Colorado Horse Stall Doors

Posted on December 29, 2018 by blogeditor

The last piece of the puzzle when it comes to Colorado horse stalls is the type of door you should use in construction. For more information on Colorado horse stalls, check out our articles “Constructing A Colorado Horse Stall” and “How To Design A Colorado Horse Stall.” There are a plethora of door materials and configurations. The most common stall door types are swinging and sliding doors. Some doors cover the full length of the doorway while others are divided into two panels. Other doors partially cover half to three-quarters of the doorway, and other go all the way up. The type of door depends on your style. Work with your contractor in the kind of door that fits your style best.

Horse Stall Doors and Construction

Though the door style will differ from horse-owner to horse-owner, some things will be the same. First of all, the doors and doorjambs need to be durable. The average horse weighs upwards of a thousand pounds—not just any door will do to keep these animals inside their horse stall. You’ll need secure latches, and the door must be free of sharp edges or protrusions. Door guides on sliding doors should be rounded. Door latches should be operated with one hand. Keep door latches out of reach your horses, especially the escape artists.

Stall dividers should be at least two inches thick. Dividers are commonly composed of rough-cut oak or tongue-and-groove pine. Using anything softer than these wood types and you will be susceptible to kicking and chewing damage. Use pressure-treated lumber or plywood for the bottom boards. While boards may warp, plywood dissipates kicks and has a better strength-to-weight ratio. For information on horse properties for sale in Colorado, contact one of our horse-person realtors at Colorado Horse Property today.

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Constructing A Colorado Horse Stall

Posted on December 27, 2018 by blogeditor

When it comes to constructing a horse stall in Colorado, lighting and air flow two of the most important things to get right. For more information on Colorado horse stalls, check out our articles on “Planning Your Colorado Horse Stall” and “How To Design A Colorado Horse Stall.” Proper lighting in your horse stall is essential for observing your horses any time of the day or night. Also, cleaning your horse stall because exponentially more difficult with poor lighting. Though natural lighting is a good option, you should keep any glass out of your horse’s reach for their safety. Glass windows should be either out of reach, above seven feet, or protected by sturdy bars or mesh. Plexiglas is a good option for window glazing.

Besides using the standard glass window, another lighting option for horse stalls is using a light fixture. If you place your lighting fixtures along the front or side walls, you are more likely to decrease shadows. One fixture above the center will always create shadows. This occurs as the horse comes to the front of the stall for observation. Similar to the placement of windows, you should place your fixtures at least seven feet high to minimize contact with the horse. You can also consider putting a shatterproof cage around the light bulb. Shatterproof cages are generally available at most lighting supply stores. Now that you have decided on the lighting for your stall, now it is time to think about air flow.

Fresh air promotes good respiratory health for every horse that you have constructed a stall for. A window, which opens for each booth, eave and ridge vents, and no ceiling (or at least a high ceiling), will enhance fresh air exchange. Many older stalls, typically found in restored barns, have hay storage above the stalls. Storing hay and bedding over the top of the stalls is not a good idea in respect to air flow. These items can also carry allergens that could harm your horse’s respiratory system. For more information on horse stalls or finding horse stalls for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today.

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How To Design A Colorado Horse Stall

Posted on December 21, 2018 by blogeditor

The Colorado horse stall is the most basic unit of a horse stable. When designing your Colorado horse stall, safety for you and your horses should be your primary concern. After safety, comfort for your horse and convenience for you are the next priorities. If you keep these things in mind when planning and constructing your horse stall, then you’ll have nothing to lose. If you are using a contractor, then make sure to speak with them every step of the process. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property today. The first two things you’ll need to consider when constructing your horse stall is the size and the walls.

The size of your horse and the amount of time your horse spends in the stall will determine the size of your stall. Larger horses require more square footage than smaller horses. Your horse will need space to turn around, lie down, and get up comfortably. A 12-foot by 12-foot stall is the standard recommendation for a 1,000-pound horse. Though you can go smaller than this, walls less than 10-feet in length are not recommended. The stall’s wall length is one-and-a-half times the horse’s length. Consider a larger stall size if the horse spends more time in the stall. You’ll also need to account for more space if your hose is more active than others.

Though this is used often, stall walls do not have to be completely enclosed. An open panel design at the top allows for better ventilation. You will also be able to observe your horse better this way. An open panel partition has solid materials along the bottom 48 to 60 inches, with an open panel on top. Bars of three-quarters to one-inch diameter pipe, or equivalent, are standard. Place bars no more than three inches apart or uses a heavy-gauge wire mesh with approximately two-inch openings. Follow this link for more on Planning Your Colorado Horse Stall.

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Planning Your Colorado Horse Stall

Posted on December 19, 2018 by blogeditor

There are many things to consider when in the early stages of planning to build your first Colorado horse stall. What type of things will you need to be stored within hands reach of the stall? Hay racks, hay bags, and hay nets? If so, these items should be stored near at chest height. If they are stored too low, your horse may become tangled. Planning these things out in advance will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. You should also think about how your horse feeds and what type of floor to use.

What type of feeding method do you use with your horse and how can that affect the way your horse stall should be constructed? A hay rack or net will require different specifications than using a hay manger. Many horse owners use mangers because they let the horse eat in a more natural position. Mangers are also less prone to trap the horse and reduce dust fall. Similar to racks or nets, mangers start flush with the floor and ends above horse chest height. Dust can accumulate in the bottom of the manger so you’ll need to make sure there is enough room in your Colorado horse stall for a person to remove the debris manually.

What will you use on the floor of your stall? Horses have their heads close to the ground for most of the day. Most horse owners use an odorless material on the floor and is also non-absorbant. Not all floorings are the same. Dirt is pliable, but concrete is more stable. The stiffness of concrete can be overcome by using rubber mats or deep bedding. Sufficient bedding helps prevent sores or abrasions. Avoid flooring that can be slippery when wet. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property today.

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Horse Property Loans

Posted on December 13, 2018 by blogeditor

Colorado Horse Property Loan Limits

We are here to tell you that there have been some changes to the loan limits on Colorado horse property loans. These changes could really benefit you. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (or FHFA) announced the maximum conforming loan limits. These limits are for mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2019. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy mortgages from lenders. They either hold these mortgages in their portfolios or package the loans into mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that may be sold. Lenders use the cash raised by selling mortgages to the Enterprises to engage in further lending.

In most of the U.S., the 2019 maximum conforming limit for horse property loans will be over $484,000. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) requires that the baseline conforming loan limit be adjusted each year for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is to mirror the difference in the average U.S. home price. According to FHFA’s seasonally adjusted, expanded-data HPI, house prices increased by nearly 7%, between the third quarters of 2017 and 2018. The baseline maximum conforming loan limit in 2019 will increase by the same percentage.

Therefore, areas in which 115% of the local median home value exceeds the baseline conforming loan limit, the maximum loan limit will be higher than the baseline loan limit. Median home values generally increased in high-cost areas in 2018, driving up the maximum loan limits in many areas. So, the new ceiling loan limit for one-unit properties in most high-cost areas will be $726,525—or 150 percent of $484,350. For more information on how this can benefit you, contact at horse-person realtor today at Colorado Horse Property. For more details Colorado horse property loan, check out our Real Estate Resources page.

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Preparing For A Horse Emergency

Posted on December 12, 2018 by blogeditor

Emergency Planning

No one wants to think about what would happen during a natural disaster. And yet being prepared for the worst is something that every Colorado horse property owner should be doing. If you are a Colorado horse owner, make sure to have a contingency plan in place for your home first. Then prepare a plan for your horses. Your horses are very important, but you have to have your own home in order first. Here is a list (provided by the Red Cross) of items that you should have available in case of a horse emergency.

- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Crank or battery-operated flashlight and radio
- Extra batteries
- Extra keys for house and vehicles
- First aid kit
- Cash in small bills
- Personal hygiene items
- Important family documents
- A copy of your Home Emergency Plan

Horse Emergency

After you have taken care of your own needs, now it’s time to prepare your animals. All of your horses should have a halter and lead rope near their stall. Think about adding extra halters and lead ropes in multiple locations in your stables. Other things that you can do is store extra feed buckets, bedding, pitchforks, shovels, and wheelbarrows. You don’t want to clutter your barn, but having these extra items could come in handy in an emergency. Consider bringing the following:

- Horse ID papers
- Horse insurance papers
- Photographs of your horse with your and your vet’s information
- Luggage tags with the same information
- Spray paint or etch the hooves
- Auction crayons for tagging

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How To Breathe When Colorado Horseback Riding

Posted on December 7, 2018 by blogeditor

Colorado Horseback Riding

Colorado Horse Property would like to expand on our previous article “Effective Breathing When Horseback Riding.” Stress is the worst thing a rider can experience while Colorado horseback riding. Nerves and anxiety can sap a rider and their horse of energy. If you reset your breathing, a few beautiful things will happen. First of all, you will replenish your oxygen stores. Eventually, your mind will become less clouded, and you will be able to make better decisions. When you regain your confidence in the saddle, your riding potential will skyrocket.

The communication between you and your horse comes through your physical connection. If your body becomes impacted by stress, your horse will pick up on that emotion immediately. The more confidence you have while Colorado horseback riding, the more confident your horse will be as well. Learning to breathe correctly is the best tool for regulating stress in the saddle. Effective breathing can reverse the fight-or-flight response, and relax your body. The exact same can be said of your horse. With you and your horse back in control, you can both focus on what’s important.

Stress is known to riddle the mind with unnecessary doubt. That voice in your head, when infested with anxiety, will turn on you quickly. Instead of focusing on what is important, you will worry about everything excessively. When you reset your breath and replenish the oxygen to your brain, it will be easier to think more clearly and purposefully. You will be able to direct your thoughts back to your riding and your goals. This will give you a greater sense of control, which in turn will lead to greater feelings of confidence for you and your horse. For more information, contact a horse-person realtor at Colorado Horse Property.

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Effective Breathing When Horseback Riding

Posted on December 7, 2018 by blogeditor

Horseback Riding and Breathing

Breathing is an essential aspect of horseback riding that often gets overlooked. Click the link for trail riding tips and tips on how to saddle a horse; things to know before you get to this stage. After these steps, practice breathing at home before getting into the saddle. First, practice dropping your breathing low. Inhale deeply and then exhale. Your shoulders and chest will drop as you exhale. You are now ready to try while horseback riding.

While on horseback, drop your breathing low. You will feel a better connection with your horse as your body relaxes. With each breath, this connection will become stronger. You can do this exercise at a halt or a slow walk. There are many signs that the activity is helping your horse. Your horse will lower their neck, blow out their nostrils, and the ears will relax. This is known as connecting breathing. This technique is a great tool to add to your routine. When this technique is followed correctly, you and your horse will be starting from a calming place.

Take the time to build up your confidence. Practice makes perfect! Eventually, you will be able to influence your body when you need to the most. Now that you have gained your confidence with the connecting breath, you are ready for the breath reboot. First, slowly inhale and count to six. In turn, slowly exhale for a count of eight. Repeat two to four times. This technique will help you refocus while horseback riding. Use it at a show when you begin to feel nervous. You will quickly see those nerves fly out the window! For more information contact a horse-person realtor at Colorado Horse Property.

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How To Build An Indoor Colorado Riding Arena

Posted on December 5, 2018 by blogeditor

Building An Indoor Colorado Riding Arena

Expanding on our article on “Building A Horse Riding Arena In Colorado” there is so much to be said on the topic of indoor Colorado riding arena. Other key facts that should be considered when constructing an indoor arena are ventilation and the base. Ventilation comes through strategically placed openings that encourage the flow of air. Also, without adequate ventilation, you can get condensation on the roof that will drip down. Mechanical ventilation systems occur more often in heated (insulated) buildings and larger commercial projects. Therefore, make sure to discuss ventilation with your contractor. Go over your options to find the best method for you.

The base is the foundation on your riding arena and a vital component of the structure. That base should consist of four inches of compacted limestone screenings over top of a clean engineerable fill. This fill could be clay, sand, or an aggregate mix that does not contain any organic matter. The footing itself can range from a locally sourced sand to a sand and fiber mix. Add a permanent dust-free coating to either of these footings. A decent footing gives stability, traction, and shock absorption for your horses. Also, depending on what kind of horses you’ll be training, your footing may need to be different.

Different sands have different qualities. A sand mixture uses grains of different sizes. Hard, washed, medium-course sands, are preferred. You will also want sand with a high angular content. Other sands break down quickly creating dust and offer little traction. These sands to not make good riding arena surfaces. Deciphering the elements of quality sand and sourcing the material can be difficult. Consult with your contractor on footing when selecting your material. Click the link for more information on arena builders in Colorado.

Building A Horse Riding Arena In Colorado

Posted on November 29, 2018 by blogeditor

Building an Indoor Riding Arena

We already know that it is crucial to ride your horse even during the offseason. This is a great way to keep a strong bond with your horse. For information on bonding with your horse, read “How To Bond With Your Horse” and “5 Ways To Bond With Your Horse“. In Colorado, this can be tricky because of the cold weather. That is just one of the reasons why you should have an indoor riding arena. There are many types of indoor riding arenas, like steel frame arenas and wood post frame arenas.

Steel frame arenas have a fabric roof made from polyethylene. Varying riding arena manufacturers offer different designs and foundation options. For a list of Colorado arena builders, go to our Local Resources page. Wood post frame buildings provide more flexibility when it comes to design. They also can have doors and adjoining buildings along the length of the building. Just like a house, windows and doors will affect the amount of natural light. Also, wood post frame buildings gives you the option of insulating the roof and walls. Picking the type of arena you want is critical, so make sure to talk to the manufacturer about your needs. They can help you decide based on those needs!

While in some states in America, it may be possible to bypass the permit process for the personal use of farm buildings, this is generally not the case in Colorado. But don’t be fooled. This is all for your safety. Having drawings from a licensed engineer ensures that your indoor riding arena meets the local building code. You will want to be protected against building collapse or deterioration that could put you and your beloved horses at risk. Furthermore, if you want your building insured, engineer-stamped plans and a building permit are typically a must.

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