Since our barn has 2 large tie stalls, that is what I have to work with. I've heard lots of negative comments on tie stalls. The stalls are 6 x 8, with mangers built in the front. There are also gates on the ends, to totally close them up. Since there will only be pony size equines (Haflingers, draft ponies or mules) in my barn, are these type of stalls adequate? The horses would only be in when they had to be, like ice, or illness. Our cow can lie down & turn sideways in these stalls, they're plenty big for her! There isn't room for box stalls. Barn is 26x18, with hay mow in back.

The stalls sound big enough to not tie them in it, assuming they are smaller horses.

You will hear negative comments from those who don't know better. Double tie stalls are the best there is. If you don't believe, try putting a bronc in a single stall and walking by him. Box stalls are for those whose budget is enormous - both monetary and labor wise. Isn't all that much fun being in a box stall with a cranky one, either.

Rosie
Tie stalls are not a problem for stock. We always had our stock in tie stalls overnight. It will teach them patience and will teach them to stand tied whenever needed. The six feet is about average for a standard riding horse. Could be tight for a large work type horse, but definitely ok for large pony or most light mules. We never shut them in from behind, but do be careful about the length of the lead rope. Should be able to lie down with their head on their shoulder and no more. Had a couple of kickers and the old man put a swinging log on the sides so it would hit them when they kicked. Seemed to cure them in a couple of weeks.

I was a die-hard box stall person until I started farming with draft horses. Now it's nothing but tie stalls for all my horses. It's a more efficient use of space. I use a double tie stall. 5' x 10' for each horse with a swinging pole between. I don't care for the solid wall partition. If a horse steps over while I'm in the stall, the swinging pole gives me a place to go.

If horses are out during the day, and especially if they're working, tie stalls work if that's what you have. I like to leave the back open, give them a long enough lead to lay down and don't keep them in longer than overnight. I do put straw or shavings down if it's for overnight. But I would recommend the use of a box stall for sick or injured horses. You use what you have and try to make the best of it. I prefer to leave them out, really, but there are reasons you can't.

Buddy of mine put his young quarter horse in box stall. Had a pipe gate on one end. Laid down, rolled or something got her leg caught between pipes and broke her leg. Had to put her down.

Kenny Russell of Horse Farming School fame has a whole lecture on the virtues of tie stalls over box stalls.

Tie stalls are great, as the forementioned say. Another plus, for me, is that I feed from behind. That is, I have to go in behind and move them aside to and fro sometime, to toss the hay in, and groom. It takes more work than front feeding, but every time you walk by, or in, it is a teaching and trusting lesson. You spend just that much more time WITH your horses. It is a good handling and gentler each time.

Tie stalls are new to me, but they sound very interesting and functional, especially for my drafts. Does anyone have a pointer to a diagram or picture so I can better visualize a tie stall?

Thanks, wd

It is just a feed bunk fixed solid that you tie to. Most are 9 or 10 wide. In a lot of pole buildings, they are 12 wide just because that divides best for the length. Many have a grain box on each end with a shield so the horse in the next stall can't steal grain.
Usually the harness that is being used every day is hung on hooks directly behind the horses. There is, most times, enough width behind the stalls to drive a team, making it faster to harness and hook up.
Some stalls have only a pole running from top of bunk back between the teams and the outside end is free to swing, making it easier to clean out with a front end loader.

I am in agreement with many of the comments made regarding tie stalls posted here. I have often said that a horse kept in a tie stall is learning patience and developing tolerance while there. As mentioned above, tie stalls conserve space and save on labor when it comes mucking time. Many of the posts here refer to double tie stalls and I'm sure there are many who fully understand that terminology, but I'm sure there are those who may be confused. A tie stall that is 9 to 10 feet wide would accommodate two horses with a pole or divider of some kind between them. A single tie stall for one horse would likely be 4.5 to 5 feet wide by what ever length the horse requires. Lynn Miller's Workhorse Handbook has excellent representations of tie stalls in it.

Single tie stalls aren't worth having. Use only doubles so you don't get hurt. Doubles don't need anything between the two horses.
Single stalls can really be fun if a horse gets cast. You have to chop/saw the dividing wall out to get them up most times. If you insist on single stalls, make the dividers only about 4 foot long.

We have tried both box and tie stalls. My first tie stalls were 6 feet wide; this was too wide and the horses are able to turn around. After finding some old barn plans at the USDA web site, we built the tie stalls 5 feet wide and 7 feet long. This has proved to be just right for our Percherons. We have a feed aisle in front so we can fill the manger without going by the horse. There is a butt rope at the back of the stall, so we don't have to leave a halter on. This setup makes clean up much easier. Most horses will back up to do their business (not so good for geldings). We left the floor in dirt; they will paw and dig some holes, which we fill with a scoop of dirt on the Bobcat. The horses love the tie stalls!

I am kind of leery of the double stalls. I have hauled two horses in a livestock trailer side by side, when the older mare decided she just didn't like the little filly so much and proceded to wale on her. I wouldn't want the same situation in a double tie stall.

I stay away from box stalls if I can. Hard to carry harness in. You can't lead two horses out at once, so that means too many trips if you drive more than one team and too much time lost tying and retying horses so you can group them together, plus a host of other things. If you have the room, a single tie stall between two double stalls can be real handy, if you have a horse to work on. Hauling horses and stabling horses are two different worlds. It's really rare that two in a stall fight for room for more than a minute or two the first time, but it's rare.

I'm actually looking for some diagrams or plans for a tie stall. About 4 in a row that are 5 or so x 8. I've used them before and think that this will suit my purpose most. i've never heard of the "pole devider" before though. That sounds interesting. Does anyone know where I can find actual blue prints or a diagram for this?

A pole divider is just a pole that lays one end on the top of the feed bunk and the other end lays on the ground behind the horse. Usually about 12 feet long.