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Horse SheltersSUPPLIES
- Temporary Shelter:
- cattle panels
- t-posts
- twine, rope, plastic ties
- Permanent Shelter:
- hammer, nails, saw
- plywood sheeting
- 4x4 posts
Overview
Being out in a pasture is the best environment for your horse. Keeping a horse cooped up in stalls inside a barn leads to many respiratory problems as well as behavior problems. However, even in the nicest pasture there needs to be some protection from the elements while your horse is outside. Building a shelter is a fast and easy way to give your horse a place to escape rain, snow, or even hot midday sun. There are several types of shelters you can build for your horse depending on how temporary or permanent you wish it to be.
Erecting a Temporary Shelter
Step 1
Make a fast and easy temporary shelter by buying cattle panel fencing. These heavy welded wire panels are bendable but firm unlike most wire fencing and won't buckle or sag. They are 6 feet high and 16 feet wide.
Step 2
Buy as many t-posts as you wish to plant figuring you need four per 6-foot span so if you want a 24-foot shelter you need 4 cattle panels and 16 t-posts.
Step 3
Plant 8 t-posts 6 feet apart in a straight line on one side and 8 t-posts 6 feet apart on an opposite side about 5 feet between each side.
Step 4
Place one side of the cattle panel on end braced by one side of the t-posts and bend it in an arc so the opposite end comes down to be braced by the t-posts on the opposite side.
Step 5
Buy a tarp large enough to cover the arc of the cattle panel. For a 24-foot-long "tunnel" shelter you will need a tarp 16 feet x 24 feet. Both ends will be open.
Step 6
Both panels and tarp can be tied to the t-posts with twine, wire, or for more security plastic snap ties.
Erecting a Permanent Shelter
Step 1
You will need tools for this one, but even a permanent shelter can be built with not much more than a hammer, some nails and a saw.
Step 2
For the same size shelter as above (24 feet x 5 feet) purchase sixteen 4x4 wood posts 9 feet long. Purchase six ¾-inch-thick plywood panels for the two sides and three ¾-inch-thick plywood panels for the top. Buy eight 2x4 posts for cross braces on the top of the shelter.
Step 3
Plant the 4x4 posts the same distance as the above temporary shelter, 6 feet apart on each side 5 feet between each side. They should be at least 3 feet deep (4 feet if in a frost area that could freeze).
Step 4
Nail a 2x4 across between each 4x4. Place a sheet of plywood lengthwise from the end of the first set of 4x4s. It will overhang 6 inches on each side of the "wall."
Step 5
Nail the plywood to the 4x4s and the 2x4s. Place another piece of plywood end to end with the first and nail to the braces and uprights. Place a third piece of plywood end to end on top and nail that on. Finally attach plywood horizontally along each side with the top edge against the top of the shelter. There will be a 2-foot gap at the bottom of the shelter but that is good for ventilation, preventing your horse from casting themselves, and drainage. Placing wood against the ground also encourages wood rot of the easily damaged plywood.
