Pasture run in sheds in Florida

[lorilu]

I have finally (I think) found someone to build a run in shed. Here in Central FL, all we really need is a roof for shade/rain - not so much winter winds, etc.
I plan to build one that bridges two pastures (single fence, no allyway) and put a platform for a pasture bale at the fence (removing the top rail) so both horses can access it.

My question is about size. I’m thinking 20 x 10… the half size pasture bale is about the size of a pallet, so that will leave at least 8 ft of roof on each side of it, by 10 foot wide. Only one horse in each pasture.

Any suggestions, warnings, etc??

[AKB]

Here in VA, I would want it bigger. The afternoon sun gets very strong under a run in if it has no wall on the west side and if it is small.

[Simkie]

Is the fenceline situated that both fields will still have shade in the afternoon as the sun moves across the sky? If it’s just a roof, that square of shade will shift considerably throughout the day.

Agree with AKB that bigger is better!

[lorilu]

The roof would not be the only shade in the pasture. There is a very large live oak that shades both sides of the fence line, one side from mid day on, the other side all day long. The roof will be oriented long side E - W. It would mostly be to protect the square bale from rain in the winter. In the summer, the bale “table” (holder) would be removed as I have excellent grass and do not feed hay in the summer, unless the horse needs to be in the stall for some reason.

[froglander]

I too live in central Florida (my run-in shelter is a sturdy carport) and by afternoon, there is no shade under the shelter, it is all to the east of it. Afternoon sun is brutal! I have a 20x25 carport and the long dimension runs east/west. That afternoon sun is the reason that I put the part he uses on the east side (he gets 10x20). I am pondering either adding an overhang on the west side, or some shade cloth, or something, someday when I can afford it.

[Simkie]

Ah. Well, if it’s just a cover for your bale I guess that would work. How big are the bales? At first I though you were talking about the 3x3x7 or the 4x3s or the 4x4s, but sounds smaller than that?

Maybe a hay hut would be an easier, cheaper, less permanent solution?

[NoSuchPerson]

I have a 30 ft x 10 ft (the roof overhangs a foot on each side, so it covers 12 ft.) run in shed in my largest pasture. I put a round bale, inside a round bale ring, in the middle 10 x 10 section.

I use shade cloth walls to block the sun and provide some shade.

[lorilu]

Thanks all. The compressed half bales are about 4x4x4 or so. Looks like it’s going to be 12x24, a bit bigger. Like I said, there is other shade in the two paddocks. I like the shade cloth idea… I think hay huts are built for round bales; these compressed pasture bales are lots smaller.

[Simkie]

A 4x4x4 bale would fit quite nicely in a hay hut, I think. Really might be something to consider before taking the plunge into the roof you’re considering. Certainly a lot of pluses with something that can be moved anywhere in the field and has sides to protect from driving rain!

[lorilu]

Since the bale will be serving two fields, placed on the common fence line, I am not so sure a Hay Hut is the way to go. Besides, right now we are looking at a hurricane and I don’t think it can be adequately tied down in a safe manner. Thanks for the suggestion, though.