We are preparing to build tie stalls in our barn. Hubby is considering swinging dividers between the stalls. We came across several during our research, but the only ones we've seen in person are permanent and solid. Has anyone tried the lighter, swinging/movable dividers, and/or is their a downside?

I use swinging dividers in my tie stalls. I use a pole with an snap and eye bolt on the manger end and an eye bolt on the hallway end suspended by a chain. I used this for 11 years and like it. If I take out a single I leave the pole in place, if I take out a team I drop the hallway end and double the chain up out of reach so that it doesn't catch on the hames. The only issue I've had with this system, and the stock usually sorts it out for itself, is if one of the animals is buddy sour, they end up with the pole up over their back, or they work it down and they straddle it. What ever they do, I let them sort it out and I believe it makes them better around a tongue or shafts. They learn to respect the pole and not to dance all over the place. I also like that if I need more room saddling or harnessing, I can bump the pole out of the way with my butt while through up the saddle or harness. I use cut poles off the farm, thinking I could replace them as needed, but they've lasted well so far. If I ever need to make a tie stall into a box stall, I can remove the pole, tie up the chain and put a corral panel across the front and I've got an instant box stall. With a fixed partition I couldn't do that.

This is exactly what I hoped to hear! Thanks! Our barn is small and not designed for tie stalls. The best way to arrange them results in a main support beam located a few feet behind, and dead center of the center tie stall. The swinging stall sides will still allow us to use it and get the horse in and out easily enough. It's less than ideal, but so far, not much on our farm is ideal. Maybe one day, we can build from the ground up, but for now we make do with the structures already here, and enjoy what we have!

I use a swinging hip bar like Jerry describes. I find them to provide me all the same benefits he enjoys. Love this system. I do have butt chains at the ends of the tie stalls, which helps to stabilize the swinging hip bar. Another benefit is that a horse can't get cast in a tie stall. A swinging hip bar partition can be easily moved or removed in a pinch. Leaves your space more flexible.

Danielle,

Many people use a 4" to 6" pole that is 10' long and just fasten it at the manger and let it set on the floor at the out end. Jerry's method has the advantage of coming back to center when one pushes it to the side (on the floor stays out of position)

I built my tie stalls with solid divides, and now that I harness now and then, it would be nice to have built one double tie stall.

Neal

For many years I had swinging dividers and they worked just fine. Jerry Hicks makes good points about them.

Interesting. Any pictures?

I want my tie stalls 9 feet wide.

Jerry is right on target.

From what I have read before your team is big. I would go like Dale, 9 feet and forget the pole as long as they get along. You have a chance of getting hurt if they move fast and you still have that pole dropped down. Stall manners are made day after day. Dad's old barn had 8 foot stalls. Up to 1600 pound horses were in them. I have started 2 teams in that old barn at about 7 feet of stall, they knew each other. If they ever try to crush you, carry a piece of wood the width of your body and let them push against themselves. If as colts they were started that way a 1600 pound team can easily be harnessed in a 7 foot stall. I never had to use the wood!!

If you'd like, I can email you some photos of tie stalls. Some of them are purpose-built and some are retro-fitted into variously sized/shaped spaces. Might give you some ideas on how to use your space.

That would be great! Send to mptclinics (at) hotmail (dot) com. Thanks in advance!

Did you get em? I have a Hotmail address also and sometimes spam filters send me straight to the trash bin. I wouldn't think that Hotmail would be prejudiced against itself but you never know.