Every horse owner has a checklist for their dream barn. A functioning space should be one of the most important things. You want your horse’s home to be safe and secure!
Check out these helpful tips!
- A 12 ft by 12 ft stall is ideal. That’ll allow your horse to move around comfortably, but it won’t take forever to clean.
- Each stall should have at least an 8 ft divider. It can have gaps in-between the boards though.
- All edges in your stall should be rounded.
- The aisle should be 12 ft or wider, which allows you to comfortably turn your horse around.
- Good barn ventilation is a must! This can be achieved with vents along the eaves and highest peaks.
- Store your hay in another location. Excessive moisture from the hay can become a fire hazard.
- Machinery should be separated with a fire-rated wall.
- Make sure your circuit breakers are up-to-date.
- A fire extinguisher should be kept in an easily accessible space.
- Feed and tack rooms should be placed in the center of a barn for convenience.
- Build your barn on the highest part of your land. This will help with drainage.
- Face the barn so it can utilize the summer wind and winter sun.
- Skylights provide lots of natural light.
- Each stall should have a light roughly 10 ft or higher.
- It’s ideal to have a short-term manure pile near the barn and then a long-term pile further away.
- Invest in good-quality stall mats. You’ll be able to cut down on sawdust!
- Be careful of bare concrete; it’s slippery! Rubber mats in the aisle can add traction.
- An indoor wash stall can be very practical for year-round bathing and grooming.
- Automatic waterers will ensure your horse always has fresh drinking water.
- Check with your county and local township before you begin any kind of construction.
Whether a new construction or remodel, it’s important your barn meets your current and future needs.
