Shelter options

[paintedtrails]

Looking for some opinions on shelters as this land deal with the neighbor is moving forward!
(will have 2 horses, no more than 3 planned in the future)

I’ve been in a debate with myself on getting a “shelterlogic” run-in type as it is a completely removable idea, and easy enough for just my hubby and I to spend a weekend putting up… VS having a carport put up and ground anchored. Would still technically be removable, but unlikely I’d would take it down later.

I see the pros of the shelterlogic as cost and disposability (later) per say…but the risk is that it wouldn’t survive more than a year and I’d HAVE to do something else for shelter when horses are now living on property (vs that I can wait to move them till shelter is up)…and a con that isn’t easily built upon later.

The pros of a carport is that it is Solid - I will have no worries about wind or snow issues, but at least 2+ times the cost of the shelterlogic depending what way I have it built… Roof only to build into later if I want to (like mare motel style), or a tunnel/2 full sided & roof (which also could be built upon)

There are some natural sheltered areas of trees, but I still want to put something up as I know at least one of my guys loves having a shelter.

Thoughts?!

[trubandloki]

I missed your posts about the land deal. Are you buying this land or renting it? That makes a difference.

I live in a spot that the field has little wind protection so where I live something like the Shelter Logic structure probably would not last well so to me they are not a good choice.

I am not sure what you mean by a carport.

Do you have to pay taxes on your shelter if it is considered a permanent building where you live? Are permits required?

[paintedtrails]

Sorry - This is land I’m leasing - so I don’t want to do anything super costly for the day when I know it will need to either come down or be left behind.

Carport pic (tunnel style - just remove sides for roof only option)

No permits will be required as it won’t be a fully enclosed building, so also no taxes.

[paintedtrails]

Another option I forgot about…even more future portability, and can just keep adding “stalls” as needed:
ShelterLogic Corral Shelter Livestock Shade — 12ft. x 12ft., Model# 51523 over 3 12’ corral panels (would need to be purchased).
This removes the idea of placing a hay bale in a central location under a large open shelter tho…

[lilitiger2]

I just got a run in fully assembled very reasonably. 12 x 18. Delivered and set on site. We built our own 12 x 36 run in but wow even from a kit with uber handy husband, that was quite the labor
. Too windy where I am for carport thing. Run in does need some ventilation but very very pleased.

[trubandloki]

The type of thing that @lilitiger2 posted is the type of thing I was thinking of. Comes fully assembled and just plops down somewhere. Constructed well enough that it can withstand wind and horse abuse.

[paintedtrails]

Would love to get one like that …but can’t get one that is pre-built into this property - roads are too winding and not enough clearance to get to. And build-on site considerably raises the price.

[lilitiger2]

@paintedtrails

Would love to get one like that …but can’t get one that is pre-built into this property - roads are too winding and not enough clearance to get to. And build-on site considerably raises the price.

actually I was surprised - it was cheaper than a kit!!! who knew?
you might call and ask around about clearance and all that. I am also on a dirt road, hair pin turn coming up and the guy (one guy) made it with a 70 ft trailer. He uses a little remote controlled mule and wheels to get it right where you want it. Yes it does require some site prep - I guess you don’t have to but I flattened an area and had gravel put down.
You’re in VA? You might have some local builders do it, or contact Horizons - they are one company I know does them, and they are in PA.

[OTTBs]

@paintedtrails

Another option I forgot about…even more future portability, and can just keep adding “stalls” as needed:
ShelterLogic Corral Shelter Livestock Shade — 12ft. x 12ft., Model# 51523 over 3 12’ corral panels (would need to be purchased).
This removes the idea of placing a hay bale in a central location under a large open shelter tho…

I didn’t know these existed until Farm and Fleet had them on sale in the last month. It is only shade though, no sides (unless those are available separately?) I debated getting a couple for my pasture since I doubt I’ll ever get my 2nd run-in shed moved back there. I was wondering if they can be assembled using 5 panels for 2 connected stalls, or if they each need 3 panels to make it work?

[Bluey]

Look at all these carports people have adapted to horse sheds:

images for carports as horse stalls

They will work fine in a pinch, but they probably will also be falling apart soon.
Horses and weather are hard on those, why most build stronger type structures for them.

[wildlifer]

Not all “carports” are the same. My horses’ shed (primary living space, I did not build a barn, don’t need one) is technically a carport but-

It’s wind engineered for 120 mph winds. It is heavier gauge steel to stand up to butt itching. It also has hurricane anchors.

I bought it with no walls, built redneck half walls myself. It has already been through 3 hurricanes, a couple tropical storms & plenty of regular storms including an insane tstorms that literally exploded my Rubbermaid feed shed.

I bought it from Carolina Carports, they have a very helpful spec tool on their site. I like mine so much I bought a 2nd one for my hay.

I had a Shelter logic thing for a couple years for hay. It was OK as a temporary thing, but really is a disposable item. I think money is better spent on metal. And they are not very hard to disassemble & move, it’s literally just taking screws out.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

@wildlifer I love my Carolina Carport! Mine started as just the roof, then I added three 8 foot walls under the ten foot high roof myself for a run-in for the horses.
Then I got chickens, so I added a fourth eight foot wall with a big screened window and screen door and turned the back part into a 10x10 chicken house (the “screen” is hardware cloth to keep out critters).
Then I added a wall twelve feet out, roofed it over, and have a run-in open at both ends.
Mine’s made it through Matthew and Florence.

[wildlifer]

A window AND a door ?! So fancy, lol!

[paintedtrails]

@wildlifer

Not all “carports” are the same. My horses’ shed (primary living space, I did not build a barn, don’t need one) is technically a carport but-

It’s wind engineered for 120 mph winds. It is heavier gauge steel to stand up to butt itching. It also has hurricane anchors.

I bought it with no walls, built redneck half walls myself. It has already been through 3 hurricanes, a couple tropical storms & plenty of regular storms including an insane tstorms that literally exploded my Rubbermaid feed shed.

I bought it from Carolina Carports, they have a very helpful spec tool on their site. I like mine so much I bought a 2nd one for my hay.

I had a Shelter logic thing for a couple years for hay. It was OK as a temporary thing, but really is a disposable item. I think money is better spent on metal. And they are not very hard to disassemble & move, it’s literally just taking screws out.

I’ve heard some serious mixed things about them and getting on the scheduled and delivered…I’ve got two local places to go talk to What did you do your 1/2walls out of? I have access to lots of free pallets - so wondering if I can use them or if just biting the bullet for plywood is better.

[wildlifer]

@paintedtrails

I’ve heard some serious mixed things about them and getting on the scheduled and delivered…I’ve got two local places to go talk to What did you do your 1/2walls out of? I have access to lots of free pallets - so wondering if I can use them or if just biting the bullet for plywood is better.

I suspect service depends some on the local rep, since they are a large company & I was fortunate to have a very good rep. I think it was maybe 4-6 weeks between order & delivery, but when it came, the crew had it set up in half a day, I was impressed.

My walls are VERY redneck – I set pallets on their ends between the wall supports, tied with precision-engineered hay string, lol, & then sandwiched them between 1/2" treated plywood. It has actually worked even better than I thought it would. The pallets were free, but the plywood I bought. That way I didn’t have to worry about any loose nails or anything else that might be on the pallets, but they gave me a free frame to attach the plywood.

I made sure each piece of plywood overlapped a metal shed support, so they have that brace strength in high winds. Everything is attached with big deck screws. My horses routinely lean on & scratch on the walls & this setup has ensured they are strong enough to take this abuse. My guys aren’t wall kickers, but there have been accidental kicks when they’ve kicked out at a fly & everything was fine.

I actually would have liked to have used 3/4" plywood, just because I tend to over-engineer things, but I build everything by myself & a 3/4" sheet is ludicrously heavy. And more expensive. The 1/2" has turned out to be fine. It’s been up 4-5 years now & it’s still good. I just painted one side this spring, which does look nicer, but dang, paint is expensive too!

ETA: here’s some pictures. http://www.teamflyingsolo.com/2019/04/capital-improvements-farm-edition.html

[paintedtrails]

@wildlifer

I suspect service depends some on the local rep, since they are a large company & I was fortunate to have a very good rep. I think it was maybe 4-6 weeks between order & delivery, but when it came, the crew had it set up in half a day, I was impressed.

My walls are VERY redneck – I set pallets on their ends between the wall supports, tied with precision-engineered hay string, lol, & then sandwiched them between 1/2" treated plywood. It has actually worked even better than I thought it would. The pallets were free, but the plywood I bought. That way I didn’t have to worry about any loose nails or anything else that might be on the pallets, but they gave me a free frame to attach the plywood.

I made sure each piece of plywood overlapped a metal shed support, so they have that brace strength in high winds. Everything is attached with big deck screws. My horses routinely lean on & scratch on the walls & this setup has ensured they are strong enough to take this abuse. My guys aren’t wall kickers, but there have been accidental kicks when they’ve kicked out at a fly & everything was fine.

I actually would have liked to have used 3/4" plywood, just because I tend to over-engineer things, but I build everything by myself & a 3/4" sheet is ludicrously heavy. And more expensive. The 1/2" has turned out to be fine. It’s been up 4-5 years now & it’s still good. I just painted one side this spring, which does look nicer, but dang, paint is expensive too!

ETA: here’s some pictures. http://www.teamflyingsolo.com/2019/04/capital-improvements-farm-edition.html

Awesome thank you! So many ideas in there I have considered but keep debating if they will work

[candyappy]

I would go with the shelterlogic over a carport.

The shelterlogic is the one with horse panels ( walls, roof) with attached tarp type material for wind, rain protection?

I see it as a more sturdy, safe option. I see feet going right through the sides of the carport, or a horse smashing it up if they try to flee in a panic from another horse( it happens in the best of herd dynamics) .

One is made with livestock in mind the other is not.

[Bluey]

Have you checked some like these:

https://gobobpipe.com/horsesheds.htm

That company ships all over the nation.

Maybe someone local to you makes those?

[paintedtrails]

So I’ve decided on a carport to ‘convert’ into a shelter - but now I’m completely torn on sizing!
I could take a 20x21 roof only and I eventually set up 3 ‘stalls’ if need be inside plus some storage.
Or, go way back to what I wanted to begin with - an open front run-in shelter with a tack/feed attached - and I can make that from a 12x21 (a 12x16 run in area with a 5x12 storage space). Then there is the middle of the road sizing, 18x21 which won’t easily do “3-stalls” someday but maybe 2 with some storage.
Do I really need stalls?? I know I could take a shelter and do make shift stalls if ever really needed and the other horses would have to use the trees in the meantime, right?

[moving_to_dc]

The Shelter Logic roof over corral panels will not hold up to wind or snow load… We had one for our kids show steer shelter. Same thinking as you, wanted it cheap, temporary and portable. It gave out in every. single. storm. and left our poor steers out in the cold and wet. We finally built internal braces for it with 2x4’s and anchored the crap out of the tarp… well, then the next storm just picked the ENTIRE thing up and threw it 70’ over the fence. The corral panels had been anchored with multiple 6’ T-posts in the ground at least 2’ - enough so the steers could rub on the panels and the panels didn’t move, but one big gust of wind sent it sailing like a kite, ripped the T-posts right out of the ground. This was in MD, in a VERY sheltered location from the wind, too. Thick evergreen trees, buildings and big trailers surrounded that pen, and still weren’t enough to block the wind.

Go with the Carolina Carport!