How to Build a Barn With a Round Pen

A round pen is an invaluable tool for training horses. In his book "Lyons on Horses," trainer John Lyons says that round pens enable a person the ability to gain control of his horse while staying safe. By building a barn with a round pen inside, you have the flexibility to train and exercise your horses during inclement weather. A do-it-yourself pole barn is the most cost-effective permanent structure, according to Steve Maxwell in "Mother Earth News," and works well for this purpose.

Things You'll Need

  • Pressure treated lumber
  • Concrete
  • Gravel
  • Sand
  • Engineered trusses
  • Metal plates
  • Door hardware
  • Metal siding
  • Metal roofing
  • Right angle trim
  • Straight nails
  • Roofing nails
  • Pipe panels
  • Post hole digger
  • Saw
  • Plumb
  • T-square
  • Laser level
  • Powdered chalk
  • Stakes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the dimensions of the barn by using stakes, string and chalk. Mark the post holes and double check that all corners are 90 degrees by measuring across the diagonals. The diagonal measurements should be identical. Careful measuring at this stage is vital for a sound, square structure.

    • 2

      Dig the post holes by hand, a tractor-mounted or two-person powered post hole digger. Pour concrete footings in each hole. Set the posts and use a plumb line to confirm that they are straight. Brace them, then pour more concrete into the post holes to finish the posts. Use a laser level to cut the tops of the posts to an even level. Lay the gravel base, up to 6 inches deep, and cover with 3 inches of sand. This will be the round pen footing.

    • 3

      Set the beams that will support the trusses on top of the posts and fasten them with metal plates. Raise the trusses and fasten them securely with more metal plates. Brace the walls and trusses carefully during this process. Nail 2- by 4-inch lumber across the installed trusses and fasten metal roofing to the 2 by 4s with roofing nails. Attach a ridge cap along the ridge.

    • 4

      Nail 2- by 4-inch lumber across the posts to anchor the metal siding comprising the walls. Frame any doors and windows by mounting the door hardware and installing the doors and windows. Nail on the metal siding and finish the edges with right-angle trim for a neat appearance.

    • 5

      Install the round pen by setting a stake in the center and tying a rope to it that is half of the round pen's diameter to make a circle. Set up pipe round pen panels around the perimeter, attaching them to each other with the provided clamps or pins. Position the gate panel where it is easy to access from the barn door.