Horse barn? Time,etc?!?

[Fuddy1952]

I bought adjoining land to my place, bought new tractor, equipment, etc. I've been installing fences, gates.
Here's my dilemma...hoping for advice.
Wife wants a horse, we had them when we met as teenagers. Now, 47 years later it's been a dream to have a couple horses.
A reputable local contractor company built garages, etc. for me in the past, so I spoke to them over a year ago. They stay swamped with work. (In their defence I did have to wait for fence completion, and I've had different design ideas, and stupidly said no rush). Then their foreman/manager was indisposed.
However, I signed a contract and paid a 10% deposit OVER 2 MONTHS AGO! I called and it's the weather, no helpers, etc,etc.
Contract was for a 30x40ft equipment and hay storage shed...then stable about 150ft away. BUT...1) I never get a call from them, 2) I've never heard from the excavator who does their preparation.
I did get other estimates months ago, way more expensive.
Point is, we're not getting any younger. It's a quandary. What to do???
I'd like to use them, but now I'm thinking (as wife suggested) to downsize plans...just one building instead of two.

Thanks!

 

[tcreeley]

Move on - tell them you are going to with a deadline and if they show up good. If not find someone else.
Horses need company, at least a pony. One horse will be too lonely. Also plan to build them a run-in in barn with wide doors- that you can close up into stalls. They like the run - in. My two use it to get away from the bugs and sun but are otherwise outside. The hay is stored overhead on the second floor. *warmer in winter. I have a 30x30 barn. Two floors. I have a run-in, one 15x15 enclosed stall and a 10x15 tackroom/feed room (and stairway). - Take the time to choose your design carefully- you will appreciate it through the years. Here is a back and front view. I built it myself. The horses use the door by the hay elevator that is left open year round. The smaller door behind the elevator is for our convenience into the stall. The stall has a 4' outside door and a 4' interior door. Cross ties, feed bins, hay racks are all available to use.

 

[mddorange]

When I bought my place, there was a 100' x 36' horse barn on it. It has 8 stalls in one end and the other end is an open area with the tack room at the far end. Yes, the hay is on the second floor.

As tcreeley stated,some proper planning now will save on changes later.

 

[Fuddy1952]

We'll have two, and possibly a burro. The next door neighbor's have three mares already, there's the fence where they can socialize and their barn down over the pasture.
It's just frustrating. The company I've used over the years always did a good job, I paid cash. As time goes by it's starting to lose the charm.

 

[CobyRupert]

They know how many projects they have in front of them.
Ask them so you know too and can decide if acceptable.

 

[zzvyb6]

The horses don't really need an indoor stall ("If you keep the horses out of the barn, you'll keep the Vet Dr. out, too."). All they need is protection from the weather. So, a 3 sided run-in with a roof is easily built by you, perhaps.

The hay needs a barn though, to keep it dry, free from mice, nesting squirrels, birds. The hay storage needs to be right there where you feed so you don't have to move it after delivery or loading. Above the horse stalls is often done, but without ventilation, horses give off A LOT of humidity, so you can get bales molding when stored above them.

For temporary hay storage, consider a shipping container or an old semi-trailer . It needs ventilation though because air pressure changes will draw in moisture.

IMHO the hay elevator shown in the photo is way too short (That's why the broken bales under it). Sometimes 1 will tumble back on you and someone may get hit by it. Or one tumbles off and makes a mess. One with a transport carriage is also recommended. I made one myself with some square tubing, some cart wheels and a cable winch. With a trailer hitch on it, I move it into place with my golf cart.

 

[Streetcar]

They know how many projects they have in front of them.
Ask them so you know too and can decide if acceptable.

+1 you told them you were not in a hurry, they have not missed schedule yet

 

[KYErik]

Like others have said, the horse will need a "friend". In my experience, a goat will be an inexpensive "friend" and will eat many weeds in your pasture that the horse won't touch. I also agree with a three sided shed. I have been around cows all my life but was amazed at watching my horse just stand outside in a cold rain or heavy cold snow rather than standing under the cover of his shelter.

 

[Wakey]

We'll have two, and possibly a burro. The next door neighbor's have three mares already, there's the fence where they can socialize and their barn down over the pasture.
It's just frustrating. The company I've used over the years always did a good job, I paid cash. As time goes by it's starting to lose the charm.View attachment 583725

Nice!

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'm leaning towards the one's pictured. With overhangs on other side I could store some equipment. It could have a sliding door to pull in, unload hay.
I stopped by and talked to them this afternoon, they said late February, early March. The grading if I had it done would speed it up.
We've had rain all the time and that's what's been pushing them behind.View attachment 583829

 

[tcreeley]

The horses don't really need an indoor stall ("If you keep the horses out of the barn, you'll keep the Vet Dr. out, too."). All they need is protection from the weather. So, a 3 sided run-in with a roof is easily built by you, perhaps.

The hay needs a barn though, to keep it dry, free from mice, nesting squirrels, birds. The hay storage needs to be right there where you feed so you don't have to move it after delivery or loading. Above the horse stalls is often done, but without ventilation, horses give off A LOT of humidity, so you can get bales molding when stored above them.

For temporary hay storage, consider a shipping container or an old semi-trailer . It needs ventilation though because air pressure changes will draw in moisture.

IMHO the hay elevator shown in the photo is way too short (That's why the broken bales under it). Sometimes 1 will tumble back on you and someone may get hit by it. Or one tumbles off and makes a mess. One with a transport carriage is also recommended. I made one myself with some square tubing, some cart wheels and a cable winch. With a trailer hitch on it, I move it into place with my golf cart.

The bale that breaks is due to loose strings. The bales go up easily and stay on the conveyor. When done we just use the fel on the tractor to lift and slide the conveyor up into the barn where it sits until the following summer. - Any good barn has good ventilation. We've never had mold on the hay storing it up on the 2nd floor. No critters either! I like the possibility of a stall in case I have to isolate a horse due to injury or vet treatment. When we got our arab as a 14 month old, she was tacked up in a stall, and learned stall manners and cross tie manners without the distraction of another horse.

 

[tcreeley]

I'm leaning towards the one's pictured. With overhangs on other side I could store some equipment. It could have a sliding door to pull in, unload hay.
I stopped by and talked to them this afternoon, they said late February, early March. The grading if I had it done would speed it up.
We've had rain all the time and that's what's been pushing them behind.View attachment 583829View attachment 583830

Very nice barn set up! Many uses as well!

 

[EddieWalker]

Here, there are dozens of places that you can buy a pre-built building and have it delivered the next day. Loafing shed is all you need for a horse. Three walls and a roof. Mine is 12 by 12 with an extended porch over it and all five horses go in there easily. I actually have two areas for them, but they all crowd together in the one. I also have 9 goats that squeeze in there with them instead of going to the other one. Seems like everyone likes to be as close together as they can.

 

[Streetcar]

Horses will injury themselves or need treatment for illness. You will want somewhere to lock them up stalls are needed

 

[TheMan419]

T The hay storage needs to be right there where you feed so you don't have to move it after delivery or loading. Above the horse stalls is often done, but without ventilation, horses give off A LOT of humidity, so you can get bales molding when stored above them.

Storing the hay in the same barn as the horses is asking for disaster. The hay is literally fuel for the fire. My insurance company gives a nice discount because we store the hay in a separate structure. They are 100 ft or so apart from each other. If the hay goes up I lose my tractor and some implements, but the value of those pales in comparison to the value of the horses. That is not account for the emotional value of the wife and boarders attachments to the animals.

We keep no more than a few days worth of hay in the stall barn. The rest is in a separate barn.

Also when building however big you think it needs to be.... add on at least 25%.

Figure your hay needs for the year and determine if you can build storage for that and can buy it all at once. If not know that you will pay the hay guy for storing it for you. I can get about 65% of my years needs into the barn. Now considering building another structure. If I do it will be enough to also store 65% of my needs. That way I have extra space

 

[DrRod]

a. If you have been calling the contractor, I would stop by in person. Its a lot harder to puts someone off when they are standing there than it is when they are a disembodied voice on the phone.

b. My one recommendation for a barn/shed is to have an over shot or drive through attachment so that you can pull your tractor and attachments in and then pull out again without backing up. My current layout doesn't permit this and I wish for it every time I have to do a three-point turn while avoiding damaging one of the out-buildings.

 

[sd455dan]

Like others have said, the horse will need a "friend". In my experience, a goat will be an inexpensive "friend" and will eat many weeds in your pasture that the horse won't touch. I also agree with a three sided shed. I have been around cows all my life but was amazed at watching my horse just stand outside in a cold rain or heavy cold snow rather than standing under the cover of his shelter.

HeHeHe Goats are "inexpensive friends", we keep two pygmy's - if there is One thing they excel at it is making messes but they do have character for sure. They do keep the horses and barn cats entertained.

agree with a 3 sided shed or runouts if storing hay in the same barn as the horses. If a fire does happen they can get away from it that way.
Actually wouldn't have a horse barn without run outs.

It is amazing that horses choose not to come in out of the rain or snow sometimes. Ours do the same thing.