The best layout for a horse barn depends on your specific needs. Variables to consider include the size of your herd, daily traffic levels, your climate, and the specific long-term goals you have for the barn and your property as a whole.
On this page, you’ll find some insight into layout options for horse barns so you can begin to determine what makes the most sense for your needs. When the time comes to start designing your building, reach out to American Carports, Inc., or use our Build & Price tool to experiment with your own designs. It would be a pleasure to serve you!
What Are Some Popular Horse Barn Layout Styles?
There are many different types of horse barn layouts you can consider for this upcoming project.
- Center Aisle Barn. A great choice when you need interior working space and easy access to the horses during poor weather conditions.
- Shed Row Barn. This is a simple barn structure ideal for those who don’t want the cost or hassle of a big, enclosed indoor workspace.
- U-Shaped Barn. This type of barn will often be used for larger operations that have a significant number of horses to manage.
- L-Shaped Barn. For a mid-size herd that would benefit from having some interior space while still maintaining a relatively compact footprint.
Which Dimensions Should Be Considered in the Design?
The first dimension you want to think about is the size of the stalls that will be included in your barn. Average horses are served well by stalls that are around 10’ x 12’, but you might need to go a bit bigger if you have large horses.
Also, if you have an aisle in your barn, it should be at least 10’ wide. A wider aisle will be ideal if you want to bring equipment in and out of the barn easily, or if many people will be working in the space at the same time. Finally, be sure to think about the size of the tack room and feed room, to ensure that storage capacity won’t become a problem.
How Do You Pick the Best Layout for Your Barn?
It all starts by thinking about the needs of your herd. How many horses do you own now, and do you plan on getting more in the future? Also, what types of services do you offer on your property? The basics of how you’ll be using the barn dictate what layout makes the most sense.
You will also need to think about your budget for the project. If you have plenty of money to spend on the best possible barn now, you can invest in a sizable agricultural structure that you can grow into over time. On the other hand, if the budget is tight, consider starting with something small, like a shed row barn that you may be able to expand on in the future.
Design a Custom Horse Barn
This is not the kind of project that you should take on alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to. Since American Carports, Inc. is here to serve you, there will always be an experienced partner just a phone call away to help you take this project from idea to completion. Contact us now to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal stall size for a horse barn?
For an average horse, a stall that is roughly 10’ x 12’ will work well. If you have larger horses, you might want to increase those dimensions by one or two feet. It’s important that the horse is comfortable in the stall and is able to turn around and lie down without any trouble.
How wide should the main aisle of the barn be?
Aim for a minimum of ten feet of width for the main aisle in your horse barn. This makes it easy to move things around and bring the horses in and out. If you will have more than one person working in the barn, or if you have big horses, a wider aisle will make life easier.
Should stalls have doors on both sides?
Ideally, yes, although it’s not practical for every barn. If you can have doors on both sides, you’ll gain flexibility, and it will become easier to move the horses around throughout the day. Of course, if doors on both sides don’t really work for your situation, you can still build an excellent barn with just one door for each stall.
What barn layouts are good for smaller properties?
If you have a small property with only a few horses, consider a shed row barn, or an L-shaped layout. These are affordable structures that can provide everything you need, including safe stalls for your horses and storage for all your tack.
