How to Build a Horse Barn

A horse barn can be simple or complex. It all depends on budget, space, and what it is needed for. A simple horse barn can house a single horse or other animals. A large number of horses would need a larger barn and it would be more expensive. A horse barn is only limited by your imagination, budget and need.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tools
• Lumber: plywood, posts, boards
• Nails
• Digging equipment
• Concrete (optional)

Planning

1. Determine what your needs are.

2. Plan your barn large enough for your animals to be safe, have adequate ventilation and drainage, be comfortable and be protected from the elements. It also needs to be efficient.

3. Draw a basic set of plans. This will help plan what you want it to look like and the size.

Building

4. Purchase your materials. Sizes and measurements will be based on the size of your barn.

5. Choose your site, if you haven't done so already.

6. Pour your concrete. A concrete floor is optional. Dirt floors are cheaper but make sure your location is not prone to flooding.

7. Set your corner posts and main supporting posts. These can be set in concrete to make them stronger.

8. Add a skid board along the bottom to connect the posts.

9. Add more horizontal boards. Start from the bottom and move up. There should be about 2 to 3 feet of space between the boards.

10. Build your roof before applying siding. A small barn can have a simple slope roof. A large barn needs a peak.

11. Attach the siding by starting at one end and work along the sides. Tin is easy, cheap and it can last a long time. Wood siding is very popular but is more expensive.

12. Add your inside walls and doors if you need them. Horse stall walls need to be about 4½ feet tall.