Horse Barn Kits: Stables | General Steel (2024)

FAQs

What is the best material to build a horse barn? ›

Metal buildings have been known to last 30 years and more without repainting. In addition, wood is prone to rot, animal and insect damage, and some horses can't take their teeth off it. For ease of maintenance and weather resistance, metal is the clear winner.

The cheapest way to build a horse barn involves using cost-effective materials and simplified construction methods. Some cost-saving strategies include opting for a shed row-style barn. This has a simpler design and requires fewer materials compared to traditional barn styles.

For most horse barns and large storage sheds, poured concrete footers is a great choice. Please consult a professional in your area for the proper size and placement of the footers needed for your horse barn or large storage shed foundation. Please note that weather can influence when concrete footers can be poured.

The stall size debate seems to have settled on 12' by 12' for an average 1,000-pound horse. Ron says 90 percent of his projects have 12' by 12' stalls; he rarely get orders for 10' by 10' stall, like he did years ago. A horse should be able to turn around, lie down and get up comfortably, and be groomed in place.

When choosing materials for your horse stables, barns, or shelters, there are many options available. The most common are timber, brick, or steel. However, at Jon William Stables, we firmly believe that good quality timber equestrian buildings are the best option.

Whether you're building a single horse barn or several horse barns, there are many reasons to choose a metal building over alternative building materials. The strength of metal building structures means that you'll be able to keep your horses safe for years to come, much more so than a wooden stable.

Typical 12x12 stall kits can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 per stall; see here for more on stall options.

While both center-aisle and shed row barns are popular single-story barn designs, shed row barns will be your most cost-effective option. Since they are built in a simple, stripped-down barn style, they cost less and are easy to work with. Learn more about the advantages of shed row and center aisle barns.

Run-In Shed prices start at just $3,420 for a 10X10 structure, which is the perfect size for a single horse. Our largest Run-In Sheds can cost around $8,000 and have several exciting add-on features like feed rooms, cupolas, cabinets, and more.

You'll also want to carefully consider the direction your barn should face. You want to be prepared to counteract the seasons, keeping your barn warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The best way to achieve this is to face your structure in the east/west direction.

What does every horse barn need? ›

Every horse barn should have a tack room to keep your saddles and bridles protected and neat. Tack rooms must be kept clean, dry, and have adequate ventilation. This is particularly important for leather equipment, which can rot and mold if not properly maintained.

Often, one horse per acre is used as a starting point. In some cases, two acres is recommended for the first horse and one additional acre for each additional horse is suggested to prevent over-grazing of pastures.

If you are attempting to figure the carrying capacity of land for a horse, then a good rule of thumb is 1-1/2 to 2 acres of open intensely managed land per horse. Two acres, if managed properly, should provide adequate forage in the form of pasture and/or hay ground. But this is highly variable depending on location.

Concrete/Asphalt

The benefits of concrete or asphalt stall flooring include easy cleaning and sanitation, plus virtually no maintenance.

While quick to install and serviceably resilient, concrete tends to crack, and when it has a polished surface, it doesn't handle water well. A thin layer of water on an untextured surface, even in small puddles, makes it dangerously slick, putting your horses at risk for serious injury.

Softwoods – This includes the most popular option for horse stalls which is Southern Yellow Pine. That being said, we always recommend to use the highest grade of wood that is possible for your project's budget.