Metal roof on run in stalls - rain noise? Spray insulation? Make cozy?

[UpHillFarm]

I have run in stalls with a “naked” metal roof (nothing btwn it and the purlins). It rains here - a lot - and my horses are happy to eat in their stalls but then bugger off outside to soak. I’m wondering if the noise from the rain is bugging them, because it does get going and make it impossible to hear outside noises…they do hang out in them on sunny days.

Has anyone successfully quieted down a metal roof? The thing sweats like crazy too, regardless of a heck of a lot of ventilation so I’m thinking 2 birds…

Experiences with similar? Please share!

[Libby2563]

Standing outside in the rain when they’ve got a perfectly good shelter just sounds like normal horse behavior to me!

I have a metal shed too and I think they were concerned the first time they heard rain on it but got over it quickly. They do use it when it’s really pouring or cold and rainy, but sometimes they stand out in the rain too. Do your horses look unhappy outside in the rain?

[Lolliver]

I’ve also got a metal roof. Mine stand in it happy as clams when the weather is poor. They don’t seem to mind the noise.

[Bluey]

Metal roof here also, not a problem, our horses run under there every few drops, they know to get out of the rain.

We don’t get that much rain, but when we do, hail and all, the noise can get wild under there, but they don’t care if it keeps them dry.

[allons-y]

2 out of 3 or mine don’t care about noise. The one outlier ( the Pony) is generally skittish, and doesnt like to be in (trapped in his words) any way. If it’s too windy, noisy, he won’t come in, even for grain. The OTTB says " Thank God, it’s horrible out, where’s my Blankie and Alfalfa", The Ranch Beast says “what weather/noise?”.

[NoSuchPerson]

None of my mules ever liked the sound of rain pounding on the tin roof. More than once I have seen them suddenly startle ad go dashing outside when rain started pouring down or increased in intensity. I have also mulled over the ways that one might install some kind of insulation and have not come up with any effective, affordable ideas.

My current mule will sometimes stand under the shed in the rain, with his head and neck sticking out in the rain.

[2DogsFarm]

My metal pole barn has insulation in the roof only - not for quiet but to prevent condensation.
@NoSuchPerson insulation is foam board, relatively cheap & easy to install

It does get noisy - so loud I can’t hear the radio in a real downpour - but the sound never seems to bother the horses.
Stalls are open to pasture year-round, so if the noise was a factor they could go out.

[Garythesquirrel]

I have a 10 X 20 run-in with a naked metal roof. The noise isn’t an issue but the condensation is. Mr Gary installed the foam board insulation mentioned above, works great for the condensation problem.

[UpHillFarm]

@Libby2563

Standing outside in the rain when they’ve got a perfectly good shelter just sounds like normal horse behavior to me!

I have a metal shed too and I think they were concerned the first time they heard rain on it but got over it quickly. They do use it when it’s really pouring or cold and rainy, but sometimes they stand out in the rain too. Do your horses look unhappy outside in the rain?

It’s hard to say - I’m so annoyed at them having built and bedded these lovely dry stalls for them to stand and soak in the rain…They are blanketed but do get sopping wet and just…sit…

Perhaps another angle - their stalls are quite far apart - and once in them they can’t see each other - would they hang out more if they were side by side? Their paddocks are side by side, but their is a stall btwn them and the walls are solid.

I need these horses to be stall bunnies!!

Thanks all.

[happilyretired]

Sounds like they’ve been taking lessons from a cat …“if you know your human wants you to do something …do the opposite”.

[NoSuchPerson]

@2DogsFarm

@NoSuchPerson insulation is foam board, relatively cheap & easy to install

.

Do you just screw it onto the rafters under the roof or do you fit it between the rafters and screw into the purlins?

[Bluey]

Consider getting bids from those companies that spray foam insulation.
Some of that is not that expensive and you can even paint over it if you want to.

One of our well houses is concrete block with insulation.
The other one is plain metal with spray insulation and it is the best insulated one.
They probably can spray a horse shed or small barn for little, between bigger jobs.

[UpHillFarm]

@happilyretired

Sounds like they’ve been taking lessons from a cat …“if you know your human wants you to do something …do the opposite”.

Happily… you nailed it - they are basically big, expensive cats at this point. Sigh.

[UpHillFarm]

@Bluey

Consider getting bids from those companies that spray foam insulation.
Some of that is not that expensive and you can even paint over it if you want to.

One of our well houses is concrete block with insulation.
The other one is plain metal with spray insulation and it is the best insulated one.
They probably can spray a horse shed or small barn for little, between bigger jobs.

You smartie you are right on! Had a fellow out this morning and he said about the same - quick job, close to his office, quick to do. Still much more $$ than the alternatives. I’m on the fence!!! He didn’t seem to think it would stop a lot of the noise, but would improve it.

I guess I could always move into the spare stall…someone should be enjoying this bloody thing.

[allons-y]

I think it’s just their nature. A downpour always puts mine in the “I must simply endure trance”. They turn tails to the wind, lower their heads, and well, just endure until it’s over. I have learned they will not move once it’s started. I have failed enough times trying to coax them in, drag them in, shoo them in, to know when to give up. Once the storm is over they are happy to come in, lol. I just keep myself and the dog inside now, and wonder too why I have run in sheds and a barn.

[jawa]

Mine stay under the shelter more if there is food available there. I had one hard keeper that was VERY frustrating. He hated being stalled, but wouldn’t get out of the rain, which would cause him to get a chill…and once chilled he wouldn’t eat. I started putting hay in the run in. He finally became accustomed to being in there with the yummy hay.

It does mean that I have significantly more cleaning to do, but if it keeps them dry and warm and fed…

[UpHillFarm]

@allons-y

I think it’s just their nature. A downpour always puts mine in the “I must simply endure trance”. They turn tails to the wind, lower their heads, and well, just endure until it’s over. I have learned they will not move once it’s started. I have failed enough times trying to coax them in, drag them in, shoo them in, to know when to give up. Once the storm is over they are happy to come in, lol. I just keep myself and the dog inside now, and wonder too why I have run in sheds and a barn.

Thank you - this is exactly what mine are doing - we’ve had heavy torrential rains for a week here They’re blanketed ear to tail and stand out in their paddocks and stream water off their sides.

Then yes… rain pauses or it’s time for a new hay net and they pop into their stalls. Sigh. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m not alone!