Run in Shed

[wgc517]

Getting ready to build or buy my run in shed and need help figuring out how wide, how high and how long I need.

I was thinking 10 or 12 wide by 28 long. I am think at the most I will need it for is 3 or 4 horses. Am I thinking to big?
This is a picture of the style I like but this may be too big..

[wgc517]

Can someone tell me how to post the picture. Can't seem to get it to work.

[wgc517]

Here is a link to the styles I think are best. I like the Bradford or the Amherst.

Need help with the size width, height and length along with what type of would (Pine) I should use. It will be for 3 or 4 horses at the most.

thanks
http://abbarns.com/runin_sheds/run_in.html[/url]

[bayrabicano]

I really like the style that you selected and the Amhurst looks like a good fit. The 28' length should be fine, but I would do it as deep as possible - at least 12' and more likely 16'

Not sure if this will be helpful, but it's fun to look at the plans - especially the really old ones!

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans

I would use treated lumber for the framing and cedar or cypress for the outside, but I'm in the south and that's what we do. Might be a bit different for PA and it seems like you have access to a lot of great barn builders and they should be able to help with the best methods/materials for your area.

I wouldn't go less than 12' high (at the low point) because from what I've found it really doesn't save much to go shorter and gives you more to worry about - but, I know nothing about cold weather - we mostly fight the heat arounds here.

[tbrace]

Here's a thought that has worked well for us: Run in shed with two sides, not three. So, it has a full back, and then the side where most wind comes from.

Horses that are claustrophobic won't have any trouble using it, and it is as good as three sided ones, that even non-claus horses often won't use.

They don't like feeling trapped with only one way out.

[wgc517]

Thanks Bayrabicano and TBrace,

I think I am really set on the design. Either one of those two I mentioned in the link above (although the 2 side idea is pretty interesting).

I will make it deep but how wide do I have to make it for 4 horses?

16 deep at least 12 high by length?[/img][/url]

[KBEquine]

Thanks Bayrabicano and TBrace,

I think I am really set on the design. Either one of those two I mentioned in the link above (although the 2 side idea is pretty interesting).

I will make it deep but how wide do I have to make it for 4 horses?

16 deep at least 12 high by length?[/img][/url]

If they are 4 horses who get along, your 28 feet will be fine. But sometimes the new horse in the group or the low horse in the herd pecking order will get shut out.

We have a couple run-ins of similar design. One is 12 x 30 and has a 12' overhang off the front of the shed instead of that short over-hang. That's the run-in they use the most & the claustrophobic horses & the ones lowest on the pecking order stand under the roof, but outside the shed. There's enough of a wind-break (trees) from the prevailing wind that they stay pretty comfy, even in the worst PA winter.

But the real answer is it depends on the 4 horses' personalities.

[winds]

That's a good suggestion by KB Equine about extending the roof. I managed a farm where that's all we had were run in sheds and only a small barn with two stalls in case of emergency or injury. All of our sheds had the extended roof and the horses used it especially in the summer, to be under the shade and yet there was a cool breeze to cool them off. It's a great idea.

winds

[da hossman]

In my experience horses seem to enjoy eating pine - they do not seem to have the same taste for oak or poplar.

[ratherrapid]

Here's a thought that has worked well for us: Run in shed with two sides, not three. So, it has a full back, and then the side where most wind comes from.

Horses that are claustrophobic won't have any trouble using it, and it is as good as three sided ones, that even non-claus horses often won't use.

They don't like feeling trapped with only one way out.

yup! unless everybody gets along may need an alternative side to it for the herd outcasts.

[Linda_d]

Many, many years ago, I read an article in The Western Horseman where somebody had built a run-in shed that they fitted with narrow stalls so that the low-echelon horses could eat or rest in peace. It's basically the same idea as free stalls in a dairy barn. That always struck me as a great idea when you have horses that don't get along but that need to be in the same shelter.

[photofinish]

In my experience horses seem to enjoy eating pine - they do not seem to have the same taste for oak or poplar.

I agree, pine=potato chips to most horses