Horse Barns

• Select a budget.  Decide how much you can spend, and then spend some time allocating that budget.  Make a list of features you can't live without, features you would like to have if you have funds left over, and features that you're willing to do without.  This list should give you a good idea of what your priorities are.
• Select your plan, or choose a builder who can custom-build your barn for you.  If you go the latter route, be sure to get some recommendations from others who have used that builder, and ask to see some examples of his work.  Put everything in writing so that the final product corresponds with your desires.
• Safety first.  Be sure that the site for your barn is properly prepared before the building process begins.  Soil that is too soft or loose can result in an inadequate weight bearing capacity.  The barn should have a strong foundation, as well as plenty of windows and doors to allow for fresh air and sunshine.  Stalls, alleyways, and doorways should be free of protruding objects the horses could get caught on, and all hardware such as bolts and latches should be extremely strong.  There should also be one locked room included in your design, to ensure that money, paperwork, and other valuable items that need to be kept secure can be.
• Think convenience.  The barn should have good access to both electricity and water, and should be located within an easy walking distance of riding and exercising areas.
• Decide on style.  The shape of your barn should coordinate with other structures on your property.  Depending upon the climate in which you live and your particular needs, you may want to build a traditional barn with an aisle between two rows of stalls, or you may want to build a barn that opens directly into turn-out areas.  If you live in a harsh winter climate and want to ride in an indoor arena year-round, you may want to consider incorporating an attached indoor arena in your barn design.
• Pick the most important features from your wish list.  Once you have the general idea of your barn formed, you'll want to decide what special features are important to you.  The features you choose will depend upon what your facility is used for.  For example, if you have a large boarding facility, an automatic watering system may be absolutely necessary to keep your workload manageable.  If you are a boarding or training facility, a heated tack room might be necessary to attract and retain your customer base.  When determining which features are most important in your barn design, consider which will bring you the biggest return on investment.

With a little thought and planning, you can build a barn that suits your needs — and that of your horses — perfectly.

Red Horse Barn

Horse Barn Suppliers

• Apple Valley Barns - horse barn plans from well-known architects and designers.
• Barn Pros - traditional wood horse barn kits.
• FCP Barns and Buildings - modular horse barns with optional features.
• AmeriStall - manufacturer of barns, stalls, and accessories.

Related Equestrian Websites

• Horse Tack - saddles, bridles, and horseback riding apparel.
• Equestrian Directory - horse breeders, stables, and riding lessons.

Horse Barns - Horse Barn Guide