Expert Dick Risk

Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

We are building new box stalls of kiln-dried pine and would like advice on whether or not to stain and/or varnish the interior for preservation of the wood. The lower boards are green treated.

I would like to build an indoor arena, 150x220 ft. I have been told post and beam is less expensive. What do you think?

I own a construction company and I am facing the retrofit construction of a stable facility and there is interest in the possibility of using a concrete floor covered with a polyurethane floor covering similar to the ones used in sprayed applied truck liners. Can you tell me if there is information available on the past performance of this type of coating as a stable floor and on transportation trailers? Do you foresee any possible harm to the animals as a result of the use of this kind of technology on the stable floors?

I am converting a dairy barn into a horse barn. Is it safe for me to leave the outside walls of the stalls cement and stone?

Questions and Answers

Q: I would like to build an indoor arena, 150x220 ft. I have been told post and beam is less expensive. What do you think?

A: The least expensive would be a pre-engineered metal building.

Q: I own a construction company and I am facing the retrofit construction of a stable facility and there is interest in the possibility of using a concrete floor covered with a polyurethane floor covering similar to the ones used in sprayed applied truck liners. Can you tell me if there is information available on the past performance of this type of coating as a stable floor and on transportation trailers? Do you foresee any possible harm to the animals as a result of the use of this kind of technology on the stable floors?

A: I am familiar with the product as used in truck liners. Although I cannot say how harmful it could be, it certainly would not hold up under horses' hooves on an everyday basis. I would recommend using rubber brick tiles or rubber matting. You may purchase rubber brick through: Dodge Regupol, Inc., P. O. Box 989, Lancaster, PA 17603, Ph: 717-295-3400.  They are the manufacturer, you may need to purchase through a distributor.  Rubber Matting: Linear Rubber Products, Inc., 5525 19th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140, Ph: 1-800-558-4040.

Q: I am converting a dairy barn into a horse barn. Is it safe for me to leave the outside walls of the stalls cement and stone?

A: There should be nothing wrong with cement and stone walls, but it would be good to have a contractor look at it to be sure.

Q: We are building new box stalls of kiln-dried pine and would like advice on whether or not to stain and/or varnish the interior for preservation of the wood. The lower boards are green treated.

A: You definitely want to put something on the wood to preserve it plus it makes it easier to clean. Also, if you are putting in permanent water bowls, you may want to put some kind of rubber mat behind it because it will always be wet there and will soon destroy the wood.