There are numerous reasons to consider building a shelter for your horse. The Northwest has all types of extreme weather, from monsoon-type rain to deep snow and merciless sun. It is now the law in some areas that if you own a horse you must provide shelter. It also just makes sense to give our equine friends some relief from the elements.

Following are some questions to answer before you choose the type of shelter you wish to build. Do you own the land? How much do you want to spend? How large a shelter do you want to build? Do you want solid or open sides? Do you get a lot of snow in your area? Do you experience strong winds? What is zoning in your area?

If you own land and plan on staying for some time, a stationary barn is a possible solution. Of course, a barn will involve far more expense than a shelter. The focus of this article is to assist those who wish to build a temporary shelter. Shelters are often termed “temporary” even if they are intended for long term use. The term implies that the shelter may be disassembled and moved. Most of the shelter systems on the market are light-weight and may be disassembled and moved by two people.

Snow and Wind Considerations
These are two very important considerations when buying a shelter. Because most shelters are relatively light (thus keeping the cost down) snow accumulation can be a significant factor. Generally the rated snow load on a shelter roof is 30-40 pounds per square foot. I’m often asked how deep the snow would be to be rated at 40 pounds per square foot. There is no way to accurately answer that question since the weight of snow varies greatly, depending on the moisture content. The mountainous northwest has many counties in which the rating for new construction is 140 pounds per square foot. This tells you that you must keep a close eye on your shelter and you may have to push snow off if it builds up. I’m often asked if we could build a shelter that would take a greater snow load. Yes, we could, but the price would go up. There’s no trick to building a structure that will take unlimited weight on the roof. It’s all a matter of cost.

Wind is the other critical consideration. Every shelter must be anchored. When you put roof sheeting on the top it becomes a giant sail and the amount of upward lift on the corners in staggering. There are various ways of anchoring but most people use anchor stakes, also called screw anchors. They are available at most farm stores and co-ops and they are available in various sizes.

Configuration of the Shelter
The term shelter implies something fairly small. Many models are 12’ by 12’. They are designed to be bolted to 12’ corral panels (or 12’ horse stall panels) set up in a square pen. With some models, pens may be bolted together, side by side, or put several in a row. Some designs allow a configuration where two shelters face each other with a breezeway between them. With some designs, you will be able to continually add to your shelter and expand its size.

Roof and Sides
Generally shelters are roofed with sheet metal. This can be purchased at lumberyards and home centers. It’s attached with screws that go through the sheeting and into the metal roof beams. Some temporary shelters use canvas for the roof material.

Another consideration is whether you want a solid side (or more than one) to serve as a windbreak. There are various ways of doing this. Some manufacturers use plywood or fiberglass reinforced plywood, while others use a solid horse stall panel as a solid side.

Placing the corners of your shelter on some sort of ground pad or cement paver will hold the structure up and prevent it from sinking into the ground. At least one manufacturer is now offering a galvanized corner pad for that purpose.

Quality Considerations
In an earlier article on corral panels, I made the comment, that in livestock equipment you’re likely to get what you pay for. That is also true for barns and shelters.
Shelters are now offered in painted and galvanized models. For those who want the maximum in protection, hot-dipped galvanized corral and stall panels are available.

If you wish to know the zoning requirements in your area, talk to a contractor. They can generally answer your questions. Also, extension offices are a good source of information. In many areas, you won’t need a building permit to erect a shelter, but it’s always best to check.

When considering the purchase of any piece of equipment, it’s prudent to do some homework. Your system can be as simple as a single 12’ by 12’ or as elaborate as you choose. Shop around. Ask tough questions. Use the Internet. Talk to your local farm store or co-op. They can generally help you with designs, pricing and availability.

Build a shelter for your best friends. They deserve it.

Martin Wilke is district manager for Behlen Country. Visit the website www.behlencountry.com for more information