Modular Horse Barns and Horses in Virginia

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     Horse ownership in Virginia has changed dramatically over the years, thanks in large part to the quantum shift from horse racing (and breeding) to pleasure and trail riding. And with the majority of expenses related to horse ownership involving feeding, bedding, boarding and improvements, horse barns and run in sheds become paramount to an efficient operation, whether you have horses, donkeys or ponies. Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses are still among Virginia's two most popular horse breeds (with Tennessee Walkers and Arabians rounding out the top four) of course,so choosing the right horse barn for your own "equine industry" is essential, both with regard to the type of horse barn you require as well as the ability to create and adapt your barns and stables accordingly.

Because there are a variety of reasons behind why you have horses in the first place, it's important to consider your objectives when selecting a boarding facility. If you have a big horse operation, your needs are different from someone who has horses they keep as pets, and if you are involved in competitive horse events like dressage, or hunters and jumpers, you may need something entirely different from the kids at 4H who are going for confirmation and disposition. Modular storage barns offer a wide range of options, allowing you to customize your operation according to how many horses, you have, how involved you are in the competitive horse industry, the size of your property, whether you need additional space for tack, where to store feed, and how frequently or infrequently you engage in recreational riding. Additionally, you need to consider how your own horse operation impacts the environment, and how to incorporate the best management practices to ensure that both your horses and your community benefit from one another.

Selecting the right location for your barn is the number one priority of course, and with such varied terrain in Virginia, that task alone can be daunting. You need easy access to the road and a connection to utilities, plus you also need a site that drains well in wet weather and which doesn't act as a wind tunnel during storms. Be aware that you need your manure barn downwind of the house, and your barn's delivery area where it's less visible to passersby. If you need to incorporate parking at your facility, you don't want it to interfere with horse traffic. Other considerations include where feed and water are in relation to the horses themselves, how wide the aisles are, air flow in each stall, as well as lighting, flooring and overall security. Modular horse barns help solve most of these problems because of how easy they are to customize according to your needs, and the needs of your horses, to create a boarding facility you are both comfortable with!

With horse ownership exploding in Virginia, boarding solutions, particularly versatile and affordable boarding solutions, are paramount to a safe, healthy relationship for both you and your equine empire. And modular horse barns and run in sheds may be just the place to start.