Featured Article (March 2003)

Five Considerations for Horse Barn Planning

The prospect of building a horse barn is daunting, because planning requires much forethought regarding both efficiency of human use and safety for its equine inhabitants. In the end, the reward is enormous-imagine walking through the barn every evening after the facility is completed and the chores are done, feeling the cool breeze wafting down the aisle, taking in the mixed smells of horses, hay and fresh bedding, the horses in their stalls munching on hay and grain, the sparkling wash stall waiting to be used, and the tack room with a place for everything and everything in its place-that image is an epitome of peace, in my opinion.

From the practical standpoint of the horse enthusiast, not the architect or the engineer, this article reviews five considerations for horse barn planning. There are many more points to ponder, and some may be arguably as important as those included here. However, these five considerations have perhaps the most practical importance to those who will use and live in the barn.

Maximize Ventilation

Respiratory diseases are one of the most common problems in stabled horses, largely due to inadequate ventilation. To maximize ventilation, build a barn with wide doors on opposite ends, and include windows and barred or mesh doors on every stall. Due to fire hazard as well as dust and dirt falling into stalls, the traditional loft with hay storage above stalls is not recommended. In lieu of a hayloft, design the barn with its interior open to the roof. A steeper pitched roof affords improved ventilation over a flatter pitched roof. A common recommendation is a 6-12 pitch, that is, for every twelve inches across, there are six inches of rise. This steep pitch allows hot air to be drawn upward. Remember to include a ridge vent to allow the air to escape, and use cupolas and fans to increase the draw of air upwards and out.

Foaling stalls should include ventilation openings at a height appropriate for foals-they spend the majority of their first days lying down, with the exception of getting up to nurse. Approximately 27% of foals contract an infection within the first week of life, and respiratory problems are a common cause. Consider using stall doors that are completely open to view, with steel mesh no larger than two inches square to avoid getting small hooves caught. This full-view type of door will also improve natural light entering the stall and make it easier to observe broodmares and foals.

Avoid injuries on exposed hardware Optimally, stall doors should be of the sliding type, preferred over swinging doors. Doors that swing outward get in the way in the aisle, and those that swing inward can be a hazard in the stall. Doorways and aisle ways should have no latches or hardware exposed-even rather innocuous-looking hardware can cause serious injury if a horse bolts out of its stall or down an aisle way and gets caught on the latch in the process.

Divert water

Diverting the roof rainwater runoff away from the barn area will significantly reduce mud and improve the safety and desirable working environment around the barn. Install rain gutters or curtain drains on barns, and install downspouts in protected areas where horses will not be able to damage them. Watch where the water runs after a rain, and create berms or swales to control its flow away from sensitive areas. Small barns may have roof gutter systems outletted in this manner to a drywell. Larger barns may benefit more from having curtain drains or downspouts connected to underground pipes that divert rainwater to an outlet that is well away from horse activities.

Choose appropriate flooring

Barns usually require several different types of flooring in order to accommodate the needs in different areas, including aisle, stalls, tack and/or feed room, wash stall, office and perhaps adjoining arena surface. Some considerations include traction, cleaning convenience, cushion, drainage, durability, odor and moisture retention, beauty and cost. Each type of flooring has advantages and disadvantages, from stone dust to rubber brick. For example, clay is often preferred for stall flooring, but it is poorly draining and accumulates urine "potholes," so it usually requires annual renovation-removal of wet clay, replacement and releveling with fresh clay. Cement is preferred for foaling stall and wash stall flooring because it is easy to clean and disinfect, but it requires a drain and appropriate slope, and rubber mats will be needed to afford cushioning and traction. Macadam, or asphalt, offers more traction but is hard and abrasive. Rubber bricks are a durable option that affords traction, cushion and cleanliness, but are more expensive than alternative flooring types. Consider the primary purpose for each barn area, review the advantages, disadvantages and economy of each type of flooring, and then choose the best flooring for your needs.

Design a useful layout

Keep in mind the day-to-day activities planned in the barn and consider a layout to maximize efficiency and safety. Some points to consider when planning a barn layout include the following:

• Orientation to wind and sun (maximize cool summer breezes and winter sun)
• Door and window locations (maybe skylights, too?)
• Stall size and location (will you ever need a foaling stall?)
• Aisle width (wide enough for a tractor)
• Feed room (location for efficient feeding, exclusion of horses from the feed)
• Tack room (convenient to stalls, grooming and tacking area)
• Water availability and distribution (cold and hot? hot water tank location?)
• Wash stall, grooming, tacking & veterinary area (designed for multi-purpose?)
• Hay and bedding storage (included in the barn or another building?)
• Manure removal and composting area (ease of removal, location, containment)
• Surrounding paddocks, mounting and riding areas (proximity and safety)