The Best Horse Barn Lights for Stalls, Aisles, and Exterior.

Last updated: March 26, 2023

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

I have been thinking about the types of lights to put in my horse barn. I know that it’s easier to observe and care for horses with proper barn lighting. But there are many lighting options, and it’s hard to find the perfect ones, so I researched lighting and came up with a list of the best ones for my horse barn.

The best horse barn lights are bright, safe, long-lasting, and reasonably priced, and I found the Tanbaby LED E26/E27 to meet all these criteria plus, it’s a light you can use in either aisleways or stalls. An excellent exterior barn light is the Torchstar LED Barn Light.

If you own a horse, you know that keeping them safe and healthy is of the utmost importance. One way to do this is by making sure that your barn is well-lit. This blog post covers everything you need to know about horse barn lighting.

We will go over topics such as types of light fixtures, brightness levels, and placement of lights. By following the tips in this blog post, you can create a safe and comfortable environment for your horses.

Horse barn lighting

When designing a horse barn, lighting is an essential factor that horse owners often overlook. However, it is a mistake that can impact the functionality of the barn and the well-being of the horses.

Adequate lighting can make a significant difference in the ease and efficiency of daily horse care, especially when there is limited natural light available. By paying attention to lighting during the design process, you can create a comfortable and safe environment for both horses and humans.

Choosing the right lighting for a horse barn requires careful consideration of several factors, including the type of light bulb, wattage, and brightness, the height of the fixtures, and the need for time-off light sensors.

By taking these factors into account, you can select a lighting system that provides adequate illumination and promotes the well-being of your horses while helping to create a safe and functional barn.

With the wide range of lighting systems available, it is easier than ever to find a solution that meets your specific needs. While standard lighting can work in some areas of your horse barn, using specialized lights in others can be more effective.

Types of horse barn lights

It’s essential to understand the different types of lights, including fluorescent, LED (light-emitting diode), incandescent, halogen, and metal halide bulbs. I have used many of these types, and some were awful.

Metal halide bulbs

Metal halide bulbs are a common type of light used in horse barns. They provide a high brightness level and are ideal for use in large areas such as aisleways, arenas, or paddocks.

These lights can be very bright, but they come with some limitations. I had six big metal halide bulbs in our aisleways and would flip their switch only for them to take about 1-2 minutes before being fully lit up; after that, it was great, but don’t turn them off.

The most significant problem was when you turned off your metal halide bulbs, they wouldn’t come back on for a long time. Often it took them 15 mins or more to brighten fully. I became so frustrated I eventually replaced them with LED lights.

Check out this YouTube video about the importance of using conduits to run your barn lights.

LED bulbs

LEDs have been a rapidly developing and increasingly popular lighting technology for decades. They’re more energy-efficient than other types of bulbs and offer better light quality that can make your life easier with brightly lit barns.

LED lights are my preferred light choice for horse barns. They last longer than other light bulbs and cost less money to use. They also don’t get as hot as traditional light bulbs, reducing the fire risk. Today you can buy LED lights in all shapes and sizes.

Incandescent bulbs

Incandescent bulbs are unsuitable for horse barns because they produce a lot of heat. This can be dangerous for horses, as they could potentially be injured by a hot bulb. Additionally, incandescent bulbs tend to burn out quickly, which is not the most economical option.

Fluorescent bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs are an excellent choice for horse barn lighting because they are energy-efficient and typically last long. They also produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs.

However, I prefer LED bulbs because they emit brighter light than fluorescent bulbs. But ultimately, it is up to the horse owner to decide what type of bulb is best for their barn.

Lights for aisleways

You will want to ensure that the aisleways are well-lit so that you can see clearly when walking through the barn, and your horses can see when you lead them.

We routinely groom, saddle, and shoe our horses in the aisle. Also, when we get to the barn before sunrise or return with our horses at night, we need strong lighting to check our horses and lead them to their stalls.

Our barn is designed with a lot of natural lighting and strategically placed small but powerful LED floodlights in our aisleways. (pictured above). They are positioned high and provide good lighting.

Most horse barns need more than one light in their aisleways, but not always; you need to consider your barn’s size and the brightness of the lights when choosing your aisleway lights.

Tanbaby fixtures are a wise and cost-effective choice for aisleways that require multiple lights. They are easy to install and are energy-efficient. Tanbaby LED lights provide three times the brightness of traditional incandescent light sources and last much longer while using less electricity.

However, for large barns, I suggest using high bay lights; here’s why:

1. Powerful Illumination: Large barns typically have high ceilings, ranging from 15 to 45 feet or even higher. High bay lights are specifically designed to provide powerful and bright illumination for such spaces, ensuring that every corner of the barn is well-lit.
2. Light Distribution: High bay lights are engineered to distribute light evenly and effectively across large areas, making them ideal for expansive spaces like large barns.
3. Energy Efficiency: Large barns require a significant amount of lighting, which can lead to high energy consumption and costs. High bay lights, particularly those with LED technology, are known for their energy efficiency.
4. Durability and Longevity: High bay lights, especially those with LED technology, are known for their durability and long lifespan. This is particularly beneficial in large barns, where accessing and replacing light fixtures can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Check out the Lightdot 250W LED High Bay Light; it is a high-performance lighting solution that combines powerful illumination with energy efficiency. This light fixture delivers an impressive 35,000 lumens, ensuring bright and consistent lighting for commercial and industrial applications.

Lights for horse stalls.

When it comes to horse stalls, proper lighting is key. It makes the horses feel more comfortable and safe, but it can also help you keep an eye out for problems.

We groom and saddle our young horses in their stall. So having good lighting is essential for us to check them out thoroughly. Having a well-lit stall can save money because you can catch minor problems early and take care of them before they become big problems.

Best stall lights

The best lighting for a horse stall provides enough light, doesn’t produce much heat, and can be powered without being too expensive. There are many options in the market today, so it’s essential to do your research before committing to a type of bulb or fixture.

The Lightdot 100W LED High Bay Light is one of the best light fixtures you can find for your stall. Unlike other LED lights, this one comes on super fast and provides bright and uniform lighting,

It is designed for warehouses, barns, and garages and is the perfect size to mount in a horse stall as a bonus; it has a clean, simple style, is easy to install, and is made to adjust the beam angle where you need light the most.

The standard incandescent fixture with a 100-watt bulb, enclosed with a cage and jelly jar, is a good and reasonably priced option. If you decide to go with fluorescent lights, you can buy plastic or metal covers for protection.

Location of lights in horse stalls

Horse stalls are notorious for being cramped and dark. When choosing a spot for your lights, please don’t put them in the center directly above where your horse commonly stands because it creates shadows and makes inspecting your horse’s lower legs difficult.

Instead, install them at corners or on walls to keep light flowing evenly so you can easily see any potential problems with your animal’s health!

To prevent your horse from getting hurt and destroying your light fixtures, you should install the lights high enough so that a horse cannot reach them. Horses can be destructive, and if there is a way to injure themselves on anything within their reach, they’ll do it.

Horses tend to rear when they’re scared, so it’s essential that you install your lights at least 12 feet high to keep them from hurting their heads on low-hanging light fixtures.

Most horse barns are built with stalls open to the rafters, which are typically higher than 12 feet, so you should have an appropriate spot for the light fixture installation.

The placement of lighting in a horse stall makes a significant difference in the quality of the lighting and the safety of your horse. Remember to ensure that there are no shadows and consider your horse’s reach before deciding where lights should go.

Planning wiring for your horse stalls

Horses and barn critters have a knack for chewing on electrical wiring, so to avoid any unpleasant surprises, it’s best to run the wire through a metal conduit pipe. Also, run the conduit high and out of your horse’s way.

And when considering the power needs for your barn, don’t forget that you’ll likely be using various electric equipment besides lights, such as fans, clippers, and tool charges.

Exterior barn lighting

I like to have the exterior of my barn lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s not just for the looks either – with bright lights in place if anything happens during the night, it’s easy to see what’s going on around the barn, and it deters unwanted visitors.

I recommend using waterproof dusk to dawn led lights. These fixtures typically have a photocell that automatically turns on at night and stays off during daylight hours, reducing waste and saving you money on your energy bill.

The Torchstar LED barn light is a good option.

Solar Powered exterior barn lights.

You can’t go wrong with solar floodlights. From small areas to large, these energy-efficient lights illuminate any space. The best part is they’re easy to install, are powerful, and don’t require wiring.

The 218 LED Solar Flood Lights have waterproof motion detectors, and the battery charges quickly. It’s an excellent choice for exterior barn lighting.

Conclusion

If you’re like most people, you probably think of horses roaming around in pastures. In reality, horses are often kept in barns, so they need proper lighting to stay healthy and happy.

Why settle for a dim, less-than-ideal lighting setup? It would be best if you were on top of your game when it comes to observing and caring for horses. Consider using LED lights; they are brighter, cost less, and last longer than traditional bulbs.

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