goneriding wrote:TeresaA wrote:The reason is that I have it worked out well with my two. They can run in and out of their stalls and share a field with no drama.
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How do you keep them from squabbling in the tight confines of a stall if they have free access in and out?
I only have two as well, in a great routine, really good bond between the two horses. They are out 24/7 except for meals and real bad weather. I don't have to lead them, pretty much ever. I whistle, they come, and they know the stalling routine.
When we gutted and re-org-ed the layout of The Little Red Barn (it was already a modified shedrow that we are modifying further) we set up two stalls, perpendicular to each other. One is a 12x24' space and we put in two doors so it can be converted to two stalls one day if I get my donkeys. The doors stay tied open. And we made the door opening 5' wide. DH built out everything, so we could build whatever size doors we wanted. We also have a covered porch area in front of the stalls. And he built an extension onto the end of the barn so they also have a 20x26' covered area. We keep the 2nd door shut at all times as it has only 1 way in/out, even though it is a big stall as well.
I have been at a place where they left all three single shedrow stall doors open for two horses...one horse was mine the other horse changed a few times...and all was fine. But my guy is herd leader, always, and he is consistent, clear and kind about it. Horses accept that easily. And there were times a Pony would cozy up to him for shelter, no issues, but the horse sized buddies over the years didn't do that in a single stall. In a big run in, no problem. I'd be more nervous if the dynamics weren't so clear.