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As a horse owner, you try to provide the best possible space for your equines. However, most horse barn structures often tend to disappoint because of their wrong build, short lifespan, or highly expensive maintenance. So what do you do? Instead of just leaving your horses out and about on your farm, you should plan properly and design a sturdy, durable, comfortable, and cost-effective barn that fits all your essential needs.
There is a range of decisions to be made when choosing the ideal barn structures for your equestrian creatures — where to place them, how big they will be, what additional uses they will serve, and more. To optimally design and use the barn, you have to make a few considerations.
Maximum utility and improved operational flow: Top considerations for horse barns
Site mapping
The first step is to determine where you will be building your barn. Choose a site on your property that is in close proximity to your house and is easily accessible. This way, you wouldn’t have to walk for miles to see your horses. Also, carrying out activities like feeding your horses will be easier.
When choosing the site, you should ensure that it is properly leveled and allows for enough space to host your barn. Moreover, there should be proper space to set up an effective drainage system. The spot should also have an adequate power source.
You should pick the location, keeping in mind potential expansion plans. For instance, if you would like to attach a lean-to for your farm vehicles, then you are likely to require more space, so factor that in.
Utility and design
Depending on your use of the structure, you can design it to create an operational flow and maximize the functionality of the barn structures. Answer the following questions:
- Are you only utilizing the structure to house horses, or do you need extra storage space?
- Do you want to install a riding arena, too?
- What other amenities do you need to create in the metal horse barns?
- Do you require partitioned spaces?
- Would you need a lean-to attached to the barn?
These will help you determine the use and curate the right design for your barn.
Dimensions
Other important questions to consider are how many horses you plan to house, what their size is, and whether you require separate stalls for each.
Ideally, you should host your horses in separate stalls. The stall sizes can vary, depending on the size of your horses. They typically are:
| Horse size | Stall dimensions |
| Ponies or small horses | 8 feet wide and 10 feet long |
| Medium-sized horses | 10 feet wide and 12 feet long |
| Large horses | 12 feet wide and 12 feet long |
While 12 feet wide and 12 feet long is the generally acceptable size, if your horses are bigger, they might need more room for ease of movement. Upon understanding the use, storage requirements, and number of horses to host, you will be able to design the right barn dimensions for a comfortable stay for your equines.
Essential separate areas
There are a few must-haves to induct in your barns, especially when housing horses:
- Tack room: This is the perfect space to store your saddles, bridles, blankets, grooming kits, brushes, harnesses, and more. These are typically storage areas used to store horse-related tools along with keeping the dust out.
- Hay storage room: Feed and hay need separate areas to be stored. It is extremely vital that this area is free from any moisture to ensure that the quality of hay is maintained.
- Wash bay: Grooming areas like a wash bay are essential for bathing and grooming your horses. They should have a showerhead and proper storage of cleaning supplies. Moreover, concrete floors and proper drains are extremely important, as the area will get wet. It should ideally be at least 12 feet wide and 12 feet long for comfortable movement of your horses.
Storage spaces
If you plan to store your additional items like outdoor gear, gardening tools, or farming equipment in your metal horse barns, then you should determine adequate solutions for the ideal use of the structure.
You can use wall-mounted hooks, shelves, pegboards, slats, cabinets, and racks. You should opt for storage options that do not interfere with your daily operations or come in contact with your horses. You can also set up partitioned spaces.
Ensuring proper air ventilation
Barn structures without sufficient air circulation and ventilation can be extremely uncomfortable and impact the health of your equines. You can install a couple of ventilation equipment to regulate the airflow.
- Overhead ventilation: You can install 1-foot or 2-foot overhangs and add vented soffits on the barn’s sides to draw air inside the structure. Add ridge vents on the roof to release humid and warm air outside. You can also add eave vents on the roof to let air enter.
- Cupolas: With a cupola, you can effectively prevent hot or humid air from being trapped within the barn.
- Windows and doors: These are natural vents that help you by circulating airflow. You should strategically place doors and windows to get the best results.
- Fans: You can also add mechanical ventilation, like fans, to improve the flow of the air. These are recommended for larger structures.
Weather and Security
Depending on the local weather of your barn’s surroundings, you can make certain decisions to elongate the life of your metal horse barns, like:
| Normal climate | Moderate climate | Adverse climate |
| A regular roof that is bent on the sides | Boxed-eave or horizontal roof panels running from front to back. | Vertical roof with panels running from center to side to enable dust, debris, snow, and rain to slide off easily. |
| 14-gauge steel frames | 14-gauge steel frames | 12-gauge steel frames |
| 29-gauge sheets | 26-gauge sheets | 24-gauge sheets |
Other than harsh weather conditions, steel barns also protect your horses against pest and termite infestations. Due to their fire-resistant properties, these do not ignite or spread fire, protecting your animals.
Metal barn buildings also allow for easy integration of CCTV cameras, alarm systems, automated doors, and smart locks to enhance the security of your horses and protect them from potential theft.
Barn design
While barn dimensions are crucial to curating the right barn, there are several barn designs, and choosing a proper structure for your horses is imperative for their maximum comfort and operational efficiency.
- Carolina barns: Most suitable for horse barns, these structures have ample design potential, and they also have the ability to have enclosed as well as open spaces. This makes them highly versatile for setting up tack rooms and feeding and grooming areas in dedicated spaces. You can set up two full rows of stalls, which makes these ideal if you own multiple horses. These barns are also ideal if you need additional storage space. Higher ceilings also allow setting up a second story or utilizing vertical space.
- Shed-row barns: These are budget-conscious barns that are smaller in structure. Ideal for 1 to 3 horses, they are designed in an L-shape or a straight line. Offering easy access to your horses, they have simple designs and a covered overhang.
- Seneca barns: Also known as continuous roof barns, these are ideal if you want ample space to keep your equines. They are easy to design, and the layout can be customized as per your preferences.
- Gambrel barns: Due to their high and arched roof, these barns can be suitable for housing horses. They also provide immense headroom, allowing horse owners to stack hay and feed over the stalls. They also provide better airflow.
Other than the above-mentioned barns, trailside barns are small barns that are considered effective for housing a small number of horses. Whereas gable barns are the least preferred as they are only suitable for mild weather conditions and have space restrictions.
Flooring type
For an equine barn, flooring is one of the most crucial factors as your horses stand for long hours, and without proper flooring, they are likely to get hurt. To lower the burden on your horse’s hooves, the ideal floor should be dry, non-slippery, soft, and easy to maintain. While topsoil is an option, it will become damp and trap foul odors. Cement is also a likely option, but its hard nature can hurt equestrian creatures.
Lighting
Along with using multiple windows as a source of natural lighting, you should plan to add artificial lighting to your metal horse barns, too. Horses require as much light as possible, and they are likely to hurt themselves in dimly lit barns. You can install LEDs in every stall, alleys, and other areas meant for the use of your equines.
Insulation
For enhanced comfort of your horses, consider adding high R-value insulation, like spray foam or fiberglass blanket. This prevents the transfer of air, which means you can keep your barns warm in winter and cool in summer. Along with preventing health issues in your horses, insulation will also make the structure more energy efficient.
