Horse shelter

[Sigarms]

Farmer came by and wanted to use some of our pasture for five of his horses.

This is something down the road the wife and I thought about, but from what I read, horses are like boats, perhaps even more money and time.

Two questions...

All of our property is barbed wire. Is this a problem? The farmer said no.

Can anyone direct me on where to look for plans for a horse shed/barn/shelter? Asked the farmer about this (shelter for horses) and he mentioned that the horses didn't need any shelter. I know horses didn't need shelter in the "old days" however I know what my wife will say and what "my gut" says...it only seems right to provide something for the animal. Perhaps were wrong, I don't know.

Just may say no to the guy, but it does have me thinking.

Anyone go down this road before?

 

[Tororider]

My Sister and Brother and Law just bought a new horse property and in one of the pastures they have a couple horse shelters. I would say they are pretty much three sided sheds, the open side being the south side. The top/roof is probably at 30 degree angle. I will see if I can get a picture next time I go out there but I would guess that it is 12-15 feet across and 8-10 deep. Probably didn't help, but I will see if I can get a picture.

 

[bearhawk]

Up here you are required to provide a three sided shelter "At the minimum" for a horse that is left outside.

 

[Diesel-ME]

You often see 3-sided run-ins because when horses are put together in mixed company (that is to say combinations of horses where you may see some serious jockying for dominance) the missing side is for a horse to escape from the "danger" imposed by the would-be alpha horse. It keeps them from feeling like they are boxed in.


~paul

 

[WarrenF]

You could make a Straw Barn. Make the structure three sided. Put posts into the ground at the proper distance. Put chicken wire on one side of your posts and the roof. Stack straw bales, conventional or small bales, up against the chicken wire and between your posts. Put loose straw...about eight inches deep on the chicken wire on the roof. Then fasten chicken wire on the outside of the straw bales to keep them all together, and also on the roof to keep it from blowing off.

Gives a bit more insulating against the elements and all you need to go is periodically put more straw in the walls and on the roof.

 

[deereguy]

About a year ago someone did a threat about the sheds/run-ins they built for their horses/animals. My family bought a horse farm in 2005, they had many paddocks seperated by fiberglass posts with electro/aluminum braided wire but not one shelter in the paddocks. The previous owner bred and raised 60-80 Belgian horses, they had large barns for housing but had to lead the horses to the barns.
Might check out (Google) how much pasture rent is. You might get an eye opening as to how low pasture rent really is.

 

[chh]

I found this link awhile back.


http://bioengr.PlanList97.htm#General Barn and Utility Shed Plansag.utk.edu/extension/ExtPubs/

 

[Cottonhawk]

Horses need to have shelters to stay out of the wet and cold.

 

[riptides]

Farmer came by and wanted to use some of our pasture for five of his horses..... Anyone go down this road before?

Gosh.... yes....

IMHO get waivers and disclaimers signed to take you out of any liability issues.

Sorry, but you MUST protect YOUR interests.

The barb wire isn't a problem until the horse goes through it. Seriously, some people will say they never had issues with it. And while true, the first time a horse gets into it, may be the last.

Our property was an old diary property. ALL the barbed wire is coming down. It will have new cattle wire, and electric tape for the cow/horse pastures.
I have spent over a year removing wire, and I am not done.

On shelters, this past w/e I was at a home expo center show. I got a custom quote for a 12X24 metal three sided shelter, entrance way 12 foot high, to pitch mush be 16 feet, for about 3300. Installed.

I cannot build one from scratch for that price. I have built run-ins and equipment sheds before, and that price will make me go that way. I can line it with boards to prevent the kick-outs.

Good luck.

-Mike Z.

 

[Jimbrown]

Well there is barbwire all over the place out here. I have never had a problem with it. Perhaps western horses are used to it. Do a search for mare motels and loafing sheds. Here is mine. I have since inclosed in three sides of it.