Whether you are building a new barn or renovating an old one, the best way to design your dream barn is to follow the old adage, “form follows function.” Before you start planning your barn, think about the following things and make sure to always keep safety in mind:
How will you use your barn?
How many horses will you ultimately care for? You may just have a few horses now, but if you’re dream is to someday have a training facility, you should build a big enough barn to accommodate more horses. It’s always less expensive to build right the first time rather than trying to add on later.
Consider the weather. Are you planning to have attached paddocks? If you live in a place that tends to have inclement weather you may want the option to close paddock doors when needed. Also consider barn end doors to help with weather conditions. Will either have an overhang or awning over them to keep everyone dry?
Design for plenty of light and fresh air. Look at barn designs that will maximize the amount of fresh air and ventilation. This is important for your horses health. Also look for designs that allow large amounts of natural light into your barn.
Consider your daily workflow. Will you use wheelbarrows to clean stalls or feed or will you need a barn with an aisle wide enough to drive a truck down the center aisle for these chores? Will your hay be stored off site or do you want it in your hay loft? Will you need additional room for a viewing area for parents or a kitchen or clubhouse area for boarder parties and relaxing?
Look at your proposed site location. Is it level? Is the landscape such that water flows away from the barn? From which direction will the wind come? Sun? Is there room for a driveway and parking area for boarders, the farrier and vet? Will you offer trailer parking – will it be part of the barn structure so it can be covered? These are all very important questions to consider.
Consider utilities. How easy is it to acquire electric and water hook ups.
Consider barn style. Do you have a preferred barn style that works best for your type of facility? A Shed Row barn is a good choice for warm climates as they maximize air flow and ventilation. They can be configured in a straight line, an “L” shape or a “U” shape. The Full Monitor has a high center raised roof that lets hot air rise above the stalls and horses. The design also allows skylights and windows to be installed on each side of the center roofline, letting in more light and additional fresh air. The Monitor is good if you need to build a long row of stalls. The Gambrel offers a large loft located above the stalls for added storage and increased headroom. Gambrel trusses eliminate the need for interior post and beam supports giving you more freedom in your floor plan.
Look at legal requirements. Are there building restrictions in your area and do you need certain permits? Are there rules on size or location? In some areas, the barn must be a certain number of feet from your property line.
Consider available construction materials. Do you want wood post and beam for the old-fashioned look of a barn? Or do you want the low maintenance and fire-resistance of a steel modular building?
Remember that you don’t have to do this all on your own. The friendly and helpful staff at Classic Equine Equipment is available to help with your design and answer your questions.