6 Best UV Resistant Stall Guards For Outdoor Stalls That Last for Years
Secure your outdoor stalls with durable, UV-resistant guards. We review 6 top options designed to withstand sun and weather for long-lasting performance.
You’ve seen it before: the once-bright blue stall guard, now a pale, chalky shadow of its former self. It’s covered in tiny cracks, and the webbing feels stiff and brittle to the touch. This isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a failure waiting to happen, and a direct result of the sun’s relentless assault.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why UV Resistance Matters for Outdoor Stalls
Sunlight feels great, but it’s brutal on equipment. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight actively breaks down the polymers in fabrics, webbing, and plastics. This process, called photodegradation, is why materials left outside lose their color, become brittle, and eventually lose their strength.
For a stall guard on an outdoor-facing stall, this isn’t a minor issue. A degraded guard is a weak guard. The material can tear under the slightest pressure from a leaning horse, and the stitching holding the D-rings can rot and give way without warning. A cheap, non-UV-resistant guard might look fine for a season, but it’s a ticking clock.
Ultimately, this is a safety and economic issue. A failed guard can lead to a loose horse, which is a risk no one wants to take. Constantly replacing cheap guards every year also adds up, costing you more in the long run than investing in one quality, UV-resistant option from the start.
Tough-1 Webbing Guard: Ultimate Durability
When your primary concern is sheer toughness, a heavy-duty webbed guard is hard to beat. The Tough-1 is a classic example of this design, built from tightly woven nylon or polypropylene webbing that stands up to abuse. Its strength comes from the material itself, not a thin coating that can wear away.
This design is incredibly resistant to pulling and leaning. Horses that test their boundaries will find little give here. The open-weave construction also prevents it from acting like a sail in the wind, reducing stress on your stall posts and hardware.
The main tradeoff is airflow. While it’s not a solid wall, it doesn’t offer the same level of ventilation as a full mesh guard. In a hot, humid climate with little natural breeze, this is a real consideration for your horse’s comfort. But for pure, simple, long-lasting containment, it’s a top contender.
Schneiders Dura-Tech Mesh for Max Airflow
For barns in warmer climates, airflow is king. A stuffy stall in August is miserable, and that’s where a mesh guard like the Schneiders Dura-Tech truly shines. It provides a secure visual barrier while allowing for maximum cross-ventilation, keeping stalls cooler and fresher.
The key to its longevity is the material. It’s typically a vinyl-coated polyester mesh, the same kind of stuff used for durable outdoor furniture and sun shades. The vinyl coating is the hero here, shielding the inner polyester fibers from UV rays and preventing them from becoming brittle. This construction also makes it incredibly easy to clean—just hose it off.
Be realistic about your horse, though. While strong, mesh is not indestructible. A determined chewer or a horse that paws incessantly can eventually damage the material. It’s an excellent choice for well-behaved horses where comfort and airflow are the top priorities.
Cashel Stall Guard: Simple and Secure Design
Cashel has a reputation for making practical, no-nonsense gear, and their stall guards are no exception. They often feature a hybrid design, combining a solid center section with mesh panels on the sides. This gives you a great balance of features.
The solid center provides a more formidable visual barrier, which can be enough to discourage horses that might otherwise test a fully open guard. That solid panel, usually made of a tough, UV-treated canvas or vinyl, is also extremely durable and easy to personalize. The mesh sides ensure you don’t sacrifice critical airflow.
This is a fantastic middle-ground option. You get more durability than a full mesh guard and better ventilation than a solid webbing guard. It’s a workhorse design that fits the needs of many different barns and horses.
Weaver Leather Poly Guard with Easy Snaps
Sometimes convenience is a major factor. The Weaver Leather Poly Guard is often sold as a complete package, including heavy-duty snaps and adjustable straps. This means you aren’t making a second trip to the hardware store to figure out how to hang it.
Made from heavy polypropylene, this guard is built to live outside. Polypropylene is a type of plastic that naturally resists moisture, mildew, and UV degradation, making it a low-maintenance choice. It won’t absorb water in a downpour and will hold its color far longer than untreated nylon.
The built-in adjustability is a huge plus for older barns or non-standard openings. With multiple D-rings and long straps, you can get a snug, secure fit almost anywhere. It’s a practical, all-in-one solution for someone who wants to buy it, hang it, and forget it.
Perri’s Padded Vinyl Guard for Comfort
If you have a horse that likes to hang out over their door or lean on the guard, rubs can be a concern. The Perri’s Padded Vinyl Guard addresses this directly. The soft padding creates a cushioned barrier that’s much gentler on your horse’s chest and neck.
The exterior is a heavy-duty vinyl, which is an excellent material for sun resistance. It’s non-porous, so UV rays can’t easily penetrate and break down the fibers. It also means mud and dirt wipe right off, keeping your barn aisle looking sharp.
The main consideration is its performance in extreme weather. The vinyl can get quite hot in direct, intense summer sun, and if the padding gets completely saturated in a driving rain, it can take a while to dry out. However, for a horse that needs that extra bit of comfort, the benefits are clear.
Rambo Newmarket Stall Guard: Stylish Choice
Let’s be honest: sometimes you want your barn to look good. The Rambo Newmarket Stall Guard, with its iconic stripes, brings a touch of class to any barn aisle. But this isn’t just about looks; it’s a product from Horseware, a company known for its high-quality, durable horse clothing.
This guard is typically made from the same tough, coated polyester fabric used in their blankets. This material is specifically engineered to withstand years of exposure to sun and rain without fading or weakening. You are paying a premium, but you’re getting a product designed for longevity.
Think of this as an investment in both function and form. It will reliably keep your horse in its stall while elevating the overall look of your setup. For those who take pride in a tidy, well-appointed barn, the Rambo guard is a choice that delivers on both fronts.
Choosing Hardware for Long-Term Installation
A top-of-the-line stall guard is useless if the hardware holding it up rusts through in six months. The snaps, screw eyes, and chains are the critical link, and for outdoor stalls, material choice is everything. Your default choice should always be stainless steel. It will not rust, period.
Brass is a decent alternative as it won’t rust, but it will tarnish and can be slightly softer than steel. The hardware to absolutely avoid is cheap, zinc-plated steel. It might look shiny and silver in the store, but that thin plating will wear off, and you’ll have a rusty, weakened mess in a year or two.
For installation, consider how your horse interacts with the guard. Simple screw eyes are easy to install, but for a horse that leans heavily, an eye bolt that goes all the way through the post with a washer and nut on the back is far more secure. Using double-ended snaps instead of single trigger snaps also provides a more secure connection that’s less likely to be opened by a clever horse. Don’t let a $2 piece of hardware be the point of failure for your entire setup.
In the end, the best stall guard is the one that fits your climate, your horse’s personality, and your tolerance for replacing gear. By investing in a UV-resistant material and pairing it with quality stainless steel hardware, you’re not just buying a stall guard. You’re buying peace of mind for years to come.
