- Remember that there is more to a barn than just a
collection of stalls. You will also need to plan for a
tack room, an area to wash the animals, and also a storage
area for feed. Carefully consider ventilation, since it is
an important key to a functioning barn; it may be a
mixture of forced air and natural ventilation or one
choice thereof. The other amenity that needs to be
carefully planned is drainage. Lighting is often much
easier to plan for, and when doing so make sure that it is
adequate in any corner of the barn. Water sources are
another important amenity that will need to be carefully
planned. Do not skimp of safety features, such as smoke
alarms and maybe even a sprinkler system.
- Visit other horse owners’ barns and see what you like,
and what works. Make a note of what you dislike and the
things that simply do not seem to work. If you hire
someone to do the building for you, make sure it is an
experienced barn builder rather than a jack of all trades.
Referrals will be worth their weight in gold!
- Build a good relationship with the barn builder before
she or he breaks ground. Both sides need to understand the
scope of the barn builder’s involvement, and also the
tasks that are left for the horse owner to finish.
Of course, even the best design will need to be
reevaluated if you change your mind on the kinds of horses
you want to purchase. After all, different sizes and kinds
of animals affect the needs they will have. You may be
tempted to complete your barn project in sections, depending
on your financial prowess. While this is an attractive
solution, it is important to remember that many a
half-finished project will sit unfinished for a long time
simply because funding was not properly planned. Make sure
you also include your finances in the planning process.
Generally speaking, the outside of a barn is usually made of
metal, while the individual stalls inside are made from
dense lumber. This will increase the life of the building
while also making the maintenance easier on the owner. There
are several books and websites that offer a number of great
suggestions on the proper planning and building of a horse
barn. Include them in your planning process to assure that
you are getting the best living quarters available for your
animals.
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