How to Build a Small Horse Barn

Space, ventilation and safety are the keys to designing a good horse barn.

Horse owners seeking to build a small horse barn should focus on features that enhance the health and well-being of their animals. A horse barn must be designed with adequate space, light, ventilation and safety in mind. The easiest way to build a small horse barn is to purchase one of the many fine kits on the market, such as Morton building kits, prefabricated wooden barn kits, or other metal barn kits. These kits provide all the materials and full instructions you'll need to build a small horse barn. Whether you decide to convert an existing barn, build from a kit, or start from scratch, your attempt to build a small home for your horse will benefit from a few basics.

Things You'll Need

• Barn kit

Instructions

1. Select a location for the horse barn. Choose a spot that is on level ground. Visit the spot on a windy or stormy day and note which direction the prevailing winds come from, and position the barn so that the doors are pointed at about a 45-degree angle away from prevailing winds. This encourages good air circulation without a direct wind blowing through the barn. Be sure that electricity is nearby or can be easily run to the site and plumbing too for fresh water. Have a licensed electrician and plumber bring in the lines to the site.

2. Choose a barn layout that minimizes steps. Locate the tack and feed rooms, for example, near enough to the stalls so that you do not have to walk a great distance away. Make sure you can lock the tack room to secure tack; thieves often steal saddles, which retain resale value even when used. Plan a location for the manure pile or manure bin, equipment storage and hay storage.

3. Purchase a barn kit and choose the largest size you can afford. Horses require a 12-by-12 foot box stall or better still, 14-by-14 feet. Plan on one stall per horse. Whether you choose a center-aisle barn or one with stalls opening directly to the outside, make sure that the stalls are of adequate size. Anything smaller may be suitable for ponies or miniature horses, but not for most horse breeds.

4. Follow the instructions if you use a barn kit to construct the barn. You will probably need to pour concrete for the foundation. If pouring concrete, you can either use concrete flooring under stalls or plain dirt. Many horseman believe dirt is better and softer on horses' legs and hooves, but you can add rubber stall mats if you are concerned about having your horses stand on concrete.

5. Follow a blueprint if you're building a barn yourself. Always have a professional install electricity and plumbing. Electric light fixtures inside a barn should be very high up on the ceiling. Horses can rear when frightened, and can die from a blow to the head, such as from hitting a light fixture. Bulbs should be in cages and florescent fixtures enclosed in the fixture itself.

6. Understand that ventilation and natural light encourage good health in horses. Be sure that any barn plan or kit includes use of ventilation screens, fans and windows. Stall partitions can be solid or use metal grills at the top so that horses can see one another and air can flow among the stalls.

Tips & Warnings

• Check local ordinances and building codes to see if you can keep horses on your property and if you need a building permit.

• Watch for protruding nails and screws; cover or remove to prevent scratches and cuts on horses.

• If you think concrete floors are hard on hooves and legs, use rubber stall mats or leave stall areas with a dirt flooring.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Equisearch: Tips from a Professional Barn Builder
• Apple Valley Barns: Barn Plans
• Morton Buidlings: Barn Kits