36 Stall Mats, 20 Corral Panels, 1 Volunteer

One of our fabulous volunteers, Laura W. from Helena, came out today to give us a hand.  The weather was cold and drizzly.  I had the perfect project for a day like this:  setting up the stalls in Beauty's Barn. 

Murdoch's, a farm and ranch supply outfit in Helena, last week had delivered $5,900 worth of corral panels and stall mats.  Most of the corral panels would be used for the corrals we need to set up outside the barn, while the rest were for the interior stalls.

Alayne took care of all the usual Saturday chores so Laura and I could set to work.  First we had to grade the gravel bed for each stall so the mats would lay completely flat.  Then we lifted each stall mat, one by one, and moved it into position.  This is harder than it sounds, with each mat measuring 6 feet x 4 feet and weighing 96 lbs.  Awkward to say the least!   We laid 36 mats down, edge to edge, on both sides of the barn.

Next we set up the corral panels to form the stalls.  We use Priefert's utility horse panels, which are lightweight and have smooth, rounded edges.  It took a total of 20 panels to create the six horse stalls.  Four stalls on the east side, two on the west side.

We started about 10 a.m., took a quick lunch break, and by 2 p.m. we were finished.  The photo shows Laura standing at the south door of the barn, with our handiwork behind her.  Towards the other end on the left side you can see where the medical stall and medical room are.

Thanks, Laura!

(Click on photo for larger image.)

Comments

[Karen SA/TX]

Very nice, and in time for winter.