Shelter options for horses run the gamut from high-end center aisle barns with timber frame construction to smaller and more budget-friendly options such as run-in sheds. At many farms you will see both horse barns and run-in sheds on the same property, happily existing alongside each other, each with their own particular purpose and area of use.
The humble run-in shed enjoys a ubiquitous presence on most horse farms for good reason. A field or paddock without one present means resident equines are without shelter from the heat of the sun and summer insect annoyance, which is when most horses use them most. And certainly, a herd of horses vying for space to take cover under a large deciduous tree during summer months that may offer shade, is not the perfect solution for shelter during lightning/thunderstorms and heavy precipitation. Many horses are lost to lightning strikes or suffer injury due to falling trees or tree boughs every year.
Run-in sheds are fashioned in many shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of options when it comes to choice of siding and roof colors and materials. But once you have purchased your prebuilt run-in shed, the next question will be where and how you should site it for optimum performance and ease of use.
Invest For the Future
One of the many beauties of a prebuilt run-in shed over its pole-built cousin is its portability. A small tractor or decent sized UTV/ATV will suffice to move it quite easily using the pre-installed heavy duty tow hooks at the base of the structure that can be chained up to a machine to drag it from one place to another.
The prebuilt run-in shed can also be moved from farm to farm in just the same way it magically appeared on site in the first place. It is useful if you move to a horse farm home or simply want to re-arrange your horse’s shelter furniture to adjust to changing needs of your equine population.
So, plan ahead and buy a run-in shed that offers portability. Other aspects of your forward planning should be how the base at the site of the run-in shed will be constructed as well as where it will live.
Site It Right
Here are the major factors to consider when selecting the site for the run-in shed and by undertaking a few simple preparation steps to give it a firm base of operation, you will enjoy its benefits for use for many years.
It may seem obvious but surprisingly sometimes folks overlook the simplest of factors, and one is that that a level area is a necessary starting point. Thus, to a certain degree this may govern the site for its final landing spot.
The manufacturer of the prebuilt barn is able to place it to within inches pretty much anywhere if they use a ‘mule’ machine, so as long as you have the access width and height wise (watch those tree boughs), you will be good to go. Make sure you select a manufacturer that knows what they are doing delivery and set up wise. While delivery is always an extra cost, set up should be included for free.
A prebuilt run-in shed can be dropped onto a level piece of ground anywhere, but it will stay level and do best if there is some site preparation. This may include the need to add compacted material to avoid potholing inside the structure with heavy use over time.
A well-drained base will also help preserve the structure from water damage. Whether it’s wood or metal-sided, no building does well if it sits for any length of time in standing water. And neither do horses. A gravel base with a compacted stonedust overlay is a perfect solution, with French drains cut around the structure if the natural soil cover or geography of the terrain does not offer good natural drainage. Remember the majority of the rain/snow will shed to the back of the run-in shed so removing water from its base is a good idea.
An extended apron of well-drained base material to all sides of the building will also help prevent mud and standing water. Horses love to huddle, and their hooves can soon make a mess of unprotected topsoil and grass, especially when they stand out in front of the run-in shed, the busy access point.
Rubber mats placed inside can become slippery when wet, so consider your options carefully before adding any grid systems or matted surfaces.
Where To Put It?
There are many things that factor in the decision of just where the run-in shed should be placed. Here’s a fun look at daft decisions people can and do make.
Yes, you do need to need to consider all aspects of geography in the site choice. Proximity to neighbors, other animals on site or nearby, fence lines, high access areas such as alongside roadsides, i.e., the human geography factor as well as regional influences such as prevailing winds and direct sun. Here’s a quick tutorial on Geography 101 that is helpful.
Plan your site selection around your horses’ lifestyle. For example, if your equids are two donkeys and a pony that you own for your children to enjoy, then siting the run-in shed close to your residence might be a good idea where you can keep an eye on proceedings. On the other hand, if you run a large boarding stable where small herds of horses are turned out together, then you may need to place two run-in sheds in different areas of the field to allow horses lower in the pecking order the opportunity to shelter without being bullied by their more dominant colleagues.
Try to avoid creating small corridors or tight spaces such as corners in paddocks where horses can become ‘stuck.’ While having a run-in shed placed centrally in the field can be a good idea, as even the back wall can create shade from the sun and shelter from the wind at certain times of day, a run-in shed that is placed within the fence line can protect three sides of the structure from nibbling and chewing, kicking and other horsey damage.
Another benefit of fence-line placement of the structure is the option to add gutters and downspouts for drainage at the back of a shed roof design where most of the rain will be shed located outside of the paddock area and out of the reach of the equine inhabitants.
House ‘Horsework’ Time
A run-in shed will soon become a mess of manure if it is not cleaned out so when deciding where to place it think about how you are going to keep the shed clean.
Regular mucking out will also help keep the fly population at bay (pine shavings make a good deterrent to summer bugs if regularly refreshed). Placement of the run-in shed a huge distance from the entrance gate to the field will be hard to navigate in poor weather, especially snowfall and annoying to traverse without the aid of machinery.
If you plan to use a tractor to access the interior of the shed, then ensure it is of sufficient height if the tractor has a fixed cab and roll bar, so you don’t cause damage to the roof. Also always buy a wider rather than deeper run-in shed to accommodate horses as this helps prevent a horse from becoming trapped inside, his exit blocked by another more dominant individual that seeks to intimidate him.
A wider width run-in shed also makes clean out easier when using a tractor as it will be sufficient to take the bucket width. It won’t be practical to scoop the interior of the structure with the bucket as it would damage the exterior wall base, but the tractor bucket can be placed to reach within the building for easy of filling by forking manure in manually.
The Run-In Shed Pays Its Way
The prebuilt run-in shed is an inexpensive way to shelter horses and offers a versatility for other needs too. Often used as a storage solution for hay supplies and bedding, the structure is a mainstay on a horse farm for good reason.
If you are planning to buy a run-in shed to bring your horse home; update your farm and replace tired unsightly creations that presently don’t add grace to your farm; or simply need a bit of extra winter storage for supplies, check out online sales lots and sign up for discount deals and exhibition offerings (Equine Affaire, W. Springfield, MA in November for example and you can buy in advance of the show at discounts), for best prices.
If you choose a company with a nationwide footprint, you can find just what you want styled and sized as you’d like it from the comfort of your couch. And the ‘to the penny’ pricing and finance options make the purchasing process straightforward.
Browse Horizon’s IN STOCK Run-In Sheds: CLICK HERE!
Remember when comparing pricing that each run-in shed you see available will come with different levels of quality in craftsmanship and materials, warranties and delivery charges depending on the ultimate destination. So do be careful to compare ‘apples to apples’ and do some research rather than just basing a decision on square footage and price point.
Another bonus of a prebuilt run-in shed is the quick delivery that makes a magical almost ‘instant’ appearance on site a reality. No mess, no stress and a known timeline for use which make the prebuilt unit a perfect shopping solution for the busy horse owner.
