You are so right, PeteyPie. I completely overlooked that. My intent was to have the upper portion (above 4’) of the box stalls “open” (grilled top) to the aisleway to ensure good cross ventilation, which is paramount. I was also counting on clerestory windows (common in New England) for both ventilation and to allow light to penetrate deep into the stalls. I’m wondering if ankle-level grills in the stalls would be beneficial?
This small farm of mine has been a dream in my head day and night for 50 years. It’s past time to make it a reality. I was hoping for 20 acres, but had to settle for seven and that’s fine by me and the wife. There are three things in this world that are important: (1) Education, (2) Family, and (3) Living within your means (minimal debt).
With regards to your sugestions…
(a) I detest concrete flooring; much of the allure of a timber-frame bank barn is the “old world” nostalgic look and feel. I have been told by a Yankee barnmaker that if I keep the wooden floor free of chaff, I’ll be OK, although I concur that concrete would be safer.
(b) Air from the Cellar (animal level) will be drawn up through insulated, (36" square) hay chutes to the Loft (top level) and out through twin 36" fans installed in functional cupolas on the roof. Flakes of hay from the loft can be dropped two stories into mangers in the stalls. Thus, except for when hay is loaded into the Loft, there should be minimal chaff on the Main (vehicle) Floor.
© Fireboard walls/celings is a sound idea, but is counter to the rustic look I desire.
(d) Smoke detectors – absolutely. Can’t afford a sprinkler system, though.
(e) Horses will be on pasture 12-24 hours per day during the grazing season (Easter through Coloumbus Day), but come Winter they will be confined to the sacrifice area, except for maybe a once-a-week excursion to the pasture to stretch their legs and get in a good run.
(f) You need to be careful about getting horses out quickly during a fire. Nothing creates a blazing, uncontrollable fire like throwing open the massive sliding doors and letting in all that oxygen. It is certainly preferable to have at least two exit points from each stall.
My initial plan was for a 24’x36’ floor plan, but because I’m prolly going to need 12" walls, it’s looking like I might need to bite the bullet and upgrade to 28x42’ (exterior dimensions) to ensure roomy 12’x12’ stalls. A lot will depend on space and elevation. I don’t have much open space near the barn site before the hill drops off steeply and I want some flat ground outside the big doors. The other problem is this is a multi-elevational access puzzle. The drive slopes up from the township road to the circular drive, then there are two spurs: one that descends down to the back patio of my house and another that is the ramp to the Main Level of the barn. I need to ensure that none of the slopes exceed 3:12 or the bottom of the VW will catch on the saddle points. Elevation is also going to impact my ceiling heights. I want 12’ floor-to-floor, but might need to settle for something less than optimum. BTW, what’s the minimum free clearance that I need in the stalls for large draft horses like Appalloosas?
Thank you so much for all your advice… it’s exactly what I need. I get so mentally exhausted trying to endlessly figure out everything on my own.
