I’m looking for inexpensive shelter ideas for one of my paddocks. I saw the shelter logic sheds. Has anyone used these? Any other ideas that are similar? Has anyone ever used the shelterlogic that covers a panel corral? I would be interested in possibly making a temporary stall as well as putting an extra shelter in this paddock. Thanks!
I wouldn’t use a shelter logic shed if you have any amount of wind. I know they are auger anchored to the ground, but I don’t’ think it would be enough to really anchor it in a heavy wind. It’s a little redneck, but you could always do a pallet and tarp shed. I have 4 of them on the farm now. 1 to replace the big storage shed/garage we lost in a big storm a few months ago, 2 for goats, and 1 for my old pony and her buddy that were getting bullied out of the big shed in bad weather. The pony shed is almost 2 years old now, and still going strong. I have replaced the tarp though when we got 70+ mph straight line winds. The redneck shed was still standing, minus the tarp, but our big heavy Amish built garage shed went flying into the cow pasture. Here’s pics of the first redneck pallet shed.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153395986415922.1073741896.576450921&type=1&l=6b349d8d87
We have a shelter logic type of shed for our hay. I wouldn’t use one for a horse shelter. When the wind blows, it flaps and “heaves.” My horses would be terrified of it.
Thanks for the feedback. That’s what I wanted to know- if the shelters flapped when the wind blew. None of my idiots will go anywhere near it if it makes any noise.
Pallet shed is an interesting option. I assume that tarp blows too?
Second option was to get a pre-fabbed metal shelter (no sides, just a roof). I think that might be the way we end up going.
The metal carports is what we were planning on doing, were going to start with one for hay on the side of the barn, then do one out in the big field.
Then we found out that even these things, that aren’t permanently anchored to the ground and not a permanent structure, require a $250+ permit to the county. “Any structure a human can use for shelter.” So, I’m pretty sure I’d have to even get a permit for pallets and tarp, technically ;-). Check your local ordinances!
We had a temporary one two years ago for our alpacas. It didn’t even last the whole winter, the wind tore it apart, and we live in a mild climate. Hubby ended up calling a local sawmill this last fall who sold us AMAZING hemlock and we were able to build them a very nice little shelter (12x36") for less than $300.
We built our shelter pretty inexpensively, but the tin was free (removed from a friend’s pole building that he re-sided) and DH is a contractor, so he knows how to build things. Maybe check craigslist or something for used tin.
There are some decent fabric buildings out there, but they aren’t cheap – take a look at Farmtek’s website to get an idea of the construction of one that’ll last. There are regional companies that make similar but smaller hoop-style sheds with pipe and rubberized tarp – sort of a super-Shelter-Logic – I’ve never tried one but the ones at my feed store look like they’d last 5 years or so. Shelter Logic’s hoop-style run-in shed is their least-flappy, most horse-friendly design . . . but, anchoring them safely is the main problem. I know a herd of goats that does great in one, but horses. Mmm. I’ve never seen an anchor + wire situation that wouldn’t be potentially lethal.
My horses tear stuff up. If you’re housing saintly horses who aren’t into property destruction, maybe you could figure it out :winkgrin:. I have an 8 x 10 Shelter Logic for storage. The tarp part lasted 2 years and now it’s shredding at the pressure points. The frame is strong but one itchy horse butt could total it. I’m going to wrap it in wire and turn it into a chicken run.
1 Like
I have a 10 by 20 one for hay. Would not use for the horses. Even though it is anchored, it did walk a foot east due to winds. Love it for the hay though.
hay stays dry? can I see your setup?
I don’t have any pictures. It is about 40 feet to the north of my barn. Faces west. The hay is up on pallets inside. Was about to store about 250 small bales, got me through the winter (200 more inside the barn). The one thing I did during the winter was to go in and push the roof from the bottom to let snow drop off sides so as not to stretch or stress the material. People who have had problems had the material wearing/tearing over the rafter poles.Happy to answer any questions.
Northern Tools sells shed kits that use standard lumber and don’t require any angle cutting. You can get one set for a tiny shed, but using more than one set can get you a 10’ x 14’ building, and 3 sets get you a 10’ x 22’ building. Height would depend on the length of lumber.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_572_572
I am intrigued by this.
I know a fellow who just buys 4x4 12’ posts, sinks them into the ground, and builds a cheap shed with OSB panels.
Also this site has some interesting and cheapish plans for home built shelters.
http://myoutdoorplans.com/category/animals-other/
How cheap is “cheap”? These sturdy run ins cost me $3000 each…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUZiI4mByFo/?taken-by=vxf111
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMbhO8SgyPB/?tagged=runinshed
They were made by Cottage Works in Lancaster Co PA
