Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Functional Horse Barn Designs Alberta

By Stacey Burt


Owning horses is not only a great privilege but also a significant responsibility. Many people are only too happy to take on the challenge and join the ever growing ranks of equestrians. They will enjoy not only the fun and exercise of riding, but also the wonderful sense of accomplishment that comes from taking care of these beautiful and intelligent animals.

Providing suitable housing for horses is always a challenge. Horse barn designs Alberta provide a number of excellent options. There are great plans for everything from a small one stall set up, to huge barns that house thirty to forty animals under one roof. All are put together with quality in mind.

From the local back yard owners with just a few horses to the huge operations that house upwards of fifty animals, careful design and planning is crucial. Although horses are beautiful animals they are also a lot of work. They need shelter from the harsh winter weather as well as shade from the intense summer sunshine and insects. Creating a great facility that is easy to work in and functional takes careful planning right from the start.

Everyone has their own unique ideas about what they want. One of the greatest features of designing your own stabling is that each finished product is slightly different and made with the owners individual needs in mind. They are able to add or omit features from the basic design until they have exactly what they want.

The majority of barns are build from wood. This is because lumber is readily available and can be pre cut to the correct length and thickness. A smaller barn may also be build of brick or block. Block has the advantage of being very strong and inexpensive. The project can be accomplished by most people with some basic mason and stonework experience.

Interior features are very important. Many people like to add hay racks to the walls of a small barn to save hay from being trampled and wasted. A built in feed trough is also a nice touch. The addition of a central watering system is also an option. Although it can save time the water dispensers will still need to be cleaned regularly.

Smaller barns also come with their own set of design challenges. This can be anything from finding the best location to deciding on flooring. New or inexperienced owners should work with a knowledgeable contractor and be ready to take advice about the entire project, from start to finish. It can save them a lot of costly mistakes and provide a facility that both they and their horses can enjoy for years to come.

Spending plenty of time looking at all the options is vital. Many people also find it helpful to talk with other owners about which features are really worth adding and which are not. Some additional features look great on paper but may not really save any time in practice. Using the best quality materials available is also crucial. On going care and maintenance will add many years of life to the buildings and make them a valuable asset to the property.




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