Horse Shelter Requirements

Horse owners have a number of shelter options to provide protection from inclement weather or too much sun. One or more horses may merit their own barn or a shared portion of a traditional barn. In milder climates, a three-sided shed in the horse pasture is convenient, cost-efficient and comfortable. Whatever the shelter choice, it should be clean, spacious and well-ventilated.

  1. Run-In Shelter

    • A run-in shelter is a three-sided building in a horse pasture that provides protection from wind, rain and snow. The horse can access the shelter---and the water troughs and feed bins it contains---at will. An ideal shelter sports a 12 by 12 space for each horse and be solidly constructed. Metal roofs or siding may block wind or rain but tend to be noisy, which may spook horses into avoiding it. In addition, metal will not insulate from heat or cold. Some run-ins have removable sidewalls for summer ventilation. If you have more than two horses, consider building a run-in for every two horses to give them enough room. Make sure the lowest section of a slanted roof is high enough so the horses are not crowded if they move to the back.

    Portable Shed

    • A portable shed can be positioned wherever it is needed, relocated for summer shade and winter warmth and shifted in cases of seasonal flooding. It is a very inexpensive shelter option that can be delivered pre-built or constructed on-site. Portables aren't a good choice for areas prone to severe windstorms, but they are easy to clean---just move them--and provide adequate, flexible shelter. Portables are sized like run-ins, a minimum 100-square foot space per horse; 12 by 12 feet is better.

    Horse Barn

    • The horse barn is the most costly but all-around most comfortable choice for housing your horses. A classic horse barn has stalls along the sides and a wide center aisle, a tack room and storage for feed and hay. Box stalls should be at least eight feet high, 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep with a 4-foot wide door. If space and budget permit, a 12 by 12-foot stall gives the horse plenty of room to turn around, lie down and move around. The center aisle should be wide enough to walk a horse in and out easily. In a barn with a number of horses and stalls, aisles should be wide enough for two grooms and two horses to pass each other.

      Dirt flooring is easy on the horses' feet and legs, but must be restored and leveled frequently. Concrete floors should always have thick rubber mats---at least 3/4-inch-thick rubber---to prevent hoof, back and leg injuries. Important considerations for fixed barns are interior ventilation, accessibility in all weather, and proximity to power and water sources.

    Boarding Stable

    • If you don't have on-site shelter for your horse, a boarding stable nearby is a good solution. A stable should meet all the standards for room, ventilation and weather protection of a well-constructed barn and provide adequate exercise and pasture, 24-hour on-site staffing, a private stall, convenient access to your horse and insured premises that meet all health and safety requirements.