How to Build a Horse Shed
Horses are creatures that have survived for millions of years out in the wild with no help from humans. It might seem that they need nothing more than food and water. While this may be true in a basic sense, tame horses have become much more dependent on humans for their health care, and the need for shelter from the elements is one area in which our modern horses differ from their wild relatives. This article will give you the basics on how to build a simple horse shed, which will keep your horse happy and healthy.
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Things You'll Need
- lumber 4-by-4 posts concrete siding nails power tools hammer roofing nails sand
Instructions
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Building a Horse Shed
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1
Select a spot to build the shed that is high, dry, and not prone to flooding. This is extremely important, so make sure to choose well.
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2
Create a pad by elevating the area on which the shed will be built by bringing in sand to a depth of 18 inches. This further raises the building site and will also drain urine and other liquids away from the inside of the shed.
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3
Sink the corner posts into the earth at least 24 inches and set them in concrete for 48 hours or more. These corner posts need to be 4 by 4s or larger to support the weight of the frame and the roof.
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4
Frame the shed with lumber. Ideally, there should be a brace post at every 12 feet of length. Any more and there is risk of instability to the shed in high winds and under the abuse of the animals themselves. A bottom plank, middle plank, and top plank are needed for the framework.
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5
Fill in the walls with either lumber or siding. Remember from the ground to a minimum of 4 feet up, the shed needs to be solid lumber to prevent the horses from kicking through any metal exterior siding used. The shed must also be roofed. Metal roofing is the most economical and lasts longer than wood and shingles.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you take the time to do the job right the first time around. It is better to take longer and do a thorough job than to do a poor job and spend more time and money repairing it than it cost to build to begin with.
Always follow the directions on any power tools you may use.
