Need Run in shed information

[wgc517]

Can someone please give me their thoughts on run in sheds.
Here is the type of info I am looking for.

1. What is the best size (height length etc) just to have shelter in the fields for weather etc. what is the best height and width.
2. Where is the best place to put it in the field. My land is a rolling hill, would it be best at the top, middle or bottom.
3. What direction do you have the front facing?
4. Do you use the ground as your flooring or do you use something else?
5. Any other infor you thinkmight be helpful.

thank you in advance...

[valerie]

I have several run in sheds in various sizes all are open to the south and one is on top of a hill the rest are some where on level ground or mid hill. Height is 9 feel on back and 12 on front. I try to have my sheds at least 12 feet deep and 30 feet wide but I do have a couple larger than that and for paddocks with only one horse they are only 12 wide by 15 wide. You need to allow more room if you have several horses together as all won't get in the sheds. Mine are rarely in them anyway except for sleet, they tend to stand outside them. I also have a couple of 2 sided sheds that have walls on the North and West only along with a roof. I have found that they like those better. Go figure. Dirt floor is all I have and I try to clean them at least 3 tims a year. I have put pea gravel in the ones that seem to be muddy. All of mine are in the ground and not portable with the exception of one ant that one is anchored.

[Roger]

How many horses are going to use it, is lightning an issue where you live? I think that all run in sheds with walls, need an inside wall of wood. I've seen a horse's leg after he kicked through sheet metal. I would most likely put one on the south side of a hill high enough to keep the ground dry as possible. I like to face them south and I like 9 foot fronts and 9.5 feet backs if I am on a hill.

[Tiz]

The opening should face away from the prevailing wind direction for your location. The bottom of the hill is the wettest, so don't put it there. Also. horses don't like hanging out in the the lower spots of a pasture. They like being higher, probably a prey animal trait.
Packed dirt for a floor, some kind of mud control for the entrance and immediate area outside of the shed.
No tin walls with no wood or puck board lining on the inside, very dangerous, and the horses should not have access to the outside of the building either.
That's all that comes to mind for now!

[KBEquine]

Can someone please give me their thoughts on run in sheds.
Here is the type of info I am looking for.

1. What is the best size (height length etc) just to have shelter in the fields for weather etc. what is the best height and width.
2. Where is the best place to put it in the field. My land is a rolling hill, would it be best at the top, middle or bottom.
3. What direction do you have the front facing?
4. Do you use the ground as your flooring or do you use something else?
5. Any other infor you thinkmight be helpful.

thank you in advance...

Hello --

We are in PA, too, & bought the pre-fab ones from one source.

1. Height/length depends on the number of horses you want to shelter. Several of the pre-fab places have specs online & I think you can Google them.
2. In our largest field, we have one at the top & one at the bottom. Bottom shelters best from wind; top shelters best when the bottom land gets swampy. Look at your land & make the decision.
3. Ours face away from the prevailing wind -- in our case, they face SE. Your prevailing wind may be different. Learn the prevailing wind & you'll have your answer.
4. We use earth or stone dust, depending on if we needed to even out the ground. We also bed the run-ins in winter - straw or sawdust.
5. Make sure you get both a windbreak [i.e., knowing the prevailing wind direction helps there] & a roof for rain/snow.

PM if you want more info.