How big should your horse shelter be?
To answer this question, you need to know how many horses will be using the shelter. It is recommended that there is at least 144 square feet for each horse being housed. For example, 3 horses would need a shelter that is at least 432 square feet.
Try your best not to skimp on the size of your shelter. Remember, not all horses enjoy each others’ company. You want to make sure (to the best of your ability) that every horse has an opportunity to be in the shelter.
What direction does the wind blow?
When placing such a large structure, you will need to take into account what way the wind blows throughout the year. Does your area primarily receive northern winds? Then you’ll want to make sure that the shelter opening faces south.
Having your shelter face into the wind can essentially render it useless when it comes to blocking wind. If you live in a more temperate area, you may not need to worry as much as those that live in areas that endure harsh winters.
How will you provide proper drainage?
Nobody wants a muddy shelter. Oftentimes horses will go into a shelter to find some dry land in the muddy spring. Make sure that the shelter’s foundation is either built up or has good natural drainage to prevent it from becoming a muddy mess.
How many entrances/exits will you need?
If you want to add an extra windbreak to the front of your horse shelter, you’ll want to make sure there is more than one entrance/exit. I’ve seen far too many horses get trapped in shelters because there was only one exit and a grumpy horse blocking the door.
If you cannot have more than one exit, make sure the entrance is wide enough to accommodate two horses passing each other.
Will you want to move your horse shelter in the future?
Are you planning on never moving your shelter? Or are you a bit hesitant on the placement? You’ll want to be sure that you think this part through. If your shelter will be more permanent, you can sink posts in the ground without any doubt.
But if you would like to be able to move your shelter in the future, you will want to build a more freestanding structure that can be put on skids to transport.
How much snow does your region receive?
If you live in area that receives a lot of snow, you’ll want to make sure that you take roof snow loads into consideration. According to Medeek Design, Inc, “roof snow loads are influenced by elevation, general weather and moisture patterns, slope direction, exposure, roof configuration and wind direction and severity. Overestimation of snow loads can unnecessarily increase the cost of construction.”
Consult with a local builder or home improvement store to get more information on the snow loads for your area.
How much are you able to spend?
Horse shelters are a big investment and something that you don’t want to have to redo because something was cheaped out on. However, they don’t have to be super expensive. If you can’t afford metal siding, look into exterior plywood or OSB.
Always search Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other secondhand sites for materials. Many home improvement stores that sell metal siding often have a “bargain area” where you can purchase goods at a discount. Be creative with how you find your materials and repurpose anything you can.
Thank you so much for reading about some things to consider when designing a horse shelter. Let me know if anything in this post surprised you or if you’ve ever attempted a large project! I’d love to hear from you.
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