| Guidelines for Properly Built Portable Run In Sheds | | | | to withstand the snow load or wind rating for the |
| and Shedrow Horse Barns | | | | area you live in. For run in sheds up to 12' in depth, |
| If you are in the market for a run in shed or a | | | | 2x4 rafters set at 16" on centers are sufficient in |
| portable equine barn, I hope, the information and | | | | most cases. If you live in northern states, 2x6 |
| guidelines provided below will be of benefit not only | | | | rafters are recommended to withstand heavier snow |
| to you, but also to your horses or other animals you | | | | loads. 2x6 or even 2x8 rafters recommended on |
| are acquiring the shelter for. By following these | | | | wider run in sheds and barns. |
| recommendations you will make a wise investment in | | | | 6. Roofing - A good quality roofing material properly |
| a properly built Equine Shed to last you for many | | | | applied, is also essential for longevity of your horse |
| years. | | | | barn. Two different materials widely used are metal |
| What to look for in a properly built Run In Shed or a | | | | and asphalt shingles. From our prospective, asphalt |
| Portable Horse Barn: | | | | shingles are a better choice for your horse shed, |
| 1. Base Of The Barn - To protect from rotting and | | | | since metal is generally noisier during rain and might |
| termites, it is essential that your Horse Shed is built | | | | scare off some horses. |
| on top of pressure treated base in order to | | | | Metal will also keep your barn hotter during summer |
| withstand many years of ground contact. The | | | | and cooler during winter compared to asphalt shingles. |
| treatment of timbers used in the shed base must be | | | | But metal roof might be a good choice for very |
| specifically for ground contact. Recommended size of | | | | windy or hurricane prone areas. If building or |
| sill plates is 6"x6" and recommended treatment of sill | | | | purchasing a barn with metal roof, make sure to use |
| plates is either ACQ .40 or any other treatment | | | | double bubble insulation (also known as condensation |
| made for ground contact. | | | | barrier) under metal. When choosing a barn with |
| 2. Wall Framing - Solid & well built wall frame is | | | | asphalt shingles, whenever possible pick shingles with |
| very important for the longevity of your horse barn | | | | a higher rated warranty. Shingles with higher rated |
| or shed. Recommended materials to be used in wall | | | | warranty such as 30 year architectural shingles are |
| construction is either Oak or Yellow Pine. When using | | | | thicker, heavier, look nicer and usually have at least |
| green oak, keep in mind that frame built with green | | | | 20 mph. higher wind rating, meaning they will |
| oak will shrink after several years and will not be as | | | | withstand stronger winds compared to standard 25 |
| tight as in a newly constructed barn. Cedar is another | | | | year 3-tab asphalt shingles. Whatever shingles you |
| choice, but it is an expensive choice to use for | | | | choose, make sure they are applied over felt paper |
| framing of your barn. | | | | underlayment as per shingle manufacturer's |
| 3. Siding - Two mostly used barn sidings are either | | | | recommendations. |
| metal or wood. Each one has its own advantages and | | | | 7. Windows - Whenever possible choose your |
| disadvantages. In our guidelines we recommend the | | | | portable horse barn with bigger windows. Bigger |
| use of wooden siding verses metal due to the | | | | windows will provide more light inside the stalls which |
| following: | | | | is not only better for you, but also for your horses. |
| Barn with wood siding generally stays several | | | | Make sure windows can open to provide ventilation |
| degrees cooler during summer heat & stays | | | | and make sure all stalls windows are protected by |
| several degrees warmer during the winter. Wood | | | | heavy duty window grills on inside of stall. |
| siding is more dent resistant compared to metal siding | | | | 8. Dutch Doors - All of the Dutch doors must be built |
| and more look appealing. The only disadvantage of | | | | sturdy enough to withstand powerful kicks of horses. |
| wood siding is its periodic maintenance, such as | | | | All the hardware such as door hinges, latches and |
| staining or applying wood sealer for better wood | | | | chew bars (cribbing angles) must be heavy duty and |
| protection. | | | | preferably powder coated. One important thing to |
| 4. Kickboards - Either 1x8 rough-cut oak or 2x8 or | | | | consider, is the length of door hinges. The longer |
| 2x6 T&G yellow pine kickboards may be used | | | | hinges will better protect the doors from sagging. We |
| inside the stalls. Make sure all the kickboards are at | | | | recommend 20" heavy duty barn hinges for Dutch |
| least 4' high. | | | | doors. Smaller hinges may be used on regular |
| 5. Barn Roof - The roof must be engineered and built | | | | entrance doors. |