Winter is starting to creep in, which means cold, wet days are slowly approaching. If you’re a new horse owner, it’s time to consider building a run-in shelter for your horse – making it easily accessible for your equine friend to come and go as they please.
Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when constructing your run-in shelter:
1. Make the entrance large enough:
Due to quick, cleaning purposes, you want to ensure you make the entrance large enough for a tractor to gain access – otherwise, you’d have to do the cleaning by hand.
2. Make it portable:
You may find the spot you’ve chosen for your run-in shelter isn’t exactly an ideal spot. In that case, you’d want to move it. You can easily build it on wheels and transport it to anywhere on your property your heart desires.
3. Make it safe and secure:
Certain materials can make a noise during strong winds – which will prevent your horse from wanting to seek shelter. Ensure sharp nails are hidden and that the roof panels are tightly secured to prevent any unnecessary rattling.
4. Make the entrance accessible:
Avoid building the shelter where the entrance is obscured by objects such as trees or difficult terrain. In case your horse is immobile and needs transportation, you need an entrance that’s easily accessible.
5. Make it elevated:
Avoid flooding the shelter by elevating the structure, either on an existing heel or a piece of concrete slab. Rain storms can take over, but always be prepared for possible flooding by planning ahead of time.
Your run-in shelter can be as fancy as your budget allows, using bright colours and utilising fancy, durable wood to suit the rest of your property. Not only will it keep your horses safe during heavy rainstorms and hail, but your horses have the ability to come and go as they please when you’re not around during the day.
Tip: Don’t forget to add a colourful horse blanket or two to the mix, ensuring your horse is warm and well taken care of during cold, winter days.
You can find a wide variety here: Trident Equine Blankets
Source: http//horses.about.com/od/basiccare/qt/sheddesign.htm
http://wwwhorses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0396shed.shtml
Photo credit: eberlybarns.net
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