Most of this is from another stall post but same idea.
Our normal stall size for years was 10x10 or 11x11 for miniatures and horses alike. However that said we have recently been extremely limited with space in the new barn and have had to divide one 11x11 stall. This new layout works great and I feel that the horses are more comfortable now with this layout. I defiantly plan to divide more stalls in the future as they still have lots of room to move, roll and lie down. Most mini farms actually have smaller stalls and it works out well. I was supprised by the number of farms with "small" stalls and I no longer think something as small as 5x5 is even too small some horses. And this coming from someone who was proud of her 10x10 stalls. Heck, most shows are 10x10 but some that I have been to are 5x10 or 6x6 - both which my horses had to adjust to.
I have had a horse gelded in his stall in the past and I do not think divided stalls would work for this, however I know that I'll always have a 10x10 stall for foaling or vet usage if need be, as we have large horses too.
I would think in a perfect world, 6x6 (or 8x8 if needed) stalls would be perfect for miniatures, but from what I've seen the normal in general is either much smaller or much bigger. Miniature seem to adjust accordingly and I think almost any size will work. I just want to add that a 10x10 stall for a 16hh horse seems small, but it is the "norm" for hundreds of farms. If miniatures are 1/4 to 1/2 the size their big horse counterparts, logically why wouldn't 5x5 work? Big stall are awesome, but I have to admit, I think we spoil them a bit... But it's hard not to!
Here is my "stall" for my three. I only have the three right now(
), so this ended up working well for them. There are three stalls in this 11x11 horse stall. The sizes are two 6.5x5.5 and one 11x4.5. It is a little tight, but in my situation we were desperate at the time. In the future I plan to cut a stall down the middle making in 10x5 or 11x12, but I wouldn't hesitate to make stalls like this again. I love these stalls. Each stall has a hay and water bucket and a spot for a hay net too. Each stall has a thick rubber mat on top, which is leveled over gravel, on dirt, on cement(way down), making for a supportive, soft footing. Each mini can and does lie down, turn around and move just the same as a "large horse in a large stall". They can also look out and talk to their buddies; the stalls are high enough that there is no reaching over to bite or bug though, if that were an issue. My minis are 33", 34" and 35" and this works for them. I expect the young one to grow to be 37" and I have another 36-37" mare(who is not at home for the next year), and with those two larger minis, I would likely go with the 'two mini stalls' in the one large one. I think it just depends on the size of the horse and their disposition. My guys get lots of time out side, and are inside at night or during poor weather. They love to get out and play but are just as happy at night to come inside to their beds. Each knows their own stall - which I find neat.
Stall doors open:
Stall doors closed:
(The white fencing is to allow our two mares to see one another but not really touch. They aren't the best of buds and that keeps the peace at feeding times. The other stall doesn't require the fencing as they are used to sharing a stall.)
Looking into one of the back stalls:
Looking out from inside of a back stall:
Best of luck!
