Plan Your Horse Barn

If you are building a new horse barn, there are many things you must consider.  Here are a few:

• Federal, state and local code requirements for buildings.
• Depending on the location and purpose of your facility, it could be classified as commercial or agricultural.  There are different regulations for each.
• Requirements for manure storage and disposal in your area.
• Topography, utility access and wind direction.
• Travel patterns for horses, humans and vehicles.  Try to set up your facility so all three can be easily accommodated.
• Hay storage and fire hazards.
• Ventilation is key and does not happen on accident.  This cannot be achieved by simply opening a window.  Remember: the goal is to provide fresh air throughout the building and horse stalls, without drafts, in all seasons.
• Plan an area in your barn with level footing and bright lighting.  This area will be appreciated by your veterinarian and farrier.

If properly ventilating your horse stalls is a problem, consider using a ceiling fan that is UL listed for outdoor use and is reversible.  YOUR CELIING MUST BE TALL ENOUGH TO DO THIS.  Remember, if your horse ever rears in his stall, the fan must be high enough up so he won’t contact it.  Items like Dutch doors, cupolas and grilled stall partitions can also assist with ventilation.

When planning your horse barn lighting, don’t forget to plan for adequate lighting inside each stall and wash rack.  Fixtures should be designed for agricultural use.  Click here to learn more about the quality barn and arena lighting RAMM offers.

For more tips and other things to consider when planning your barn, check out RAMM’s resource center.