Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start when choosing a stall system for my horses?
There are many factors to consider when selecting the right stall system for you and your horses. First you need to ask yourself what you want to accomplish based on your horses’, and your clients’ (if applicable) needs, and your budget. Do lots of research; talk to other farm owners and search the internet for ideas and inspirations. Don’t be afraid to give us a call so we can help you get started on the right path to planning your dream facility. When building a stall system we can start with one of our existing styles, or from our client’s ideas and inspirations for a completely unique design. We usually run with a 4-16 week lead time on projects, so be sure to start the process early enough to meet any deadlines you may have for your facility’s construction.
What is a typical horse stall size?
Our standard sizes of stalls are 10′ x10′, 10′ x 12′, and 12′ x 12′ although if you are working within specific measurements or are looking for something smaller or larger we can create a custom size to suit your needs.
Are support posts needed for horse stall installation?
While support posts can be used in the installation of all our stall systems, it is only in the Standard Series, Rockwood Series, and Braecrest Series that wood or steel support posts must be used.
What size posts should I use in the installation of my horse stalls?
Any sized support post larger than 4′ x 4′ can be used between stalls. Whatever size support post is used will simply affect the inside finished measurement of your stalls.
How difficult are horse stalls and doors to install?
We make it easy for you, your contractor/local builder, or carpenter to install our systems. Building material sheets and instructions are provided with every stall order. Materials will include pre-fabricated fastening hardware or pre-drilled holes for easy installation. In addition, our production team and your account manager are on hand to answer any installation-related questions.
Is lumber included in the price of the horse stalls?
We can price any stall series with or without lumber to give you the option of using our Tongue and Groove Ash Premium Hardwood or to source a different type of lumber depending upon your needs.
What type of lumber should I use in my horse stall fronts and doors?
Our barn doors and stalls are made to fit a 2” thick rough cut hardwood or softwood. For durability and a superior finish we offer a Tongue and Groove Ash Hardwood Lumber. It is 1 3/8” thick by 5.5” wide in a stall grade. It is dried to a minimum of 16% moisture for use in barns. The ash absorbs impact and has a beautiful bright finish. We have found it is the best product to use for the application; it stains nicely and will last a long time. We recommend putting a stain or varathane on the wood so that moisture does not get in the wood. Order approximately 5% extra material as it is a stall grade.
What is powder coating?
Powder coating is a dry metal finishing process using finely ground particles of plastic resins, color pigments and special cross linking agents which, once cured, cause the plastic resins to become very hard and extremely durable. Powder Coating is the leading alternative to conventional liquid spray painting. Powder coating is a high performance method of finishing products as it does not run, drip, sag, or exhibit “solvent pops.” Furthermore, powder coating offers excellent resistance to heat, abrasion, impact, UV from sunlight, and corrosion.
Can stall fronts and doors be ordered in different colours?
Powder coating in black is standard and built into the price of a painted stall. If you wish to finish your stall fronts or doors with a colour other than black, we ask that you send us the colour number associated with an RAL colour chart and your account manager will confirm a custom paint colour price for your order.
What is a hot dipped galvanized finish?
Hot dip galvanizing is a process developed to prevent steel from corroding. Before the process can take place, the steel goes through a thorough chemical clean which removes all rust, oil, and mill scale from the surface. When the cleaning solution has been rinsed off, the coating process can begin. The steel is dipped into a bath of molten zinc heated to around 450°C (860°F) before being left to cool in a quench tank. When the cooling process is complete, the zinc coating is then metallurgically bonded to the steel. Galvanizing creates an easy-to-clean surface which can give a maintenance-free life of more than 50 years (depending on the environment it is being used in). When maintenance eventually becomes necessary, it is straightforward. No complex preparation treatments are necessary.
What is the best way to care for my horse stall’s finish?
The wear and tear that occurs within a working horse barn can be tough on any finish, but you can help keep the finish on your powder coated stalls looking beautiful with a couple easy steps. Ensure that you add proper hardware and accessories such as bridle hooks, blanket bars, crosstie rings and saddle hooks. When everything has a job-specific space it is easy to preserve the finish on your stalls. Addressing touch up areas as soon as wearing or scratches occur is important. Contact your account manager for touch up paint to eliminate bigger issues.
What is gauge of steel?
Gauge of steel can vary based on type of system (ie. stalls, gates, round pens, wall capping) and manufacturer. The gauge of steel signifies the thickness of the wall of steel tubing or sheet steel. A lower gauge signifies a thicker steel. We uses a heavy gauge steel in the construction of our products. Do not be fooled by imitation—be sure to ask about the gauge of steel when selecting stall equipment.
What type of flooring is best for horse stalls and aisleways?
A good place to start is ensuring you have a level, firm base; either a concrete or level, well-compacted stone dust base is appropriate. You must then decide on the comfort level required and what the purpose will be for each area. We offer vulcanized rubber mat systems or Vulcanized rubber mat systems can also be used in the aisle way or wash/grooming stall as well as our interlocking I-Tiles depending on the amount of traffic the areas will receive. Browse our selection of stall flooring.
Why choose a System Equine stall system?
With so many options when choosing stalls for horses, things can sometimes be confusing; at System Equine we make it easier. Whether you own a two-stall private barn or a 60-stall boarding facility you can be assured we have a stall system to meet your needs. Our stalls are constructed with a high level of attention to detail, excellence of craftsmanship, along with the safety of horse and owner in mind. In our welded systems, each bar is placed through pre-punched holes in the u-channel then welded securely in place for the most durability and best look. Sonic welds or spot welding alternatively will show depletions over time. Our enclosed round track hardware for sliding doors and heavy-duty 2-way adjustable hinges with Delron bushings will keep your stall functioning and feeling smooth for years. Whichever stall system you choose, you can be sure that we will be with you every step of the way. Our trained staff is here to answer your questions and provide decades of experience with finding the right horse stall, stall supplies, and other equine products for your barn, facility, or equestrian center. Our team includes some of the most skilled horse stall designers and builders in the world, that’s the System advantage.
How much will it cost to ship?
We work with many different freight companies to find you the best rate for your location. Our stall and door systems are shipped all over the world. Your location, type of truck used, and the total size of load along with current fuel surcharge rate will determine the cost of your freight. Please give us a call and ask to connect with one of our account managers to arrange a shipping quote.
Why should I choose Flex fencing over traditional wood fencing?
Flex fencing was specifically designed and engineered for the horse and livestock industry. It is a high quality, safer, and stronger alternative to board or traditional fence. It offers your horse a safer environment with much less maintenance for you as well as easier installation.
How many rails of Flex fence should I use?
We want to be sure that your horses are as safe as possible. With horses, an ounce of protection outweighs injury and costly vet bills. A four-rail fence provides the best visible barrier, closer rail spacing, and peace of mind. We also have many ideas for your foals, yearlings, or stallions. We can suggest ideas for “nursery paddocks” featuring combination fencing, and fences to fit your budget without sacrificing the safety of your horse.
How many splicers do I need for my Flex fence?
Our rolls of Flex fencing are available in 660’ or 330’ lengths. Because of the special bonded rail, you will only need one splicer every 660’ on most stretches of fence.
Should I put the Flex fence rail on the inside or outside of the post?
Placing the rail on the inside of the post is recommended; it will always be stronger this way as the rail is between the animal and post. Aesthetically, rails on the outside of the post may look better. The 1 1/2” stainless steel screws hold the rail tight provided you correctly follow the installation instructions.
Will my horse chew Flex fencing?
Most horses do not like to chew on polymer fencing. It is not palatable to them. If horses abuse the railing we recommend installing a line of electric fencing on the inside or using a crib strap.
I have seen a Flex fence that sags, what causes this?
We recommend that you follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Any tensioned fence needs to be braced and concreted at corners, ends, or any post out of a straight line. If this step is avoided, sagging can occur. We also recommend tightening your fence approximately once yearly to prevent sagging.
What is the warranty like?
Our Flex fencing has a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on all manufacturer’s defects. This includes cracking, peeling, chipping, and discolouration due to adverse weather conditions or manufacturer’s defects. Abuse to the fence is not covered. We recommend the use of electric fencing in high traffic areas.
Will Flex fence rails break in extreme cold or hot weather conditions?
Flex fencing uses 12.5 gauge high tensile wire to take the impact of animals on the fencing, the fence will give and come back to its original position in both extreme cold and hot conditions. The space-aged polymer coating will withstand extreme hot and cold weather. The plastic used in the flex fence is designed to hold up to -75 Celsius per ASTM D-746. That said if the weight of the snow exceeds the break strength of the wire then the fence will break. If you are expecting large amounts of snow piled against the fence then we would recommend to set the line posts closer together on that stretch of fence. We would also recommend using tighteners where you start and stop the fence in those areas. If it gets that cold and a horse kicks the fence then you could see a break in the plastic, however most of our customers don’t turn horses out at that temperature. The warranty does not cover abuse.
How much maintenance is required with this type of fence system?
Flex fence needs to be tightened when it gets loose. Most people find that they need to tighten their Flex fence once a year or once every couple of years depending on the amount of pressure from horses that is applied to the fencing.
Can I install this fence myself or do I need to have a contractor do it for me?
Qualified installers have the equipment, tools, and experience to give you a permanent, professional-looking structure. For every dollar you spend, it will be returned in increased equity by adding value to your property. With any type of fence the posts are the most difficult part of any installation. Posts must be installed straight and to a depth of at least 36”. Corner posts must be driven in the ground or augured and concreted in the ground and braced properly. Once the posts are in, you can follow the installation instructions to have a beautiful, low-maintenance fence.
What is Flexineb E3?
Nortev’s Flexineb E3 is a simple to use, silent and portable equine nebuliser system without the standard compressor, hoses, wires and typical inconveniences of old horse nebulisers. The Flexineb E3 is a revolutionary equine nebuliser that enables delivery of nebulised drugs and natural therapies directly to the airways of the horse. It operates from a rechargeable battery and has a unique blue flexible mask interface with a clear aerosol chamber and medication cup.
Why use Flexineb E3?
Respiratory problems in horses are frequently the cause of poor sportive performances. The most frequently occurring lower respiratory tract disorders are Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) also known as Heaves, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) also known as Bleeding. Typically, their treatment includes systemic administration of drugs using injections or the oral route, however administration via inhalation through horse nebuliser masks and inhalers are now considered to be a viable alternative way to treat respiratory disorders (including breathing, airway or lung problems). Nortev’s Flexineb E3 is an easy-to-use delivery device that produces a very fine mist of aerosolized drug or natural therapy solution enabling this method of treatment for the horse.
What drugs can be nebulized with the Flexineb E3?
Some examples of drugs that have been successfully nebulised using the Flexineb E3 are:
- Antibiotics such as Cobactan® and Excenel®
- Corticosteroids such as Pulmocort® and Dexamethasone
- Bronchodilators such as Atrovent® and Ventolin™
- Mucolytics such as Parvolex® and Saline solution
- Saline solution with a few drops of Olbas oil or Eucalyptus oil will also nebulise
Please note the viscosity of the drug will affect the nebulisation rate and delivery time.
To overcome this some drugs can be diluted with saline solution to increase the nebulisation rate. Refer to our Medication Guide on our Product Documentation page for more details.
Please note the following are NOT to be nebulised with Flexineb: AZIUM, VET ONE DEX, VEDCO DEX, DUPHACORT, RESPRADIL, VETADINE, BROMINE, MILTON / BLEACH, COLLOIDAL SILVER, DE-IONISED WATER, IONISED WATER.
What size masks are available?
There are three Flexineb E3 mask sizes available:
- Foal/Pony Size: will fit sizes from foals/small ponies to yearlings
- Standard Size: will fit 2 year old Thoroughbred to large Warmblood breeds
- Customised Large Size: only available on special request and will fit the largest of horses
My vet has no experience of the technology so where can we get information on drug dosages?
Nortev can provide this information on request, including scientific data on nebulisation. Refer to our Medication Guide for more details.
Can I mix different medications in the Med Cup and nebulise them together?
Yes you can, but based on our experience, it is better to stagger treatments to gain the full benefit of nebulisation treatment. Example: If your horse is suffering for an infection that is also causing inflammation, from information gathered worldwide from various veterinarians the protocol for treatment would be as follows:
Step 1: Nebulise a Bronchodilator, this will help to “open” up your horses lungs. Allow to take effect for at least 10 minutes.
Step 2: Nebulise a Corticosteroid, this will help to reduce inflammation within your horse’s lungs. Allow to take effect for at least 10 minutes.
Step 3: Nebulise your Antibiotic, this will help fight the infection. Repeat as recommended by your veterinarian.
Can I use a Metered Dose Inhaler with the Flexineb E3?
Yes, remove the nebuliser and rotate the clear aerosol chamber to the horizontal position. Insert the supplied Metered Dose Inhaler Adaptor into the top of the aerosol chamber. The Metered Dose Inhaler can then be inserted and actuated into the aerosol chamber. Refer to the Instructions for Use on our Product Documentation page for more information.
What’s the difference between a Flexineb E3 MDI System and a standard Flexineb E3 System?
The Flexineb E3 MDI System only contains the Mask Assembly which will only allow drug delivery by Meter Dose Inhaler (MDI). It does not contain the Electronic Controller, Cable and Medication Cup which is required for nebulisation of a wide range of drugs. The standard Flexineb E3 system includes all system parts to allow both MDI and nebulisation treatments for you horse. With the full system you have the ability to deliver a broad range of medications and natural therapy solutions.
Where can I find information on the benefits of nebulisation and aerosol therapy?
Aerosol therapy offers the benefit of delivering nebulised medication directly to the site of infection in the airways of the horse rather than going indirectly to the problem by delivering the drug orally or by injection.
What is different about the Flexineb E3 versus other equine nebulisers on the market?
The Flexineb E3 is portable, easy to use, easy to clean and disinfect; it’s silent, fast and doesn’t waste drug. The distance between the nebuliser and the horse’s respiratory tract is short. It’s also well tolerated by the horse.
Do you have a brochure I can read that tells me information about the Flexineb E3?
Do you have support from veterinarians?
Yes, Flexineb E3 was designed with extensive input and support from equine veterinarians in Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Canada and United States.
Can I use Essential oils with the Flexineb E3?
Yes, to nebulise common essential oils like Eucalyptus Oil or Olbas® Oil first fill the Medication Cup with 0.9% Saline solution and then add a few drops of the oils. Please refer to our Drug Table for information on other products we have tested and advice on whether they must be diluted or not. Some natural Products can be harsh on plastics and metals so please contact Nortev for advice on products not referred to in our Drug Table. It is very important to wash out the Medication Cup after nebulising essential oil solutions to prevent potential damage to the plastics and vibrating mesh materials.
What arrives when I receive my Flexineb E3? Are extra parts required before I can use it?
The Flexineb E3 system contains everything needed to start nebulising and treating your horse.
Do you supply medications or solutions for the Flexineb E3 which I can use immediately?
Medications are not supplied with Flexineb E3 as these must be prescribed by your vet. The system is supplied with a bottle of 0.9% Saline Solution for immediate use. This helps become familiar with how it operates and to introduce your horse to the system before using it with medications.
What operating time will I get from a fully charged Flexineb E3 battery?
Approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on the condition of the battery.
How long does it take to charge the battery?
Approximately 3 to 4 hours to fully charge a discharged battery.
How do I clean and disinfect Flexineb E3 parts?
Cleaning the Mask:
The Mask can be washed using clean warm tap water with some dish washing up liquid. Rinse off with warm clean tap water and dry off before re-use. Disinfection: First disassemble all parts of the Mask and wash them thoroughly with clean warm tap water and dish washing up liquid. Rinse the parts off and let them air dry on a clean dry surface. Disinfect each part by wiping down thoroughly with anti-bacterial wipes before re-assembly. Please click on the following link to watch our medication cup cleaning video.
Cleaning the Medication Cup:
It is very important to wash out the Med Cup after each use to avoid contamination or damage of the metallic vibrating mesh. Protect the electrical connector from getting wet when cleaning by using the protective cap provided. To clean out the Med Cup open up the soft blue Cap and place 2-3 drops of mild dishwashing liquid (do not use dishwasher detergent) into the Cup and fill with distilled water. Close the soft blue Cap and shake the Cup vigorously for about 15 seconds and squeeze the soft Cap to push water through the mesh whilst shaking. Open the Cap and rinse out from both sides with distilled water. Shake off excess water and let air dry before re-use. Disinfection: To disinfect the outside surfaces of the Med Cup use anti-bacterial wipes. Do not immerse the Med Cup in water or cleaning chemical solutions! Do not nebulise or put chemical cleaning solutions inside the Cup as they may permanently damage the metallic mesh or reduce its life! Do not use sharp instruments to clean the metallic mesh in the Med Cup! For continuity of treatment it is highly recommended to carry spare Med Cups!
What is the lifespan of the Flexineb E3?
The Flexineb E3 system is robust but you must take care of it if you want trouble free use. Always stay with the horse during use, clean it regularly and store it safely away from freezing temperatures and damp conditions. Like all electro-mechanical devices it has some wearing parts which can wear out or become damaged during use. For example, the Medication Cup is a replaceable part and its life is very dependent on the drugs nebulised and how well maintained it is between uses. Typical life of a Medication cup with 0.9% Saline is 150 treatments however this can be reduced if many different drugs or natural therapies are nebulised in the same cup or if the cup is not cleaned regularly. The rechargeable battery will eventually require replacement after 12 months approx depending on usage and number of charge / discharge cycles.
Can I use the Flexineb E3 on other small animals?
The Flexineb E3 product is unique for equine use but Nortev have another device called Flexineb C1 for use on small animals. With Flexineb C1 you will be able to treat a large number of respiratory issues suffered by cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, rodents and other small animals