What's The Best Stall Size For A Pony?

Your pony probably spends a good portion of the night in his stall, so it’s important to design a stall that fits him well. You can create pony stalls in many different sizes, but the best option for your barn will depend on the size of your pony.

Dimensions of Pony Stalls

When deciding the stall size that’s right for your pony, you need to consider your pony’s breed and size. A stall for a Shetland can be significantly smaller than a stall for a Welsh Pony, a Connemara, a Quarter Pony, or a Pony of the Americas.

If you have a Shetland, you can get away with an 8x8 foot stall. A Connemara, which may be 14 hands high, will need a more spacious 10x10 or 10x12 foot stall.

There are plenty of variations on standard pony-sized stalls. Bigger is always better, so if you have the option to create a 10x14, 10x16, 10x18, or even a 10x20 stall, it might be an ideal situation for a larger pony or for a run-in for multiple smaller ponies.

Larger stalls decrease the chance of your pony getting cast, a situation which could result in injuries to the pony and to handlers. The extra space also encourages a pony to lie down, ensuring they get the quality rest they need.

Tips for Designing Pony Stalls

As you plan out your barn, consider not only the size of the ponies that you have now, but also the size of the ponies that you are likely to have in the future. It’s always better to build larger stalls than you currently need, which will allow you to buy a larger breed pony without having to renovate your barn.

Some barn owners choose to create standard 10x10 or 12x12 foot stalls, but they ensure that the partitions between the stalls are easily removable. If you need a larger stall, you can easily create one by removing the partition, which gives your barn more versatility.



Don’t forget to consider how you plan to use your barn, too. For example, if you will be breeding ponies, then a 12x24 stall is ideal for foaling.

When it comes to building your stalls, consider your pony’s height. A small pony like a Shetland will benefit from either a grate door or a shorter door that allows the pony to see out into the barn.

It’s also important to ensure that your ceilings are high enough to prevent the ponies from hitting their heads. This isn’t so much of a concern with smaller breeds, but ponies nearing 14 hands will need a higher ceiling to help ensure their safety.

Focusing on Your Stall Flooring

Your barn’s flooring also plays an important role in your stall design. Many barn owners opt for a dirt or compacted stone dust floor, while some prefer concrete floors for their extra durability.

No matter what type of floor you choose, you can make your stalls more comfortable and safer for your ponies by using stall mats. Stall mats made of durable rubber are strong and add a bit of shock absorption, which is a major benefit when you have a concrete floor.



Stall mats create a smooth, flat floor that your ponies can’t dig down into. The mats make it easier and faster to clean stalls, and that can save you and your staff valuable time.

Since stall mats prevent your bedding from being ground down into the subfloor, your bedding stays cleaner and you can minimize your bedding bills. The mats also provide traction and offer extra comfort, which can encourage your pony to lie down more.

Choosing one of our horse stall mat kits can simplify the process of installing mats. These kits feature mats that are pre-sized to fit the dimensions of your stalls, so there’s no need to worry about cutting the mats to fit.

Our mat kits come in standard sizes, including 10x10 foot and 10x20 foot dimensions. You can even order kits that are custom designed to fit your stalls’ unique dimensions.

The mats in these kits measure ¾ inch thick, making them strong and durable enough to withstand permanent installation in horse and pony stalls. They feature a non-slip pebble surface to maximize safety for horses and handlers, and the mats are made in the USA.



These high-density mats are antimicrobial and anti-fungal, which helps to keep the stall more sanitary. They are backed by a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, making them a long-term investment for your barn.

The mats feature an interlocking design that creates a strong connection, preventing the mats from pulling apart during use and keeping bedding from working its way down between the mats. They are easy to install and their pre-cut components can save you valuable time, allowing you to finish your barn sooner so you can move your horses in.