Tips to Consider when Building a Horse Barn
Our Best Horse Barn Upgrades
Are you thinking of building a new horse barn or remodeling your current one? Do you know which materials should you use for the floors and walls? What features and accessories would help increase your barn's functionality?
If these questions are resonating with you and you are up to any of the plans. Then you have to consider some tips before acting out your plan. So that you can get an effective and properly functioning horse barn.
Upgrades to Consider:
Build Larger Stalls
One of the first things to consider while creating your barn's construction plan is the size of your stalls. According to equestrian experts, a horse's stall should be no smaller than 12' x 12'. Anything smaller will restrict your horse's movement within their own stall. In case you have miniature horses or ponies you can then build a smaller barn. Having a larger stall will allow your horses to turn around, lie down and sleep comfortably, creating a healthy, relaxing space for them. Hence the size of your barn's stalls is the main thing to be considered before starting to build or remodel it. It gives you a clear understanding of what can be easily managed in that size and how elegantly you can design that space for your horses.
Barn Ventilation
It is necessary to ensure your barn’s ventilation to protect your animals from respiratory problems due to moist and dusty airflow. You can either use exhaust fans to remove stale air, heat, or can provide an open space above stalls to protect their ventilation. Also consider leaving the barn door open to allow fresh, clean air into the barn. Another solution is to install large livestock floor fans. These are a great option if you can afford the investment.
Ensure Pest Control
The most important threat to the well-being of your livestock is rodents. They can cause many diseases to your animals. The main reason for this threat is bundles of warm hay and many other grains. One must ensure pest control so that your animals can be kept safe from these rats and mice. Cleaning of the barn must also be ensured. Moreover, one must properly organize the feed into rodent-proof containers.
One of the most effect ways to lower your electricity bill to keep as many windows and doors open for natural light. It also allows fresh air into the barn, allowing cool breezes to lower your barns temperature. It not only eliminates high energy bills but also provides the opportunity to maintain good ventilation for your barn.
Proper Flooring
Choosing your preferred flooring is no simple tasks. With all the options available to us it is hard to decide which would be best for our horses. Concrete is by far the most common but other great options are rubber pavers, interlocking mats and porous asphalt. Know that whichever flooring you choose should be comfortable and soft on your horses and other barn animals soles.
Washing Stall
Installing horse washing space is probably one of the smartest upgrades you can build in your barn. You will not regret having an interior washing stall during the hot summer days or cold winter evening. If you are remodeling your current barn, it is easy to install a washing stall. Simply transfer an empty stall as a horse wash by installing a drainage system and an overhead hose.
Hence these are some tips to consider while building or remodeling your horse barn.
