subject: Turning Pole Barns Into Horse Shelters [print this page] Turning Pole Barns Into Horse Shelters Turning Pole Barns Into Horse Shelters
Several types of buildings fall under the category of "horse shelters": horse barns, run-in sheds, and riding arenas. All three have different purposes. Horse barns, for example, are where an owner keeps his or her animals, while the run-in shed provides shade for animals moving around outdoors. Riding arenas, similarly, are exercise or practice areas for horses. If you own horses and want to expand your space options, consider adding pole buildings for all of these uses.
A pole building can be the framework for each of these structures. On a basic level, a pole barn with sides removed is a sturdy run-in shed. Pole barn kits for large and tall buildings can become a riding arena. Horse barns, on the other hand, are places for storing your animals and everything they need. If you plan to create a horse barn from a pole building kit, additional modifications to meet outdoor building codes are needed.
Before you even lay the foundation for the horse shelter, the right location needs to be chosen. First, think about zoning laws. Generally, states or towns require a horse shelter to be 40 feet from property lines and 100 feet from all neighboring buildings. If you own horses, a shelter is required, and the animals inside additionally need to be kept in a corral or stall.
The placement of the shelter on your property is also important, not only for following zoning laws but also for the comfort of your animals. In order to prevent water buildup, the horse shelter should be located on slightly elevated land to create run off. As the sun and wind influence the temperatures of horse shelters, having your building in a place that will be warmed by the sun in winter and cooled by wind in summer makes your animals more comfortable.
In addition to warming and cooling, let nature also provide the horse shelter's air circulation. Natural ventilation always keeps air circulating inside, and adding a vent to the roof of the horse shelter allows this to happen. Once air is allowed to circulate, dust, odors, and germs are less likely to accumulate. Ridge vents are the most common for this use, but cupolas and clerestory vents provide the same features.
