Lumber for Horse Stalls?

[BFET529]

I've got a pole barn going up and should be completed by mid week next week... We have horses, and decided to add a couple stalls. I've sunk the posts necessary for my stalls already, and just need to decide which type of wood would be best for the job, yet the most cost effective. Anyone have ideas? I plan to use pressure treated 2x for the bottom 2 feet. I just don't think that the builder grade 2x untreated stuff from home depot or lowes is going to cut it as far as strength though. I've got it all priced out for 2x6 as well as 2x8 from lowes... I've also got ahold of a local saw mill that is quite a bit cheaper for rough sawn 1x8 (full 1 inch x 8 inch) hardwood, but it hasn't been dried. I really would rather the hardwood, and rough sawn is fine... Just don't want 1/2 inch gaps between all my boards once it dries. Any Suggestions as to what kind, or where to look for lumber. lengths will be 8 foot, 10 foot, and 12 foot. I would prefer 8 inch roughsawn, already dried...

Thanks for all the help!

 

[bucktaker]

you dont mention the size of your stalls or the span between posts. I recommend 2x8 true rough sawn lumber with posts either 8 foot on center or at least in the middle.
I have both 2x8 and 1x8 b oards in my stalls and i will be replacing the 1 by with 2 by later this year as well as adding the posts in the middel of the stall wall. live and learn.
I have horse friend who lives near fowlerville he rides gaited horses

 

[BFET529]

sorry... Stalls are 12 wide by 10 deep, with 4 foor doors. I sunk my posts so there will be support every 6 feet on the 12 foot wall and 5 feet on the 10 foot wall. Only wall without the center support will be the front wall which is only 8 foot due to the door. After a little searching around, I can't believe how much they want for dried rough sawn boards... wish I could buy from the sawmill and not have to worry about shrinking! I don't have any problem buying regular 2x from a lumber yard or lowes, but am afraid it won't hold up. What do you think? My horses in all reality probably won't ever even think about kicking... that would take to much energy! Also, I am going up 7'6"-8 foot, so the likelyhood of them chewing is low as well...

 

[BeezFun]

I plan to use pressure treated 2x for the bottom 2 feet.
Thanks for all the help!

Pressure treated wood has so many toxic chemicals in it, I wouldn't use it anywhere they can get at it. Maybe the grade board that's in ground contact, but even that isn't necessary. Rough sawn lumber lasts a long time in a barn when it touches the ground, so there's really no reason for PT in my opinion. If the bottom piece rots in 20 years, it's not that hard to replace.

 

[WM75Guy]

Our Morton stables has pressure treated 2"X8" tongue and groove at the bottom and untreated 2X8 tongue and groove above to 8' . Stalls are 12'X12' with corner posts and metal supports on the walls. We have had no problems with our warmbloods kicking a wall.

 

[bigballer]

i used 2x6 TG mainly because together the boards form a nice solid wall without the need for vertical supports midway through the length of the wall.

btw, nice barn Randy...

 

[ustmd]

We have 4 warm bloods and have used 2 x 8 standard lumber as well as 3/4" ply for the sides of the stalls. They have held up great with no problems.

 

[BFET529]

Thank you everyone for your help! I am leaning towards using 2x6 or 2x8 standard lumber now... with treated along the bottom. With the support posts, I think that they will be more than sturdy! With the posts already done, I am anxious to tack some boards around them and see thet finished product!

 

[rasimmo]

I used rough cut pine for my stalls. I bought it and had it under the barn for a few weeks before it was hung. It did not shrink much after that time spent in a stack. A few of the boards twisted a little, but not bad. Just another thought.

They were 2x8s

 

[tow653]

If you have table saw,tongue and groove the saw mill rough cut.