Volunteers working at the Mare Barn, Summer 2011
Besides exterior paint, interior work needs to be done
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Another work day for volunteers at the Maasdam barns.  (June 11, 2011)

Dr. Bill Baumann paints the Mare Barn.  (June 11, 2011)

Work starts on a wooden floor in the first stall on the southwest side of the Mare Barn to show how a
stall's wooden floor would have looked.  (Aug 6, 2011)

First, sleepers (beams)are laid, using a smoothing scoop for cleaning out and leveling the trough the sleepers are
set into.  This tool was also invaluable in helping to create the bed for drainage tiles installed in fields.

Leveled and ready for the planks.  Without a wooden floor the dirt floors would get churned up and become muddy.
If a horse falls, bones may break that can't be repaired.

Keith Shafer checks the thickness of the locally grown honey locust planks he prepared at his sawmill.
Honey Locust is very tough to cut and machine.

Because locust so tough to cut, the locust tree is prepared for harvest by girdling the tree,
which causes the tree to eventually die and fall over.

Most Honey Locusts have extremely sharp, long thorns.  This feature makes the tree inconvenient to harvest and saw. The thorns,
which do not rot, grow in clusters and can reach 4 inches in length, so they can puncture boot soles and tractor tires after the tree falls over.

The next week, Keith cuts them to length.  The normal saw blades become dull with locust, so he uses a chainsaw.  (Aug 13, 2011)

Honey Locust was the preferred flooring for stables.  Its resistance to rot and exceptional hardness results in little wear from iron horse shoes.

Once in place, the planks are screwed to the sleepers.

Final check.  (Aug 13, 2011)

Meanwhile, the other stall dirt floors must be leveled out so lime chips can be placed there.  (Aug 13, 2011)

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, June 11, July 16, Aug 6 & 13, 2011