At HorseProperties.net, we want to help you in every facet of caring for your horses and your horse property. So today, we’re going to talk about what it takes to build the perfect horse barn.
As with all things, preparation is key. A well-built horse barn can save thousands of dollars over the years in upkeep costs, vet bills, and the general livelihood and well being of your horses.
But in order to reap those benefits, you must carefully plan every aspect of your barn. Here are some major things to keep in mind:
Location, Location, Location: It’s the first rule of real estate and it applies just as much to a horse barn. Choose a site that is easily accessible, well drained, and is not too far away from a road or utilities – this will save a lot of time over the years. Once you’ve settled on a plot of land, spend time there on a few windy days to understand the direction of the prevailing winds and use them to your advantage. For good air circulation, without turning your barn into a wind tunnel, we recommend you build your barn with the center aisle at about a 45º angle to prevailing winds. If the wind is fickle and comes from all directions, consider a square barn with 4 entrances that can each be blocked off as needed in order to adapt to wind conditions.
Make Your Barn Work for You: Your barn is a system, and it can either save you time or waste time. As you’re planning the barn, think about all the jobs you have to do in it – feeding the horses, watering them, tacking up, etc. – and the order that you do them in, and then plan your barn to literally eliminate steps from that routine. The more steps you cut out, the more time (or money, if you have hired help) you save.
Make Your Barn a Horse Hotel: If your horses are happy with their homes, they’ll reward you for it. So don’t skimp on building the stalls! While some horses can get by in a 10’x10′ stall, most need at least 12’x12′ to be comfortable. Ensure at least an 8′ divider between each horse, and adding a grill to the upper part of the wall will allow the horses to see each other without annoying each other. Furthermore, the stall should be at least 11′ tall with open space at the top – this allows for air circulation and for the horse to rear comfortably in the stall. Finally, make sure those stalls are strong! You don’t want to be dealing with repair costs if one of your horses decides to have a kicking fit.
Contact Your Horse Property Specialists
If you have any more questions about how to plan your horse barn or about horse properties in general, we’re always here to help. Feel free to shoot us a message at our contact page, and remember to check this blog periodically, as we’ll be updating it with more tips for managing your horses and their properties.
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