Holiday Horse Barn Decorating Ideas
If simply being in the barn with your horses, even mucking the stalls on a rainy day, soothes and uplifts your spirits, think of how much more warming it is when you bring holiday décor and cheer into your barn – even the horses can tell the difference. Here are some holiday decorating ideas for your barn – both inside and out.
Let’s start with lighting the barn’s exterior. Whether you use clear or color lights – clear lights are magical -- coordinate the lighting with that of your home to give display continuity. Keep the illumination constant, as alternating lights can be distracting. On the outside of your barn doors, hang wreathes with an equestrian theme. You can achieve this by using special wrought iron wreath hangers that have equestrian themes and inserting old bits or stirrups into the greenery with ribbon, hang bells and finish with a bow.
Inside, hang icicle lights, powered either by battery or LED, from the rafters. Be sure to have them on a timer. Use the barn posts; they’re just begging to be wrapped in red ribbons, alternating with artificial green garlands. Another post idea is to wrap them in white and red to reflect a candy cane theme. From the stall doors, hang Christmas stockings filled with candy canes for guests – and your horses.
To really do it up, take old horseshoes and give them a holiday redo by painting them with gold or silver paint, add glitter and wrap them in fake holly and berries, or anything that pleases you, and hang them with festive ribbon on the outside of the stalls at measured intervals.
Whatever is hung up should be out of the horses' way so they don't eat plastic or evergreens. Their natural curiosity needs to be accommodated. Make sure you do not obstruct the passageways and do not place decorative items where they might spook the horses. Also, do not use any non-URL lights or decorations that might cause a spark, use battery-powered or LED. Aside from these simple precautions, go ahead and let your creative juices and holiday spirit flow and make your horse barn part of the Christmas tidings. Happy holidays to all.
Sandra Kirkland and Debbie Disbrow of Ramm Horse Fencing and Stalls have partnered together to write this article. Sandra Kirkland is a free lance writer. She boarded her horse at Debbie's barn several years ago and now lives in North Carolina. Debbie Disbrow of Ramm Horse Fencing and Stalls and Sandra have partnered together to share this article with you. "Its fun to be able to work with friends from the barn, again!"
Debbie has over 45 years experience with horses and equine-related businesses. She has owned, trained, boarded horses and run stables at various times in her career. She is a certified fence installer, has given balanced riding lessons, and has shown horses in Western, Western Pleasure, Trail, English, Hunter/Jumper, Fox Hunting, Hunter Trials, Dressage and driving classes. Debbie has been involved in foaling, and just about every aspect of horse ownership possible, and she welcomes your questions and comments. If you are interested in using any articles by Debbie, please send her an email.
RAMM Fence Systems, Inc. makes every effort to provide reliable and useful information on horse health, care and products. The statements made on this website are based on years of experience with horses, however, they are based on generalized situations and should not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian or consultation by a professional. RAMM Fence Systems, Inc. does not assume any legal responsibility. Readers should always consult qualified health care providers for specific diagnosis and treatment.