Cottonwood stall boards

[ElectricAl]

We have a horse arena being built 1 mile south of us.
64' x 105' , indoor riding, stalls, tac room.

What are the pros and cons of cottonwood full 2x12 stall boards. They will be held off the floor by 6".  Customer request.

[Kevin_H.]

I have read on here somewhere that the cotton wood is used cause the horse's dont like the taste, but that's about all I know...About cottonwood any way.  ;D

[Jeff]

Long as there is no health hazard to the horse, I think its a good choice if its sound wood. Cottonwood in this area is prone to shake, but the wood that does not have it is strong stuff. I got a 8 foot long 6 quarter by 48 incher here if ya need a wide one...

[Percy]

Heya ElectricAl
Up here people love Cottonwood for horse stalls. Lots of folks use it for stall floor boards as well. The horse pee makes the cottonwood turn to iron. Seen it myself. When the cottonwood drys, its miserable tuff, the logs are cheap and with a barn that big, you could keep them with a supply of extras as some crazy horse is gonna bust somthin once in a while ;D

[Frank_Pender]

Al, I would suggest tht you cut the boards a fulll 6" wide and 2" thick.  the reason for the narrower board is so theat if a hoof flys around in a stall it is less likely to his squarely on a narrow board as opposed to a wider board.  In this way there is less likelyhood of a splinter going into a leg or a hoof getting torn up.

[beenthere]

Frank
I am trying to figure that one out.   ???

Would you decipher that for me, please.  Maybe I am not the only one that doesn't get it (and then, maybe I am!)   : ;D

[oakiemac]

Sorry Frank, I didn't understand your post either.

[solidwoods]

Cottonwood is fine for stall board.
The 2x thickness is very nice.
Non irritating like some woods (cedars),inexpensive compaired to other woods, not real splintery, actually a little soft and stringy (so if the horse cribs he can floss his teeth).
  I wouldn't put it anywhere near the ground.
And last, I like vertical stall boards (a little more to install but worth it(...water runs of better, easier to replace, all same size length, and if a board comes off, it is a verticle hole not a horizontal hole (a little less easy to get hung-up in)
JIM

[ElectricAl]

Thanks for the input.

We have sawn Cottonwood before for stall boards when the customer brings in his own logs.

With this project we need to provide the product.

More comments are fine.

[kentuckyboy]

Being from a state with a few horses, I think Frank has a good point. It is a whole lot easier for a horse to kick through a wide board than a narrow(6 inch) one. With some horses being very valuable, every small thing counts.

[Frank_Pender]

Sorry about the delay in coming back.  You are correct Kentuckyboy.  that is the whol idea.  Also, by placying a sloted system for each end of the boardto rest i, (either vertical or horizontal) one can easly replace the broken boards by simply lifting the avoe pieces and replaceing the broken board.  this wa also prevents andy bolts or nails from possibly makeing for flesh wounds on a critter.