I’m renting a pasture for my two ponies, and am looking into an inexpensive, possibly removable shelter option for them.
One of my clients has a sort of fabric/coated canvas structure that I originally poo-pooed, but now in this context looks enticing.
A quick google showed me kits fro Bi-mart, Costco, Home Depot…
Any input from those in the know?
The tarp covers will probably only last one or two years before you have to replace that part of them. If it gets you going to where you need to be, it’s viable, but in the long run you’ll be better off with say a carport with a metal roof, or a metal shed livestock solution, or something similarly more permanent.
IME, the metal carports are really short. If you have ponies, this might not be an issue.
I have these: http://ocala.craigslist.org/grq/4709364904.html. It has a tarp top and has been surprisingly durable. Going on 3 years now, they have survived MAJOR wind and rain storms, no issues. Cheap - our 12X14 structures were about $150. Now, we did put wooden fence posts at all four corners and attached the metal poles to them, because those are a little flimsy. Even then, at $8 per post, it is still very cheap.
You can get metal carports in a variety of sidewall heights, center heights and dimensions. They don’t have to be short. Cost generally does go up, though, when you vary from the “standard” model or display model.
Not sure where you are located but that may dictate whether a fabric or metal carport would be better.
I have a King Canopy carport, the 10x20 Hercules one, and it has held up really well for a fabric carport. During a particularly bad snow storm last winter though I went out every few hours (round the clock) to knock snow and ice off of the roof. During really windy storms I worry it might collapse or take flight. We have it nestled in on a low spot between a hill and a stand of trees and it seems to help.
A metal carport might be a better option for you. Carolina Carports has their pricing sheets on their website so you can see what it would cost to raise the height to one appropriate for your horses. When you move on you can either sell it on craigslist or have it dismantled and move it with you (installation companies often do this, and I’ve seen guys on craigslist also offer this service).
Hmmmm…choosing between fabric or metal roofing seems to be the main price driver…
Take a close look at any metal edges on the carports. Some of the edges are incredibly sharp. A boarding barn near us used them in turnouts and had some lacerations.
[QUOTE=eaconlee;7807257]
Take a close look at any metal edges on the carports. Some of the edges are incredibly sharp. A boarding barn near us used them in turnouts and had some lacerations.[/QUOTE]
I agree. Even the “finished” edges on our carport are incredibly sharp. I worry about my kids running in to them.
Wood framed metal buildings usually have the metal end at the edge of the wood frame, which allows the metal edges to be trimmed/finished out and hidden or covered. Lots of metal framed carports have the metal extend well past the frame, which doesn’t allow the sharp edges to be finished in the same manner. Another drawback to this design with horses is that there is NO support for that sheet of metal if a horse were to rub on it… It will bend very easily.
Definitely something to consider and discuss with the builder… They might build it differently if they know it is for horses.
If you are going to have the walls come to the ground I would not use a metal car port. Too much of a kicking risk.
Like someone else said, how well a fabric model holds up depends greatly on where you live and what the weather conditions will be.
I know it will cost more but have you considered buying one of those prefabricated wood run ins?
I’m thinking now of a metal frame, with either a metal or fabric roof, and making seperate wooden kick boards for the one side facing the wind. I don’t like the idea of metal sheathing coming down to where the ponies are. I’d have to cover it in kick board anyway.
Looks like I can get a roof only, fabic covered, 12 X 21 carport in a kit for about $300
The wood loafing sheds start at about 2K
Hmmmm …
You could slip PVC tubes over those legs. I’d then maybe fill the gaps around the top of the PVC with foam insulation so they don’t become havens for wasps…
These do not stand up to heavy wind and storms. We had a metal frame one that is cemented to the ground and the top was destroyed in a wind storm. Two friends used these for hay and also lost them within a year. I do not recommend.
I have a metal carport as a shelter in one pasture, and the horses love it. It’s extra tall, with no walls, just the roof. It’s by far my horses’ favorite run-in they have ever had. I think they like the visibility out of it. I haven’t had any issues with wind, in five years, or injury for that matter.
My mom just re-did her carport to make an additional stall. She enclosed it with rough sawn wood and it looks awesome. I’m loving the fact that the stall is 10 x 20’ (the other 1/2 is hay storage). It’s only temporary since her shedrow is being built as we speak. PM me if you want more info/photos.
Here it is partially covered: https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10406813_778181726135_2607055592477024420_n.jpg?oh=870c3121e06b6efe335a3dfafae2c6de&oe=54B19912 (yes my car and my pony… my two babies 
)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10538484_813479214685_6412833124568949835_n.jpg?oh=b1cc2d3424442f5e6aad03133bccee1c&oe=54BF4139&gda=1421162068_4e4895c12b9f6ca7e34c09b102e5c414
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10155679_813479144825_8486536472637391633_n.jpg?oh=bd5a4404cffff860268764eb31389abf&oe=54F6FDC4&gda=1421718627_52b4d0617f9a5589dd42c2f99578ed79
Jealoushe:
Were they metal roofed or fabric?
This is the one I am considering for my pasture. http://www.tscstores.com/12-X-20-X-9-BARN-STYLE-SHELTER-P37523.aspx Or I may go with the same style in the 11’ option.
Around here, you can get portable purpose-built horse shelters for about $1200. Metal frames that accept plywood sides. You’ll want something local to you but as an example:
http://martinranchsupply.com/content/thrifty-stall-pasture-shelter
We have a metal roofed carport that we are enclosing as a multi-purpose shed. It will have room for horses in really foul weather. It is (I think) 20’x22’ with 8’ legs, so it’s ~11’ at the peak. The corners of the roof are finished, but still 90 degree metal corners. However, I don’t consider them much more of a risk than having horses in general. We are making the walls for this shed with privacy fence panels from Lowe’s. We are planning a kickboard along the inside of the wall that horses will be exposed to.
Here it is so far: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203022430545793&l=f4d9f37fc7 We sandwiched the panels to the metal legs with a 2x4 and 3 bolts.
The carport was around $800 with delivery and setup. Panels are $25-30/ea. Not super cheap, but not breaking the bank, either.
I found a metal roof-only 12 X 21 (installed) carport in 14 gauge for $799. It’s a “go”. I don’t want metal down where a horse could kick it, and the extreme heat/sun here will cut the lifespan of a fabric roof very short, I’m afraid.
I plan to sink fence posts next to the frame on one long side so I can make kick boards flush with the open side facing away from the fence, for a bit of a windbreak.
I think I can do it for about $1,000.00
The pipe structures of the same size are about three times as much with no wood included…
I think it’s going to be a great option, since I can take it with me or sell it if I move…
mht - we just put up that exact “shelter”. I read all the reviews, good and bad, and we decided it was cheap enough to just roll the dice with it. It wasn’t too bad to put up, the horse doesn’t mind going in, even when the wind is blowing and the tarp is making noises and the frame is creaking. It is surprisingly good at keeping out the elements, even in the open front when the wind (and rain) is coming from that direction. I am only expecting it to last the one year, and then we will either use this frame and side it with wood, or build a true wooden shelter. We got ours for $500 from Can. Tire.
Anyway… here’s hoping it is going to be okay. Good luck with yours!
My only thing to figure out now is what to do inside for bedding. They have completely packed it down in there, and it is staying dry enough, but I want something to absorb the urine and encourage laying down in the winter. Not sure I want to go to the trouble of excavating and putting down crushed stone for a base since this is only temporary. I might just go the straw route and suffer through a winter of mucking out straw. It will have to be super thick to make a bed. Not sure…
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
