I have posted before asking for advice on barn building. Mine is coming soon. Now I’m thinking of other things like fencing and run-outs. Would anyone be willing to post pictures of their barns, inside and out and how you design your run-outs? I need to see it before I can figure out what I want. My barn will likely be a 36 x 36 with 3 stalls on one side with run-outs to a fenced in area (can’t say pasture because it’s not really but will be a few acres.). Thank you.
Glad to oblige
I too have a mere “farmette” - 5ac total, probably 3+ dedicated to barn/arena/pastures
Here is my 36X36 pole barn (attached to 60X120 indoor)
No separate runouts, but stalls open to the drylot, which in turn opens to pasture on each side
This pic is from Year One, so pasture was an optimistic euphemism, no grass came in for the first several years.
Now I have to mow the paddock area, but just to keep down the roughs
Here are the stalls - Dutch doors at back open to paddock - 2 along one wall with a mini-sized added last year [IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:"https://i.imgur.com/KxE1Uqb.jpg)
Mini stall under construction [IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:"https://i.imgur.com/PvkxMB8.jpg)
Current Herd of 3, enjoying the drylot (14yrs later) with access to smaller pasture just out of sight
[IMG2=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“full”,“src”:"https://i.imgur.com/3PHhDL4.jpg?1)
I have a three-stall barn, two stalls with runouts, but mine is L-shaped, not a center aisle. I agree with Bluey on making the runs as big as possible. Mine are each 45x90 which are a nice size, but when the horses are off the pasture for weeks at a time in the winter when it’s too wet or icy, I sure wish the paddocks were bigger. Both paddocks have gates at the end that open to the back pasture, which is also my sacrifice in winter. Another pasture is in front.
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@costco_muffins That’s pretty much the setup I’m envisioning! Thanks! Any more pics?
@SugarCubes thanks! Those look very spacious!
@Bluey Thanks- Great idea- I have that same picture saved. Cute barn
@2DogsFarm - Thank you! Nice setup
We studied photos of barn pros barns and modeled after those as well as a barn that I grew up riding at. My husband and I built the barn ourselves.
More photos are at sharkeyfarm.weebly.com
This is making me want my own barn.
I don’t have pics but my set up is very similar to Costco’s. I have a 36x60 pole barn with three stalls, sliders into aisle, Dutch doors that open to a 12x48 overhang that we added ourselves. That’s matted and is open to a mud free paddock (geotextile cloth with screenings) that’s roughly 80 x 60. I can divide as needed with steel panels. That paddock opens to an acre of pasture.
The pole barn also stores our hay, has a feed room and a chicken coop built in it.
OP I dont yet have runs added. I have the space, made paddocks that are multi-use. My 36 x 36 currently has 3 horses and two are airferns. I still need to build overhangs and cut outside doors. (Where is that dang $$$ I want? Oh I remember, it’s all going down the OTTB’s skinny gullet!)
@TheJenners OMG Burritos! Your pics are very dangerous for me!
I’m following this for more ideas.
@twocolabear Thanks! What kind of wood is that in the first picture?
I think it’s pine. The barn was built 30years ago by previous owner.
These pix are all so great! When I was a boarder, I would’ve been thrilled to be at any of these farms. I have to say that a great run-in with good air flow and fans will be your best friend. We have 7 stalls, but only one has a run-in with it. The others are lead to the run-in shelters to hang for the day or night. The one attached to the stall is always open(except in frigid weather) and he hangs in and out, and sometimes both at the sametime(noncommittal). I think it would be wise to have one be a little smaller in the terrible event that you do have a lay-up. It’s nice to have one that they can’t get a huge head of steam in but can still be out and next to their buddies. Good luck! Having the horses at home is so great and truly a childhood dream!
One comment about air flow: too much can be a bad thing. I can’t keep bedding in my stalls unless I shut the exterior doors… Especially if there is a strong west wind (ie, all summer). A little easier in the winter when it’s all from the south. I didn’t get to pick how to orient my barn since it was already here, but honestly, I probably would have oriented it the same way because I like 90 degree angles and my property is a long rectangle.
I just finished my barn last fall. It’s 48x40’, 12x14’ stalls with a 12’ aisle. 4 stalls on one side, the other is hay storage, tack room, and crap storage which could be a 5th stall some day. I set up my wash stall in the aisle way. Currently only have 2 horses, and a mini. I designed the runs to be 12x60’ when full, but right now, they are 24x60’, with the mini just having a 12x12’ run. They have access to the runs 24/7 when they are in which in the winter is all the time, my airfern currently doesn’t get turn out, just the dry run. Right now my gelding and mini do get turned out all day.
Love everyone’s pictures!
I probably won’t have my barn for a couple more years, but planning.
One thing I would suggest at the end of your runs is to have a TRACTOR width size gate, and not just a small gate. If you do have a tractor or Bobcat or similar, it’s much easier to clean out the pens if you can get the tractor inside to scrape. Or then you can even drive it right up to the stall opening (with tractor bucket) for easy reach when you need to strip a stall’s bedding.
Work smarter, not harder!!
One barn in my area, made their center aisle large enough for their Bobcat to turn around in, and then made the stall front completely open up, so they could use the Bobcat to clean out / strip stalls. This particular barn did not have runs attached to them; they were just indoor stalls.
I have nothing to add, just that there are some really nice set ups you COTHERS have!
I also have nothing to add, but I am LOVING these photos and they are giving me major inspiration for hopefully having my own place one day.