We are in the process of building a shedrow barn and I’m curious what all of you with dutch doors use for latches. I’m looking for something safe that they cannot catch themselves on.
Look for something they can’t learn to open as well.
I have known a few horses who would let themselves, and the others, out at night.
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I have spring-action latches on my stalls – they automatically retract so there’s nothign protruding into the doorway.
http://www.rammfence.com/barn/classic-crafted-door-hardware/spring-latch-12-x-6-zinc-plated
Any latch you put on is only as strong as what you mount it to and what you mount it with.
If you use too short or too small diameter “screws”, the horse can easily push the hardware right off. I generally use the largest diameter LAG screw (requires a ratchet to install) that will fit in the hole, and use a length that goes DEEP into to post. (You can also use TimberLok screws if you have them available - self tapping, heavy gauge, and can be installed with a drill vs. a ratchet)
Pay close attention to what you are screwing into, also. Lots of barns are built with a “decorative” 2x4 or 2x6 face board mounted on the 4x4 or 6x6 post between the stalls… Many times, that face board is only held on with a few nails. If you only mount your hardware to that board, i.e. using 2" or shorter screws, your horse can and likely will eventually bust the entire faceplate and hardware off the post. You need LONG screws, that go all the way thru that faceboard and DEEP into the 4x4 or 6x6 behind it. I usually use 3.5" minimum length.
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One DIY solution I saw: BO was tired of horses leaning on doors. Got some piping that she wrapped so it looked like a butt bar from a trailer. There were holes drilled in the ends so a strong wire went through with a snap attached to that. Bar was snapped to the inside of the doorway onto sturdy eyehooks. Ended up looking very much like a butt bar in a trailer and seemed to protect the doors from leaners who had kept pushing doors out of alignment. She also used it like a stall guard for her better behaved horses (Not the pony!)
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Would you happen to have a picture of where those are mounted? My imagination sucks 
Works and installs just like a regular stall door latch, with the “receiver” bracket thingamajig on the stall door itself, and the part with the sliding bolt is attached to the post/wall. Slide the bolt into the receiver to hold the door closed.
With a regular latch, if you forget to slide that bolt back once you’ve opened the stall door, now you’ve got this bolt protruding into the doorway where it can tear a big gash into the horse’s flank/hip. With this kind, the spring keeps tension on the bolt and unless you’re actively pushing on it, it snaps back out of harms way, on its own.
Thanks! Yes it’s the protruding latches I’m trying to avoid and I’m OCD about checking ones that do to make sure they aren’t extending out as if the door is latched shut. So far haven’t had any injuries from them, but have heard the horror stories.
I would like to avoid eye bolts too if possible. I worked at a barn years ago where one broke off and was stuck in a nose. Thankfully she did not tear her nostril and we were able to sedate and remove it easily. Once it healed you could never tell it happened.
Check out these:
http://www.plyco.com/P/EquusDutchDoorLatches/109
Nothing protruding, everything rounded. They’re pretty cool!
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I can’t find a pic, but it was piece of metal, about 2 " long, between the last bars on the stall side, that flipped over to hold the door open or closed. I had them in my last barn and loved them.
I’ve been searching like mad for these and found some here (halfway down the page): http://horse-stalls.net/horse-stalls/horse-stalls.htm
Going to try to find some that I can retrofit to my new stalls.
I have these, look at the first photo they are kidney shaped and flat. They are on my inside dutch doors, but I would think they would work outside too
http://jwhall.com/stalls-2/
