Horse Barns: A Well-Made One Can Save Time, Money And Effort

For people who own horses, they are like family and deserve to be treated like one. Unfortunately, unlike dogs, they cannot be kept indoors and a barn has to be built for them. A good horse barn should be well-ventilated, have sufficient leg room for the horses, should be easy to clean and have enough space for a food manger and drinking water buckets.

To me the ideal horse barn would be the one that I chanced upon in Virginia, in a cottage situated between Greater Richmond and Fredericksburg. It was airy, roomy, had natural light, the horses could actually move around, every stall had a fan and the many doors and exits, ensured that waste could be cleared without having to be carted long distances.

Location Should Be The First Priority:

The first thing to consider when you are thinking of acquiring a barn is where you are going to have it installed. It should be at a convenient distance from your house, so that everything can be monitored conveniently. Yet it should be far enough, so that the noise and smell does not become a bother. It should have easy access to roads, so that trailers and manure movers can have simple access to it. Dragging wheelbarrows full of feed can be extremely exhaustive if the barn is located uphill. Also spare a thought for the horses and remember that they get easily agitated and frightened of loud noises, so select the location in as quiet an area as possible.

Determine The Size Of The Barn:

How many horses you have and how many do you intend to have in the near future will determine the size of the barn. Ideally there should be one stall for each horse. The stalls should be adjacent to each other and unless the horse is really huge, a stall around 20 square yards should suffice. Add space for an aisleway that should cut through the centre of the barn. The aisleway should be sufficiently broad for effortless access for wheelbarrows, machines and other equipment.

Each Stall Should Be Self Sufficient:

The stalls should be large enough for the horse to turn around easily and also to sit and sleep with enough leg space still available. There should be a bucket for hay and also a bucket for water. Put additional rubber mats on the floor, which will allow the horses a soft surface on which they can relax. Summer heat can be oppressive, so ensure that there is a lot of ventilation and free-flow of air. Ceiling fans should be installed to ensure that the horses remain cool and comforted.

Three Storage Areas Are Compulsory:

There should be one for tack and saddles and bridles, another for feed. If hay is kept outside of the barn, than it will vulnerable to outdoor elements, whereas inside it will be covered and protected. The third storage area is for the basic cleaning equipment and other gear.

Establish The Size And Then Order One Size Bigger:

Plan for tomorrow, rather than base your barn size on current needs. It is better to build a bigger one today, rather than add on later. Many owners of single horses actually look to board their horses in other people's barns. You could earn extra money and offset the extra-expenses that you incur today, by doing so. Build a couple of extra stalls and until you have horses to fill them use them for storage. Always construct a few extra doors. If you are not going to use them, you can keep them closed. Have doors on both ends, so that you can sweep dirt straight outside the barn.

Call In The Experts:

Seek expert advice. The professionals are the best people to help you take decisions that will create the perfect barn and one that your horses will love to live in. Byler Barns, backyard storage experts, serving the people in the Greater Richmond and Fredericksburg areas are barn builders who can turn your dreams into reality. They have been the first-choice people to go to, when it comes to creating equine facilities, in Virginia.