Providing shelter for your horse can mean anything from a tree in a pasture to a nice, big barn. If you are in the market for a horse shelter, or would like to add one to your pasture, consider a horse’s basic requirements when reviewing design options.
Healthy horses can withstand cold temperatures, but when it’s windy as well, they can lose a considerable amount of body heat. This situation worsens when a horse is wet from rain or snow. Horses should be provided with a place where they can get out of extreme heat, driving rain and wind, and severe cold temperatures. This can be anything from a basic run-in shed to larger structure.
Location Considerations
- When choosing the location for your shelter look for a high, well-drained area.
- Stay as far away as possible from creeks, wetlands and ditches, and watch that hills or sloping ground behind or near your structure don’t create drainage issues.
- Locate the shelter facing away from prevailing weather patterns.
- Consider convenient accessibility – both for people and for vehicles that might need access.
- Be sure that alleys and paths are wide enough for your wheelbarrows and other equipment.
- Utilities are another consideration. Plan to bring in the utilities you need in the early stages.
- Shelters, barns and other areas, such as manure storage, should be located a minimum of 100’ away from wellheads, or as dictated by local regulations.
- Septic drain fields should not be used for any horse activity so as not to damage or compact the soil and create a possible failure.
- Check your local zoning and building codes before starting your project.
- Choose a location where odors, dust, flies and noise won’t upset neighbors.
Building Considerations
- A three-sided, roofed, run-in shed can provide excellent shelter, and may be the most natural for a horse to utilize.
- When designing your shelter, consider including a rodent-proof, horse-proof area to store feed and bedding supplies for chore efficiency.
- The flooring in your stall or shelter should be dry and level. Rubber mats on top of six inches of compacted gravel provide an excellent surface with some cushioning.
- If you build walls they should be strong, smooth and free of projections. They should be at least eight feet high and extend to the ground, so a horse cannot get its legs caught when lying down.
- Be aware of metal siding used for horse buildings: horses can easily kick through metal siding and can also injure themselves on any unfinished, sharp edges.
- Provide enough space: stall size for a horse is typically 12’x12’, or 10’x10′ for a small horse or pony. A minimum of 12’x20’ is recommended for two horses. If horses housed together don’t get along, consider a divider, or make separate areas to avoid injuries.
- Feeding on sand or muddy ground can lead to ingestion of dirt, causing serious digestion problems; rubber matting can work well to help provide a clean feeding area.
- Avoid competition when you feed – include separate feed stations in your design.
- Plan for convenient access to compost bins so it’s quick and easy to keep your shelter area clean.
- Consider fire safety and prevention; have wiring placed in conduit, outlets or switches placed out of a horse’s reach, and all electrical work done by a qualified professional.
Good luck and good horse keeping to you!
