How to Build a Horse Run-in Shed

Housing horses from the elements is a necessary part of their care, but it does not have to be terribly expensive or difficult. Horses survived for millions of years without the benefit of man-made shelters or special feeds, so anything we can provide for them is a bonus. As long as your horse can get in out of the wet and the wind, as well as have shade from the summer sun, he should be able to manage just fine. Knowing how to provide a basic shelter for your horse is a real benefit.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-by-4 posts
  • metal siding
  • 2-by-4 lumber
  • nails
  • cement
  • post hole digger or auger
  • hammer
  • roofing nails
  • measuring tape
  • spray paint
  • level
  • saw
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Instructions

  1. How to build a run-in shed for a horse

    • 1

      Begin by measuring your shed area and marking the spots for corner posts with the spray paint. You will need a corner or brace post every twelve feet for stability.

    • 2

      Using your post-hole digger or auger, dig holes for your corner and brace posts. These need to be at least 24 inches deep.

    • 3

      Place your 4-by-4 posts into the holes. Each post needs to be at least 10 feet in length so you will have enough room for a horse to stand in the shed comfortably.

    • 4

      Mix your cement and pour it into the holes with your 4-by-4 posts. Use a level to make sure your posts are straight and then allow them to set for 72 hours.

    • 5

      Create a frame for your shed by hammering one end of a 2-by-4 into your corner post and running the other end to the next brace or corner post and securing it there with nails as well. You will need one of these boards at ground level, one approximately 4 feet off the ground, and one at the top of your posts.

    • 6

      Attach your siding to your frame. You can use standard nails for the walls of the shed. Overlapping the pieces slightly is a good way to help keep water out of the shed.

    • 7

      Using 2-by-4s, fill in the space between your middle frame board and the ground frame board inside your shed. This creates a "wall" that will prevent your horse from kicking through the siding and causing serious injury to itself.

    Roofing your Shed

    • 8

      Create a framework for your roof using 2-by-4's. You will need one that will cross the entire front section of the shed, and then one in the middle, and one at the back side of the shed. Attach these to your corner posts with standard nails.

    • 9

      Attach your siding to the roofing framework. Use roofing nails to attach each section of siding to its neighbor in an overlapping pattern to allow for more waterproofing and security.

    • 10

      Secure your roof thoroughly, using extra nails on the framework and roofing nails on the siding. Your roof needs to be the most solid part of your shed.