New Horse Owner, Any tips would be welcome!

[res]

That is better, but not built correctly or strong enough, and a horse will knock it down in a second. You will also need to line the bottom 4' with at least 1/2" plywood to prevent a hoof going thru the sheet metal.

The roof in this model is not built properly, and a good wind would likely peel that roof right off...

You need to find engineered plans online for a pole building/shed/barn or else a portable run-in shelter. I would NOT base my construction on random images from the internet, because many times, like this example, they are built incorrectly and unsafe.

 

[res]

These are some photos from our most recent structure that we built. Notice the differences? This is built per engineered blueprints, that were purchased ~20 years ago. We have built enough of these over the years that we don't even have to get the blueprints out anymore. We just use our memory....

This shed was for a tractor, so we did not line the interior, nor did we put in as many "horizontal" 2x4's as we would have if it were to house livestock.

 

[Saint_ Marwenne_Chickens]

https://www.backyardherds.com/

 

[Kusanar]

Definantly need to line the inside walls with plywood ( and something strong enough they won't kick through), my farrier learned that the hard way. He has a run in with a horizontal bar 3 feet off the ground on the inside, and the outside is sheet metal. His wife's horse somehow got his hind leg up over that 3 foot high board, went down between the board and the metal and all but cut his hoof off. He said they had to shovel the blood up there was that much. He was barely standing when they found him and had to put him down.

 

[ChickyMama229]

That is better, but not built correctly or strong enough, and a horse will knock it down in a second. You will also need to line the bottom 4' with at least 1/2" plywood to prevent a hoof going thru the sheet metal.

The roof in this model is not built properly, and a good wind would likely peel that roof right off...

You need to find engineered plans online for a pole building/shed/barn or else a portable run-in shelter. I would NOT base my construction on random images from the internet, because many times, like this example, they are built incorrectly and unsafe.

I have a book I saw from the library on plans for horse barns, maybe I can rent that and look up a simple design that is meant to put horses in it.

 

[ChickyMama229]

These are some photos from our most recent structure that we built. Notice the differences? This is built per engineered blueprints, that were purchased ~20 years ago. We have built enough of these over the years that we don't even have to get the blueprints out anymore. We just use our memory....

This shed was for a tractor, so we did not line the interior, nor did we put in as many "horizontal" 2x4's as we would have if it were to house livestock.

View attachment 1140760 View attachment 1140761 View attachment 1140762

Wow, my woodworking level is waayyy below that. But we do have some friends who built gorgeous houses and barns, maybe we can get them to help us.

 

[ChickyMama229]

Definantly need to line the inside walls with plywood ( and something strong enough they won't kick through), my farrier learned that the hard way. He has a run in with a horizontal bar 3 feet off the ground on the inside, and the outside is sheet metal. His wife's horse somehow got his hind leg up over that 3 foot high board, went down between the board and the metal and all but cut his hoof off. He said they had to shovel the blood up there was that much. He was barely standing when they found him and had to put him down.

Wow, that's too bad. I will look in that book then. Thank you all!

 

[perchie.girl]

In my case half inch thick would not be thick enough. I personally saw my girl punch an eight inch diameter Hole in half inch thick... and the chunk of ply wood that was removed went about twelve feet out from the round pen she was in.

Building structures for live stock Isnt rocket science... but you should have an experienced person build your first... There are prefab structures you can buy and put together yourself... But Like I said... paying attention to things like

Height- At least eight feet at the lowest point

Strength- Vertical supports should be at least four by four or better yet six by six or larger ...

Pitch of roof- Depending on rain or snow and how much.... Here the roofs can almost be flat we only get ten inches of rain per year... and

Wind... here in the desert we get days of 40-50 mile per hour gusts... enough to make the window screens on the house Scream.

Fasteners- If I were building out of wood I would use good Screws not nails... Nails back out eventually

Type of wood- Pressure treated wont rot as quickly but is poisonous and should be covered over Because some horses chew on fencing....

spacing of supports- Someone mentioned a leg and tin and an aweful accident... Seen that more than once... shudder

Then there is the type of ground you are building it on.... is it: Sandy or Clay or Decomposed Granite... and what is underneath that...

All these items above an experienced person would know how... Best you can do is grab pictures to show an experienced person what you are aiming for.

Storing feed and gear should be done in a separated space... I have never had the pleasure of owning a barn. But in boarding facilities worse case you bring in a trunk or locker for your gear... the hay and grain will be stored in a central location for ease of management.

Hay HAS to be kept dry. Therfore it needs to be off the ground and protected from the elements.... This includes Dew. Grain should be stored in HOrse proof bins... It too needs to be off the ground if bagged and Dry.

Both Hay and Grain are Flamable... Even the dust... So your hay storage area should be regularly swept or raked and the little bits taken away from the storage area...

Finally Manure.... Manure management is essential to the health of your horse... IN boarding facilities I have seen it done as little as once a week but Ideally cleaning the corral should be done every day

Remember input equals out put.... If your horse eats 120 pounds a week they will out put more than 120 pounds.... because it goes in dry and comes out wet.... simplest answer.

IF you are keeping your horse at home yourself check the ordinances of manure management. Here in the rural parts of San Diego Manure MUST be removed from the property by people who have facilities to deal with it. It cannot go in the regular trash... Like in a dumpster.

Oh and Manure piles are flammable too. So that compost heap needs to be tended turned occasionally.... I have seen Manure piles Burn for weeks... before the ordinances

deb

 

[ChickyMama229]

In my case half inch thick would not be thick enough. I personally saw my girl punch an eight inch diameter Hole in half inch thick... and the chunk of ply wood that was removed went about twelve feet out from the round pen she was in.

Building structures for live stock Isnt rocket science... but you should have an experienced person build your first... There are prefab structures you can buy and put together yourself... But Like I said... paying attention to things like

Height- At least eight feet at the lowest point

Strength- Vertical supports should be at least four by four or better yet six by six or larger ...

Pitch of roof- Depending on rain or snow and how much.... Here the roofs can almost be flat we only get ten inches of rain per year... and

Wind... here in the desert we get days of 40-50 mile per hour gusts... enough to make the window screens on the house Scream.

Fasteners- If I were building out of wood I would use good Screws not nails... Nails back out eventually

Type of wood- Pressure treated wont rot as quickly but is poisonous and should be covered over Because some horses chew on fencing....

spacing of supports- Someone mentioned a leg and tin and an aweful accident... Seen that more than once... shudder

Then there is the type of ground you are building it on.... is it: Sandy or Clay or Decomposed Granite... and what is underneath that...

All these items above an experienced person would know how... Best you can do is grab pictures to show an experienced person what you are aiming for.

Storing feed and gear should be done in a separated space... I have never had the pleasure of owning a barn. But in boarding facilities worse case you bring in a trunk or locker for your gear... the hay and grain will be stored in a central location for ease of management.

Hay HAS to be kept dry. Therfore it needs to be off the ground and protected from the elements.... This includes Dew. Grain should be stored in HOrse proof bins... It too needs to be off the ground if bagged and Dry.

Both Hay and Grain are Flamable... Even the dust... So your hay storage area should be regularly swept or raked and the little bits taken away from the storage area...

Finally Manure.... Manure management is essential to the health of your horse... IN boarding facilities I have seen it done as little as once a week but Ideally cleaning the corral should be done every day

Remember input equals out put.... If your horse eats 120 pounds a week they will out put more than 120 pounds.... because it goes in dry and comes out wet.... simplest answer.

IF you are keeping your horse at home yourself check the ordinances of manure management. Here in the rural parts of San Diego Manure MUST be removed from the property by people who have facilities to deal with it. It cannot go in the regular trash... Like in a dumpster.

Oh and Manure piles are flammable too. So that compost heap needs to be tended turned occasionally.... I have seen Manure piles Burn for weeks... before the ordinances

deb

Thank you so much for this information. I will definitely keep the hay and feed dry inside the barn. I will write all of this down so I can look back on it when I am planning the barn.