all that matters.
Stall Sizes For Minis
We love minis and try to make them as comfortable as possible. We wanted to get our readers information not only from us, but also from other miniature horse horses. So we went out to forums and gathered up some information to get it too you.
We curated this info from some horse forums and horse sub reddits. Some of the answers have been edited for grammar and writing style to make them more readable but the answers remain the same.
Real Owner Answers
1. Carolyn R “10X10” – When the entire barn was set up for the minis, I used the 54″x48″ stall hates with yokes. Openings were small enough to keep adult mini hoofs from ping through. I placed a 1×6 or 1×8 across the bottom to keep shavings from spilling into the aisle them mounted the gate so it was directly above the edge of the board. The foaling stalls had a heavy duty tarp laced around the bottom of the gate, see pic two. If you are wondering if the tarp portion has held up, well, it has been a few years now, and I redid the barn, enlarged two of the stalls for two big horses, raised the gates for them and the tarp is still in excellent condition, and holding up to a full size horse. If I didn’t have foals at the time, I would have no need for the tarp portion, it was a precaution to prevent any leg injuries.
Edited to add, my mini stalls in that barn were 10×10, when I sold out and rearranged the barn, I changed it around and now have 2-10×20 stalls for the big guys with an aisle entrance and a front sliding stall door entrance, , and 2- 10x10s with the aisle entrance for the two minis. My other small barn is now used for hay, feed, and changed the 2 10x10s into a workshop and tool shed for my hubby. But had two ten by ten stalls, one seven by twelve, and two six by twelves, the smaller stalls were for single minis at night, but I did not use them for foaling.
2. Wingnut “6X10” – We have two run-in sheds (both with tack rooms) for our “barns”. One stall is 12×12 and one is 12×10. My husband put in a center post (6×6 I think) in the opening then hung three long boards (1×8? 2×8?) to divide each stall. He built dutch doors on the 12×12 shed, with the lower door being approximately 34″ high. The other building is situated in such a way that wouldn’t allow us to do the same (doors that would be left open, allowing free access, would block pathways). I opted to buy 4′ gates like these: http://www.tractorsupply.com/galvanized-mesh-gate-4-ft–3602908. This has worked really well for us.
The stalls are 6×12 or 6×10, depending on the building. This gives each horse plenty of room to move around, do what they need do and even lie down with ease/comfort. We originally on had the 12×12 building and that first winter we had 3 blizzards (09/10). We would put two in each stall and they did fine for when they had to be stalled for extended times. During the worst of the storms, we’d close both top and bottom doors. It kept things really comfortable in there.
3. Rabbitsfizz “As big as you can” – I would go for the most size you possibly can- the bigger the better IMO. Even though I do have four six X six stalls I always have ended up using them as two six X twelve, even for the show horses, and they are internal stalls, with free access over the walls, so they seem much bigger. Because my stalls are all cut down BH stalls I have some pretty odd sizes, but I kept the foaling stall, which is roughly 15X 20 unsectioned as I do like a big stall for foaling. So- go for as much room as you can and I am sure what you end up with will be fine!
4. Misty’smom “10X12” – We built our barn this past summer for the arrival of our filly Misty. It is a 1 stall 10×12 with storage area for hay, feed, tack etc…. but we ended up getting Misty’s stablemate Josie too!! She is a little dwarf born 1 month before Misty. When they come in at night they share the stall and have plenty of room to move about and lay down. During the day they are out in the field area but can go in their stall side or under the roof if the weather is bad.
5. Rhondaalaska “8X12” – My husband built a 30 inch half door that goes to Divas 8×12 stall. I have a 4×8 area out side her stall where I can store hay. The door is just high enough that she can peek over it but can’t jump out .
6. MindyLee “Run Ins Outside Living” –
I own 7 minis.
Inside my barn I have 2 birthing stalls. (1 9×12 & 1 8×8)
HOWEVER, everyone lives outside in 4 sided lean-toos.
Both stallions have a 6×8 lean-too
1 mare pasture has a 6×8 lean-too
and main mare drylot has a 8×16 mini barn/run-in.
BUT my lean-toos more then less look like mini barns or glorafied dog houses.
All of them including the bigger one is movable by flatebed so NO permits needed to build them.
7. Miniv “12X12” – We really like having 12 x 12 stalls for many reasons….. Perfect for foaling and for a horse that has to be stuck inside because it’s injured or sick. We also have a couple of full sized and they are okay in them too……. Lowering the gate so your mini can see out is good……40 inches high sounds about right.
Can You Have Two Mini’s In One Stall?
Having two miniature horses in one stall will depend on how they get along. They get along great they will be just fine, if not then you will have issues. Horses are just like people they all have different attitudes.
I would first introduce in a pasture then work your way to the barn. If you have a 12X10 stall you can divide it up pretty easily as well. That is what is great with mini’s only needing around 6X8 stalls.
Final Thoughts
Overall you have many options you can go with. So go with what works best for your horses and you. If you need to only have a 6X8 stall that is fine if you can put them in a full size stall around the big boys then that is great as well.
If you live in an area where it doesn’t get very cold you can also have them outside in run ins. Be careful with the heat and maybe think about adding fans. Simple box fans make all the difference with making your horse comfortable in the heat.
If you have to have two mini’s together try it carefully it may or may not work. Some horses get along great right away others it may take some time to get them on the best of terms. You may need to paddock them off from eachother so they can feel each other out. Make sure they have plenty of room to get away from each other when you do finally get them together.
Height can be an issue depending on the temperament of the horse. Our mini was fine with the 4 foot panels until the mares came into heat and that is our fault because he hasn’t been fixed yet but soon will be.
