How to Buy a Horse Barn
Horse barns provide essential housing for horses during brutal winter weather and harsh summer heat. While you can always build one on your property, buying a barn may be a more feasible option. If you're in the market for a barn, first outline your needs. The size of the overall barn and that of each stall, as well as the materials used, roof type and storage room, are all critical in determining the right horse barn.
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Instructions
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The size of the barn will largely depend on the number of horses you have. A stall space of 12 feet by 12 feet is recommended to allow horses sufficient room to move around.
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Map out the area in which you'd like the horse barn to be located. If you already own horses, consider the transportation costs before deciding.
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While wood is commonly used to build barns, steel or metal frames can provide added stability to the structure. If you choose a wood barn, make sure the wood is pressure treated. Horses may gnaw on cedar wood if it hasn't been treated.
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Make sure the barn's roof is properly ventilated and insulated. This ensures the horse barn stays cool in the summer months and warm in the winter.
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Inquire about the horse barn's electrical wiring. The wiring should all be sheathed in proper conduits and meet all safety standards.
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Confirm the horse barn has good water supply and storage capabilities. You'll need to provide fresh drinking water for the horses, so troughs are good solutions. You'll also need good water access to use in cleaning stalls. The barn must also drain well to prevent flooding.
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Establish a price range for your purchase. This will help to narrow down your choices and guide your hunting process.
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Contact real estate agents who specialize in barns and ranching realty. While horse barns are often featured as extensions of residential properties, there are also a bevy of them sold on their own.
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Inspect the horse barn completely prior to making a bid on the property. Have a property inspector out to report on the condition of the barn. If it requires work, use the report as leverage to lower the sale price.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the horse barn has adequate room to store your feed and tack. View several horse barns early in the process. This will help you get an idea of what you must have in the barn you purchase.
Avoid horse barns that are flimsily built. Horses are very powerful, so barns need to be sturdy.
