I've loved horses all my life. As a kid I lived and breathed horses and I vowed that one day I would have the fanciest, biggest, modern stables money could buy. I learned from some of the best horsemen in the business and played all the big show games and now 50+ years later, I realize what a predator I was. Now, I understand.
Horses have evolved over millions of years to survive without fancy barns, shoes or over protective "horse moms". I did build the fancy stable with the indoor arena. If I knew how to attach pictures, I would. Now, the stalls are gone except for two birthing stalls and the rest of the barn is used for storage, tractors, hay, arena equipment.
Horses are meant to travel between 15 and 20 miles a day. Their health and well being depend on movement. Without it, they suffer. Horses have had a symbiotic relationship with man for nearlly 6000 years. They were a vital element to man's social evolution.
Even just a 100 years ago, before tractors and cars, horses were used for work and transportation. They worked during the day and grazed at night. Now, they are recreation mostly but there has not been enough time for them to evolve to this sedentary lifestyle on lush lush green pastures. Today, wild horses in Nevada, Montana or California are living LONGER than domesticated horses. Hoof problems such as founder and so called navicular are rampet but non exestant in wild populations. Gastrointestinal problems are prolific even with back yard pets. It's not uncommon for a 20 year old horse to be considered as a senior now. The phyisical and emotional/behavioral problems are enormous especially amoungst stalled horses.
Okay, I'm off my soap box and here's my suggestion. Take out the walls between the stalls and just have two big ones. Don't stress your horses by seperating them. They'll be more likely to have a panic attack apart than together. Let them use the barn for shelter only. Leave the gates open. Don't feed them in there but rather feed them out in your sacrifice area (dry lot). Bring them in in the morning and let them out at night. During the day, the fructin (sugar) level in the grass is high due to photosynthesis and at night it's low. Horses were not meant to consume lush green growing grass. Feed them low starch, non grain feed. (where in the wild would a horse find corn and mollases?) Just add a some rolled barley and oats (small amount) with some black oil sunflower seeds for added fat for your 2 year old. Offer free choice hay all day long in the dry lot and have your hay tested to see if you need to supplement. Don't just buck shot it, it's a waste of money and could be harmful.
My horses have something called Paddock Paradise. On one of my 10 acre pastures, I strung electric wire about 15' off the peremeter fence to create a track. They have loafing areas under trees and a pond, which are bigger, open areas and they have water crossings and different aggregates such as river rock and pea gravel for hoof health. Every morning, I string hay all along this track to encourage them to move and eat, just like in the wild. They never feel confined or trapped. They don't even think about the electric fence any more and I can't remember the last time I actually had it on. I've had several babies grow up with it. It's just as natural as breathing. In the evening, they meet me at the gate to be let out either into the middle or out on another pasture. Some, the ponies, have to be muzzeled so they just wait patiently while I get them muzzeled. Then, just before dusk, they go out. In the morning, around 8, they are all standing at the gate ready to come in for their feed. Then some are tied until it's their turn for development and some just head out on the track. Just depends on the day.
Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear but if you love horses, really love them then you'll consider their well being first and not your convienance. Don't treat them like prisioners, treat them like partners.
Keep it Natural,
Kellie Campbell, Iowa