Favorite Aspect of Your Barn?? [Archive]

CatOnLap

Apr. 3, 2009, 11:57 AM

Several things:

Walk out stalls to paddocks- so much less handling needed (all those minutes saved add up!) With doors that can be shut in case stall rest or extra horse storage is needed (no kidding- I had 5 strays wander onto my property last year and with a 4 stall barn and 6 paddocks, I was able to safely house all my horses and the strays until they were claimed.)

Having the riding ring within 25 feet of the barn door. Many people who don't have this arrangement have remarked that it is so much more convenient than having to hand walk down to the ring, esp in bad weather.

I don't like indoors directly attached to barns, because there is a huge dust factor from the footing and nothing in those barns ever looks clean as a result.

For the same reason, I prefer a separate hay building to having a loft or hay storage in the barn. Fire safety too.

Having the barn door big enough to drive equipment through and tall enough to ride in and out of without ducking- yes, I know this is not the safest to mount inside, but it saves my saddle when it's raining, and if I ever had a horse bolt back to the barn at least I wouldn't be decapitated.

SimpleSimon

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:01 PM

My barn is still new to me - so I'm still in that madly in love part of the relationship :lol: which means that there are a ton of things that I really like. I'll limit myself to two for this thread.

We put large overhead doors on each end of the aisle with the high lift feature. So one of my favorite parts of the barn is the super-quiet door openers that we added and make opening the door as easy as pressing a button (and the interior controls also show time and temperature - an added bonus)
http://gregh.smugmug.com/gallery/5029490_T7yDt#430351365_HDjmb

My other favorite item is probably the picture windows. We have windows in the overhead doors as well. All the windows allow for a lot of natural light in the barn.
http://gregh.smugmug.com/gallery/5029490_T7yDt#P-13-12

Feel free to scroll through the album - there are so many other things I like too - covered trailer parking, storage, storage and more storage... This barn was a long time in the making (dreaming stage) for me so I'm ever so appreciative to have it.

JSwan

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:10 PM

We installed a beautiful brick floor in the aisle.

Which the horses poop on when the farrier visits.

Makes no sense but I love it anyway.

That and a climate controlled tack room with fridge and microwave.

My barn is nicer than my house. Even the goats live better than I do.

Wouldn't have it any other way. :winkgrin:

horsetales

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:20 PM

Insulated tack room with heat.

I also love our "catch pen" at one end of the barn - two fields open to a fenced area around an aisle door. If anybody escapes the barn, they are still contained in a relatively small area. In addition in an emergency could serve as in intermediate turn-out for a horse coming off stall rest that you don't want running frantically quite yet.

Love the indoor

This summer I hope to love my wash rack with hot and cold water

shakeytails

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:25 PM

My favorite thing about my barn is all the natural light- 2 skylights, windows in stalls, and windows in the end sliding doors. We rarely use lights. Pictures of my place- http://community.webshots.com/album/173549613QWbziI . If you look in the "barn stuff" album, you'll also see a couple of my favorite do-dads- the bucket hangers and the stall latches. I also really like having track on the bottom of the big barns doors to keep the doors from flopping.

Hunter Mom

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:26 PM

Indoor arena. While it isn't huge, it is certainly nice. We also have a clubhouse attached (heat, a/c, kitchen, bathrooms) that has viewing windows into the indoor. We have mirrors in strategic locations, too, so we can see what we're doing, how straight we are, etc.

yellowbritches

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:33 PM

I LOVE our barn. It is old and funky with a slightly odd, very asymmetrical layout, but I love it all the same. It's just really cute and cool. Yes. There are things that bug me- no outside doors from the stalls, air could move a bit more, but it moves enough in the summer when it counts, and the aisles are narrow...which is fine until you forget to close a savage's door while you lead someone out (they have stall chains on their doors so when they are in they don't feel like they are in prison). But it is a fun barn.

I LOVE that it stays quite toasty in the winter. It has taken super, duper cold nights (for here) to even get a little skim of ice on the buckets. I don't have to layer everyone up within an inch of their lives, and if you keep the doors closed while doing chores, you can shed a few layers.

I LOVE that humans can have access to the barn without having to roll open big barn doors (though, our barn being old and funky, the people door sticks like crazy and some people have a comically hard time opening it).

I LOVE the amount of people space, which was seriously lacking in our old barn. We have a good sized tack room with a fantastic washer and dryer, plus a whole separate office that has a fridge and microwave. And easy access to a bathroom. All are heated. I have come to realize that unless you specifically design a tack room big enough for 8-10 event riders and all the crap that comes with them, you will never have a tack room quite big enough, but this one is close (it'll be better when we re-hang saddle racks).

I LOVE the cozy feeling in this barn. It is not a huge space, but houses 12 horses very comfortably. You get a very homey, cozy feeling when you come in.

Like CatOnLap, our ring is RIGHT outside the barn doors. While we ride in the fields and on the trails plenty, it is nice to walk 10 steps and be in the ring, especially when you are in a hurry. And it is nice that we can easily look out in the ring and check on clients who are riding and even offer advice without having to leave the barn.

And I LOVE that the whole freakin property is beautiful- http://faircroftstables.com/images/barn2.jpg
http://faircroftstables.com/images/ring1.jpg That's a silly but great bonus.

equusvilla

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:46 PM

saddleup

Apr. 3, 2009, 12:56 PM

I have skylights in my barn, and I never need to turn on lights in the day.

16 foot concrete aisle makes the farrier and vets happy.

Attached 40 foot runs that open onto larger turnout paddocks make management and movement easy..horses usually have 24/7 access in or out.

OneDaySoon

Apr. 3, 2009, 01:04 PM

Although our place is really modest, we really love the pastoral setting (surrounded on three sides by a beautiful golf course) which allows us to watch the busy suburban world go by, while sitting among our animals, and drinking margaritas. It is really peaceful and we never want to go to the house.

www.doubletakefarm.net

Fence2Fence

Apr. 3, 2009, 01:20 PM

The fact that's it's mine. And I don't have to share it with boarders or deal with barn managers.

2DogsFarm

Apr. 3, 2009, 03:09 PM

I Love:

1- How my design (first-time BO/barn-builder here) worked out just about 99% as planned :yes:

2-Eavelights! Wish I'd gone for the 3', but the 2' let in so much light I hardly ever need to turn lights on even in the indoor unless I'm riding there after dark :cool:
Mine are translucent and my builder now claims to have clear panels that
won't get scratchy/streaky.

3-Arena attached to the barn (Catonlap: it's just me here so no dust problem)
In the nastiest weather I just slide open the door and walk in tacked-up horse. Last place I boarded had a nasty walk, only about 50', but partly on cement that was a Royal PITA in bad weather.

4-Turnout directly from barn. Stalls have Dutch Doors that open into my sacrifice paddock, that surrounds the barn, that opens into the pastures. I control The Vertical, I control the Horizontal! :D
They can have it all or any part I choose just by closing a gate.

5-Frostfree hydrant inside the barn
No lugging buckets ever.
Also heated buckets in stalls - no breaking ice...ever

For those of you with windows in the barn sliders - what was your cost for this option? I wish I'd chosen this type of door - strictly for cosmetic reasons, curb appeal - and I'm interested in what it might cost me to retrofit.

Nun Ya

Apr. 3, 2009, 03:20 PM

FatPalomino

Apr. 3, 2009, 04:07 PM

The fact that's it's mine. And I don't have to share it with boarders or deal with barn managers.

Exactly!!!!

We just built a professional grade climbing wall in our barn. Hubby's plans is to extend it across the ceiling. It's by the dog runs/feed room and not the horse stalls, although our horses wouldn't mind :) It's being painted now, and will post pictures soon. It makes Hubby LOVE to feed the horses!!!!

I also like having dog runs attached to the barn. Makes life easier when it's cold and windy!

equusvilla

Apr. 3, 2009, 04:29 PM

I Love:

1- How my design (first-time barn-builder here) worked out just about 99% as planned :yes:

Me too. In fact - my builder said that I was the strangest customer he had ever had because I kept telling him to make the decisions about the home area...but I was picky picky picky about the barn!! ha ahh

Here are some of my favorite barn pics.:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/SL9ax7T4C9I/AAAAAAAADPM/53gpfFt5b6Q/s1600-h/030.JPG (ariel view of the farm)

Farm House - notice cat in the window! http://bp0.blogger.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/Rnwla7iH4dI/AAAAAAAAAB8/XgkxxoAcyyk/s1600-h/EV.JPG

Barn at Christmas - http://bp0.blogger.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/R1zCwyC7zLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/vmxzhMX15Lk/s1600-h/011.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/SXTgHwpWHuI/AAAAAAAAFa0/cDk_SYoyoms/s1600-h/007.JPG (new lights)

Carrera

Apr. 3, 2009, 04:50 PM

Me too. In fact - my builder said that I was the strangest customer he had ever had because I kept telling him to make the decisions about the home area...but I was picky picky picky about the barn!! ha ahh

Here are some of my favorite barn pics.:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/SL9ax7T4C9I/AAAAAAAADPM/53gpfFt5b6Q/s1600-h/030.JPG (ariel view of the farm)

Farm House - notice cat in the window! http://bp0.blogger.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/Rnwla7iH4dI/AAAAAAAAAB8/XgkxxoAcyyk/s1600-h/EV.JPG

Barn at Christmas - http://bp0.blogger.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/R1zCwyC7zLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/vmxzhMX15Lk/s1600-h/011.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_q0y3aFaaLas/SXTgHwpWHuI/AAAAAAAAFa0/cDk_SYoyoms/s1600-h/007.JPG (new lights)

Wow!! Stunning!

deltawave

Apr. 3, 2009, 05:29 PM

Being able to see it from the house. :sadsmile:

apprider

Apr. 3, 2009, 10:08 PM

Coobie

Apr. 3, 2009, 10:12 PM

It's in my back yard!!!

Lori

Apr. 3, 2009, 10:29 PM

Another one who has it in the backyard!!!! I love it!!!!

allpurpose

Apr. 3, 2009, 11:13 PM

Petalstorm

Apr. 3, 2009, 11:38 PM

My barn is actually ATTACHED to my house. Originally it was a second garage that the previous owner of our property had built to house his car collection. We converted the garage into a barn 2 years ago and I love it! It's not huge but it's absolutely perfect for me.

Other good things;
I have two frost free hydrants; one cold and one warm. The cold one is great for when I have to cold hose a horse's leg and the warm is great for just about everything else.
I have a great old, salvaged free-standing castiron sink that a horse could sit on and not dent to clean tack or wash off boots.

I have Kalglo heaters over my wash/grooming area and ceiling fans over the stalls. Nice to help with climate control. I also have those plastic strips that are used in commercial freezers over the doorways that go out to the paddocks. They help to keep the barn less drafty in the winter. Also helps with dust control.

I have a built in bench that runs down the wall of my barn aisle that opens up for storage. It's great to have a place to sit and I store shipping boots and tons of other stuff inside of it.

We live in Colorado so it's very nice to not have to go outside to feed during a blizzard. I just walk out of my house, through the two car garrage that we use for our cars and into the barn...

Cindyg

Apr. 3, 2009, 11:42 PM

Favorite thing about my barn: Not only is it in my back yard, but it's directly behind my house and the open side faces my house. I leave a dim light on 24/7. All night long, I can watch my horses. It's been absolutely amazing. I can see when they eat, when they drink, when they poop, whether they're out of the weather or in it, everything. I spend large amounts of time staring at them out the back windows. It's wonderful!

That set up was a fortuitous accident, but I'd feel bereft without it.

stampedpony

Apr. 3, 2009, 11:51 PM

since there wasn't another large indoor facilty built in our township for about 10 years I do love the fact that I have (had to have) a fire suppression system makes sleeping a bit easier at night, and the customers like it as well althought it added a ton of $ , time and headaches to the project- plus I'm all for natural light & ventalation & saftey I have to get my website done sorry I don't have any pictures.

JSwan

Apr. 4, 2009, 09:09 AM

Thanks for sharing photos of your farms.

These places are stunning.

My farm is.. um.... rustic looking.

However, we do not have any vehicles up on blocks. At least not yet. :lol:

fivehorses

Apr. 4, 2009, 12:07 PM

A question for simplesimon.
Your place is gorgeous, as are all the farms, so thanks for posting pics.

SS, you mention trailer parking in your barn, do you pull your trailer under the shed, lean to off the side of the barn or thru the doors in the aisle?

Just wondering. How tall is the shed row at the lowest, and also how tall are the barn doors?

I am in the process of planning a barn, and this is second time around, so I want certain things that I don't have here, as well as some of the same things I do have.

I guess I'd share one of my favorite features, one of my barns has 4x8 windows that are made out of a plastic 'glass', held together with 1x4 wood, with hinges on the bottom, so in summer, they fold down entirely, allowing for a wonderful airy barn. The windows are high, starting at 6' up, and also have wood so no horse thinks about jumping out! These windows run the entire length of the barn.

Parker_Rider

Apr. 4, 2009, 01:56 PM

So I'm a lowly boarder ;) No property to have my own... BUT I love the place where I board (well... most days ;)). The best feature is that all the feed tubs have doors... all you have to do is open the door, poor feed/meds in and close the door. It's super convenient. And under the feed doors is a storage area with a door, too. It's great to hold halters/meds/treats/etc and not get the barn messy-looking.
The other great thing about it are the lockers in the tack room. In addition to tack trunks, of course, but the lockers make it easy to store stuff and not have to worry about "Why are my stirrup leathers shorter than yesterday? Why is my headstall disgusting? did someone ride in my tack?"
And the third best? "AA" rated USEF horse shows on the property ;) no stall fees for 9 weeks of the year!!!
http://coloradohorsepark.com/

Despite all the craziness at this place (5 trainers/barns), it's still homey in our aisles and we have a great relationship with the other trainers that have been there a while, too. It's like a super-incredibly-large family with most of them. We did get a new trainer in on Wednesday, but I don't know her. However, it does ensure the survival of the barn, so it's a good thing not having an empty aisle.

FatPalomino

Apr. 4, 2009, 07:03 PM

no stall fees for 9 weeks of the year!!!
http://coloradohorsepark.com/

Wow! How??
I haven't been to the horse park yet... it's quite a hike from me. But I LOVED riding through the NJ Horsepark, although you could not board there.

Parker_Rider

Apr. 4, 2009, 07:17 PM

Wow! How??
I haven't been to the horse park yet... it's quite a hike from me. But I LOVED riding through the NJ Horsepark, although you could not board there.
sorry, show stall fees. i still have to pay board, but since the shows are at the barn, we don't have to travel and our horses get to stay in their stalls, not the ~$200/wk show stalls.

Addison

Apr. 5, 2009, 08:20 AM

I don't have my own gorgeous farms as some of these posters do (don't mean to sound toooooo envious) but I love the small private barn where I board. The owner is an excellent horse person with the horse and rider's safety are considered her top priority.

I love and appreciate the fact that my horse has a regular feed schedule, 8-12 hours turnout on grass, high quality hay- essentially on demand. We have a nice sized, well maintained ring with jumps and places to ride on the grass.

The other boarders are mostly adults or else kids who are supervised by thoughtful adults. I really like having these kids around as they are hard workers, intelligent and respectful. Not to mention they help to keep us all young with some of their funny perspectives on things!:)

county

Apr. 5, 2009, 08:22 AM

Its right here where I live and paid for.

SimpleSimon

Apr. 6, 2009, 11:09 AM

[quote=fivehorses;3998174]A question for simplesimon.
Your place is gorgeous, as are all the farms, so thanks for posting pics.

SS, you mention trailer parking in your barn, do you pull your trailer under the shed, lean to off the side of the barn or thru the doors in the aisle?

Just wondering. How tall is the shed row at the lowest, and also how tall are the barn doors?

quote]

Thank you! I park my trailer under the lean-to on the side of the barn - you can see it in this picture.

http://gregh.smugmug.com/gallery/5029490_T7yDt#430349354_ccDWZ

The trailer could fit in the center aisle if I needed to pull it in - but the lean-to was the planned parking space.

Our barn is very tall. In part because my husband wanted to match the roof pitch to our house - so the pitch is 8:12 for the main barn and 3:12 on the lean-tos. The walls of the barn are at 16' so the low end of the lean-to is 13'. The overhead doors are 12' x 12' and have a high-lift track so when they are open, they are just below the trusses (~16') which makes unloading hay easier as the door is out of the way when you are stacking up high.

One of the added bonuses of the 16' wall height is that I have additional storage areas on top of the feed and tack rooms. It is a great place to keep bulky items such as blankets, the hay elevator and other items that don't get used on a daily basis.

Have fun with your barn planning!!

equusvilla

Apr. 6, 2009, 11:55 AM

My big stainless sink/drain board in the feed room. I use it every day from soaking beet pulp to washing the dog. It was the bargain of the barn, only 15 bucks for three of them at an auction when rhone-poulenc closed down a research farm.

I WANT THIS!!!! We had a huge laundry room- 1/2 bathroom put in downstairs and I told my builder that I wanted a big deep sink...one that I could use to wash my dogs...and I ended up with a big plastic version of what I wanted - YUCKO.. At first I thought it would work, but whenever I put anything remotely heavy (fat Corgi) inside of it, it actually moves! It is on my list of things to replace!

equusvilla

Apr. 6, 2009, 11:59 AM

equusvilla

Apr. 6, 2009, 12:01 PM

Wow!! Stunning!

Thank you! When you dream of doing something your whole life - compliments mean a lot. I could write a book though about what I wish I knew and what I would have done differently.

MaresNest

Apr. 6, 2009, 08:51 PM

Sithly

Apr. 6, 2009, 09:15 PM

It's not my farm, but I LOVE the drive-through gates. We have them on three of the pastures, and they make it so easy to go through with equipment (without the horses getting out). Wonderful invention.

We have this type: http://www.kencove.com/fence/Gate+Drive-Thru_detail_GDTL.php

They are great!

Fancy That

Apr. 6, 2009, 09:27 PM

this is a great thread! Love hearing about what you love most and seeing these beautiful photos! I can learn from this and implement at our new place.

We are in sunny CA and don't need a barn. The horses have 3 "stall shelters" in the sacrifice paddock, which is open to the pasture(s) That protects them from weather if they need it (most likely, they'll just stand under the old-growth California Oak trees in pasture for shade)

Other than that, we have a huge 16 x 20 tack shed, and the same size hay shelter/barn :) It's a dream come true! (4 acres just south of Silicon Valley)

We officially move in on April 25. Gutting/remodeling the house and just put the hay barn up. Fencing is being finished tomorrow. Hay delivered on Thursday....wooo hoo!

MaresNest

Apr. 6, 2009, 11:59 PM

My barn is a fixer upper, but I love that I have a TON of covered storage. I have four 12x20 bays, three of of which I can drive the trailer through.

I also really like my office. It's the only part of the building where the 'fixing up' is done. It's very simple - paneled walls and ceiling, painted plywood floor. But since we replaced the walls anyway, I had the guys go ahead and put in a plexi-glass window looking out into the stalls. That's really nice. I can sit at my computer and glance out the window at the horses.

MunchkinsMom

Apr. 7, 2009, 12:17 AM

I love that it is mine. I didn't build it, it came with the farm, and I have a list of upgrades that I want that is as long as my arm, but all in due time. It is not a fancy barn, but very functional.

The one thing (not in the barn) that I really love is the concrete funnel shaped automatic waterer in the pasture. Easy to clean once a week, pull the drain plug, rinse, spray with diluted bleach, swish with the toilet bowl brush, rinse, put the plug back in and turn the water back on.

I have a center aisle style barn, with a hayloft only over the aisle, the stalls are open to the roof, so it makes for nice airflow (which is important in Florida). I had my DH install florescent lights on the stall fronts, so they shine in the stalls and the aisle at the same time, so I didn't have to install lights in the stalls (there were only 3 small light bulb type fixtures in the aisle when we got here, definitely not enough light.

I do want to figure out a way to rig the ladder to the loft so that I can lift it up to the ceiling, I had that in two other barns that I leased up north, I just need to figure out how to make it work.

SimpleSimon

Apr. 7, 2009, 11:10 AM

Simple Simon,

I've often wondered about rollup doors on the end of a barn. How is that working for you? They look great, and I'd imagine that they're quite convenient. Do they still work if the electronic lift breaks, though?

I love the rollup doors. I debated long and hard between sliders and the overhead doors. We had multiple companies come out and give us bids to build the barn shell and I asked each and every one of them which they would go with - they all said rollup.

We operated the doors manually for some time before we installed the door openers. I could open the doors - with some effort - but not huge effort. The openers are similar to what would be installed for a residential garage door so there is an 'emergency' string to pull to disengage the opener so that you can revert to opening the door manually.

After getting the doors installed, I have not regretted for one second going with the overhead doors. And I really liked it this winter when I didn't have to dig the snow away to open the doors!

MaresNest

Apr. 7, 2009, 09:00 PM

We operated the doors manually for some time before we installed the door openers. I could open the doors - with some effort - but not huge effort. The openers are similar to what would be installed for a residential garage door so there is an 'emergency' string to pull to disengage the opener so that you can revert to opening the door manually.

After getting the doors installed, I have not regretted for one second going with the overhead doors. And I really liked it this winter when I didn't have to dig the snow away to open the doors!

That is great news! Thanks for sharing!

RegentLion

Apr. 7, 2009, 09:07 PM

Equusvilla--Would you mind if I PMed you about the layout of your barn? Hubby and I have LONG been kicking around the idea of a barn-house combo.

Let me know either way. :)

silver2

Apr. 7, 2009, 10:35 PM

The one thing (not in the barn) that I really love is the concrete funnel shaped automatic waterer in the pasture. Easy to clean once a week, pull the drain plug, rinse, spray with diluted bleach, swish with the toilet bowl brush, rinse, put the plug back in and turn the water back on.
I leased a place that had those and they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Bluey

Apr. 7, 2009, 10:49 PM

We also have rollup doors and one is 19' wide by 14' tall and they are all manual, chain driven and work with a flip of a wrist, no sweat.

Manual overhead doors can be adjusted so they are light as a feather, that is what that big spring on top is for.
There should not be any need for an electric motor to lift them for you, unless you just want that luxury and that can be added later.
Unless you do have a problem, I would spend the money on something else for now.;)

EventerAJ

Apr. 7, 2009, 11:18 PM

Heated auto waterers in the fields. After spending 5 straight years breaking icy tanks, working at a barn with the autos has been HEAVEN. There is a very thin crust on the coldest nights (single digits or less) but nothing a horse can't drink. Easy to clean, pull the plug and swish with a toilet brush. Refills quickly. Horses do sometimes play with the valve...the bored young geldings go through a couple valves a year, but you can buy replacements at walmart (HushFlo) for about $10 or less. WORTH it!

I also love how open the barn is. We have dutch doors and metal screen doors on the outside wall of every stall. You can open the top (window), leave the bottom closed (to keep drafts from foals), or open both to keep cool in the summer. The screen doors also open; not used on a regular basis, but VERY handy to get a horse in or out when the aisle is blocked (tractor, farriers, etc). Also perfect in an emergency (fire! or if a horse is cast).

FairWeather

Apr. 12, 2009, 09:05 AM

simplesimon--love your stall doors, where did you get them?

Jleegriffith

Apr. 12, 2009, 09:25 AM

I ended up buying a used barn which sounds weird but it was a modular MD barn that could be moved to my property. I didn't have a lot of choice in the design but there are many reasons why I love it.

- 12x12 stalls that can have the panel removed if you wanted a 12x24 stall.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2471485520058815717dNzSIF

- I love the open design and I ordered different dividing wall panels just to make it more open.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2169303080058815717gpBmCG

- the little door that opens up on each stall for the feed area is so nice. No swing out feeder but just a simple door so you can install any type of bucket you want. We went with corner feeders but it wouldn't matter. I can feed 8 horses in 2 min just clicking open the feeder doors.

- love how we set up our farm design so each stall has a dutch door with a window that can open on top or the whole door can be opened (slides on a track). The stalls open into sacrifice paddocks which then open into other paddocks. We rotate fields but the sacrifice paddocks are the area where they are fed and watered. It is beyond simple!

- our hay shed is right across from the barn so simple to go and get things

SimpleSimon

Apr. 12, 2009, 12:19 PM

simplesimon--love your stall doors, where did you get them?

Thank you - we ordered them from Noble http://www.noblepanels.com/horse-stalls.htm Noble makes them in standard lengths 10' & 12' if I remember correctly. We had ours built to custom lengths to fit between the posts and the price was the same as the 12' lengths. Noble was very good to work with and although there was a slight mix-up in the stall fronts they fixed the problem very quickly (a 2-day turn-around with delivery!) so we were very pleased with their customer service as well.

equusvilla

Apr. 13, 2009, 12:49 PM

I am sorry it took me so long to answer - I have been out of town covering a horse show for Saddle and Bridle and just got back.

I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Some of the answers (both good and bad) may surprise you!
Julie

Equusvilla--Would you mind if I PMed you about the layout of your barn? Hubby and I have LONG been kicking around the idea of a barn-house combo.

Let me know either way. :)

FatPalomino

Apr. 13, 2009, 02:08 PM

Does anyone have tips on good, inexpensive dutch doors.... or really good plans to build them? They will be exposed to the weather! Thanks!

shawneeAcres

Apr. 13, 2009, 03:46 PM

eventersmom

Apr. 14, 2009, 09:11 AM

Our barn is a fixer-upper! The roof was gone and the stalls had 3-4 feet of poop in them when we arrived. We put a roof on, added electric, skylights, totally revamped the stall fronts on 3 of the 10 stalls and are in the process of putting in exterior doors and a tack room.

Pics of the stall fronts that we made are here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30257467&l=96351ca799&id=1189470653
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1986689&l=e7f5adaae5&id=506087722

But we love the fact that the barn is airy and that the horses are healthier and happier than they've ever been in a boarding situation. It's a relaxed and laid back kind of place and I love nothing better than spending hour puttering around in the barn and grooming the ponies!

Fancy That

Apr. 14, 2009, 11:17 AM

My barn is a design that we first came up with at our former farm. We modified it slightly for our current farm. As we live in HOT HUMID eastern NC it is designed for maximum air circulation. It was a very inexpensive barn to build, under $20K for everything, the shell was put up in one day a design I had Carolina Carports put up (I told them waht I wanted) and then we did the stalls ourselves. It is a shed row type barn, with an 8' overnag for an aisleway, the stalls have drop down windows (FABULOUS things!) See pics here during and after construction:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/569459911nWMeoO

OMG - what a wonderful documentary (your photo album) This is EXACTLY the type of barn I would have, if I could afford more. In CA....we really dont' need a classic "enclosed" barn. Just a nice shelter area. Mine would open directly out to the sacrifice paddock.

REALLY NICE! Thanks for sharing!

equusvilla

Apr. 20, 2009, 05:40 PM

We did something I almost forgot about when we built our barn... we had the builder install outlets in the ceiling above the stalls..so certain things like fans, winter lights for show horses etc. can be temp. put up and taken down without the worry of the horses getting electricuted.

JohnDeere

Apr. 21, 2009, 09:06 PM

I dont have my own and i dont ride at this barn anymore, but it was laid out neat.

The ceiling was hi enough and the aisle wide that you could take a tractor and put sawdust in empty (please God let them be empty!) stalls with the bucket. Saves wheelbarrow loads in the winter when the stalls have to be stripped!

The skylights are wonderful. Nice and light--I miss those in the barn we have now.

The barn Im at now has 2 tack rooms (one for pesky lesson kids, the other for official owners :D). The washrack is covered by a rolling door so you dont have to look at it all day. The lounge is huge and nice. There is enough storage for 3 barns. The stalls are all open at the front. The indoor is steps away and can be walled off with another rolling door--no dust in the barn!

MistyBlue

Apr. 21, 2009, 09:26 PM

Okay...I really liked my little plain barn until I checked out everyone else's on this thread! :lol: Now mine looks like government housing! :winkgrin:

However, we do not have any vehicles up on blocks. At least not yet.
JSwan...that doesn't count unless the grass has grown up around the dead cars too.

SimpleSimon...love your stalls. I love the solid partition walls that still have a section of grill for the horses to visit through. I don't see anything like that often. Who makes those? Also, how did you get those overhead photos...I keep looking at them thinking, "Hmmm, she must have been balancing on the tops of the stalls across the aisle!" :lol:

OneDaySoon...wow! Not only is that an idyllic looking setting but your restoration on your home! There's some great traditional detail in that home, lucky duck! Also love your color selections. I adore barns and always check those out first...but I'm also an addict to antique and period homes...that have been restored instead of redone.

Equusvilla...I'm packing now and will be there soon. :winkgrin: If you do share your house and barn plans/layout...would you mind horribly doing it on the BB here? Or if not, could you include me in the PM? I'd be interested in seeing that very much. I've toyed with a similar idea for possible future retirement. I ADORE my little place, as humdrum as it is. But...I'm thinking as I age I'm not going to be as fond of trekking the steep hill between the house and the barn for 300'.

County...most jealous of your place. All that acreage...and PAID FOR! *sigh* Something I can only dream about, LOL! Mortgage free...what the heck would I do with all that extra money???? (besides pay my ridiculous property taxes, LOL)

Acertainsmile

Apr. 21, 2009, 09:58 PM

We have two barns on our farm... one is a large converted tobacco barn, very high roof, good venilation, giant tack/feed room and two car garage at one end for mowers and junk :) I have big plans for this barn one day...(new sliding doors and pavers).

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r237/missoceana22/?action=view&current=024.jpg

We built a smaller barn 2 yrs ago (pony barn and weanling/yearling barn.) I love the sliding full doors on the outside of the stalls. We put up full screens so in warm weather so there is always a nice breeze.

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r237/missoceana22/?action=view&current=017.jpg

Another nice perk is that we are located on the river, and also have a large stocked pond... great for watching Eagles, Johny Cranes and Swanns (and children) fishing!

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r237/missoceana22/?action=view&current=pond.jpg

View from a field of wheat.. we also grown our own hay and straw!

http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r237/missoceana22/?action=view&current=strawfield.jpg

Bravestrom

Apr. 22, 2009, 07:58 AM

Great thread -some great ideas - the best is that it is in my backyard.

Here is a pic of ours http://www.hotelfun4kids.com/images/horses/barn-arena%20copy.jpg

8 stalls, feed room/tack room and 65 by 160 arena and large storage room.

Love the simplist look but never enough stalls. Like everything clean and neat. Love the 8' lexan panels - lots of light year round and in the winter when the sun shines it is beautiful.

We have an upstairs viewing room that is heated - really gives a nice view to the arena.

We are continually talking about adding on and trying to figure out the best way - I know I will have to build on next year - we have housed horses overnight in the arena but something has to be done as now we have 9 and 2 more due for next year.

shakeytails

Apr. 22, 2009, 09:20 AM

Does anyone have tips on good, inexpensive dutch doors.... or really good plans to build them? They will be exposed to the weather! Thanks!

Treated 3/4" plywood cut to size with treated 1x6's glued and screwed to the outside face - so they look like this- http://armourgates.com/double-dutch-doors.html. A piece of lightweight angle iron will keep them from chewing on the door edge. Any carpenter worthy of his hammer and tool belt should be able to make one in an hour or so...

LAZ

Apr. 22, 2009, 10:44 AM

I have a couple of favorite things, depending on the moment!

I love it that I never have to go outside in bad weather (other than to bring horses in and out). The bathroom, stalls, wash stall, hay/shavings/feed, indoor are all interconnected.

I love it that the motion detector lights come on and I never have to use switches in the non-heavily traffic'd areas.

I love my outdoor arena. It is darn near perfect.

I love it that I can see the Milky Way on clear nights.

I love the butterflies that swarm the fields.

equusvilla

Apr. 22, 2009, 11:45 AM

I love it that I can see the Milky Way on clear nights.

AMEN!!!!!

equusvilla

Apr. 22, 2009, 11:57 AM

Equusvilla...I'm packing now and will be there soon. :winkgrin: If you do share your house and barn plans/layout...would you mind horribly doing it on the BB here? Or if not, could you include me in the PM? I'd be interested in seeing that very much. I've toyed with a similar idea for possible future retirement. I ADORE my little place, as humdrum as it is. But...I'm thinking as I age I'm not going to be as fond of trekking the steep hill between the house and the barn for 300'.

I sent you a copy of the PM I sent to the other lady who asked me questions. I don't have an actual blue print with me - so it is more of a verbal explaination and answers to a lot of her specific questions. If you have any other qq - I am happy to try and answer them. Like I said - there are positive and negative things about our home ...and it does not bother me to be very open about all aspects of it.

SimpleSimon

Apr. 22, 2009, 11:58 AM

SimpleSimon...love your stalls. I love the solid partition walls that still have a section of grill for the horses to visit through. I don't see anything like that often. Who makes those? Also, how did you get those overhead photos...I keep looking at them thinking, "Hmmm, she must have been balancing on the tops of the stalls across the aisle!" :lol:

Ha - if you knew me in real life you would be laughing at the idea of me balancing on the tops of the stalls across the aisle! :lol: I'm irrationally terrified of heights. To get those photos, I'm standing on the loft created on top of the tack and feed rooms - the loft is for storage only - not for hay - and I'm being very careful to stay away from the edge! :yes:

The stall dividers and fronts all came from Noble: http://www.noblepanels.com/

We need to take more pictures - it seems like we've done so much more since the last round of photos...and thankfully, all the snow has melted too.

MistyBlue

Apr. 22, 2009, 07:27 PM

LOL, I can sympathize...I'm no fan of heights either. :lol:

pony grandma

Apr. 22, 2009, 10:00 PM

I wanted a big deep sink...one that I could use to wash my dogs...and I ended up with a big plastic version of what I wanted - YUCKO.. At first I thought it would work, but whenever I put anything remotely heavy (fat Corgi) inside of it, it actually moves! It is on my list of things to replace!

Maybe consider a shower basin bottom and a hose with a shower head on the wall. Tile on the wall.

mysandi

Apr. 23, 2009, 07:12 AM

I love that it's only 10 minutes from my house, the owners give great care to my horse, and all the people are friendly and kind.

ChocoMare

Apr. 23, 2009, 08:20 AM

While it's not ours, I love...:

--the very kind Farm Manager who lets us do just about whatever we'd like as far as improvements.

--having the riding ring right out the back of the barn...just the right size for my beginners to learn in.

--having the Silver Comet Trail all of a short walk down the hay field

--having hay stacked in the barn twice a year by machine--hay that was organically grown/cut/baled on the farm! (Oh and not being charged an outrageous price ;) )

We've done self-care board there for four & a half years now and have the assurance from the manager & owner that we can stay as long as we'd like.

Transformation pics here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/234704732RwBxtP

winter

Apr. 23, 2009, 01:29 PM

Exactly!!!!

We just built a professional grade climbing wall in our barn. Hubby's plans is to extend it across the ceiling. It's by the dog runs/feed room and not the horse stalls, although our horses wouldn't mind :) It's being painted now, and will post pictures soon. It makes Hubby LOVE to feed the horses!!!!

I also like having dog runs attached to the barn. Makes life easier when it's cold and windy!

This is so excellent, I've always wanted to build a climbing wall in a barn! I can't beleive someone else has this. Can you post pictures? I just built one in my house, it's over 250sq/ft of bouldering. It goes up one wall, across the ceiling and down the other side. I always dream of my farm paradise with my own indoor arena and climbing!