Planning the living space for your horses is no easy task: You want to make sure the enclosure you build is spacious enough and comfortable enough for your equine friends. Thankfully, horse pole barns provide an affordable yet comfortable solution that will keep your horses happy all year round. From small run-in horse sheds to commercial horse training arenas, pole barns make the perfect place for horses of all shapes and sizes to call home.
Can You Keep Horses in a Pole Barn?
Yes! In fact, pole barns were originally created to provide shelter to many barn animals, including horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. While past structures relied on untreated wood that became susceptible to rot over time, present-day horse pole barns are much more durable. Today’s pole barns are created using special, pressure-treated wood that offers strength and reliability on par with steel-framed structures.
Beyond durability, horse pole barns are also incredibly flexible in terms of size and layout. Whether you’re planning to house just one horse or are looking to build an equestrian training facility, there’s a pole barn layout that’s right for your unique needs.
How Much Does a Horse Pole Barn Cost?
Your horses are like family, so naturally, only the best will suffice for their housing. Thankfully, your horse stable doesn’t have to cost a fortune in order for it to be the highest quality. As we mentioned earlier, pole barns are incredibly sturdy structures that give even steel-framed buildings stiff competition when it comes to withstanding the elements. However, unlike their steel counterparts, horse pole barns are incredibly affordable due to lower cost of materials used to construct the stable.
In addition to the low cost of materials, pole barns do not require a concrete foundation thanks to their post frame construction. Not only does this make the build more affordable, but it also decreases the time it takes to complete construction. Depending on the size of your build, you could have a solid horse stable ready to use in as little as 4 weeks.
Every horse pole barn build is unique in its features and fixtures, and therefore it’s difficult to provide a precise price that customers can expect to pay. Size, cladding materials and other accessories can quickly add up depending on what you choose. To give you an idea of price, the average horse pole barn costs between $35 and $55 per square foot.
Horse Pole Barn Design
There are many different types of horse pole barns that you can choose to build, each one offering its own unique features.
Lean-to Horse Barns
Lean-to horse barns are pole barns that are typically enclosed on all four sides, and feature a lean-to overhang for additional coverage. On the side of the barn where the lean-to structure is built, the barn doors are placed where your horses will enter and exit the building. Especially if you live in an area that regularly experiences harsh weather, this additional overhang can provide a welcome respite for your horses. These overhangs can even be enclosed at a later date if you decide you’d like to build onto the structure in the future.
Pole barns with a lean-to don’t have to be fully enclosed — they also can be partially enclosed or fully open, as well.
Shed Row Barn
Shed row pole barns are horse sheds that feature a single row of stalls. Similar to a lean-to horse barn, shed row barns are enclosed on all four sides. Shed row pole barns can be built with or without a lean-to. With this style of horse barn, individual stalls are placed in rows, usually with horse stall doors at the end of each row. These structures are ideal for horses that just need temporary shelter at night or a place to rest briefly during the day.
Horse Run-in Shed
Like the name suggests, a horse run-in shed was designed to let horses run freely in and out of the building. Enclosed on only three sides, horse run-in pole barns have an open front that offers horses a place to escape the elements for short periods of time. These structures are typically built in the horse pasture, allowing the horses to get as much physical activity as they can while still having a place to rest and enjoy the shade when they need it. Some owners choose to build feeding stations and built-in storage areas within their run-in pole barn sheds as well, offering the full barn experience for their horses without the added cost and physical restrictions of a fourth wall.
Fully Enclosed Horse Barns
If you’re seeking a more permanent place to house your horses, a fully enclosed pole barn might be what you need. These spaces are bigger than horse sheds and can include additional features such as horse stalls, feeding stations and tack rooms. A fully enclosed horse barn will provide additional shelter from the elements so you can rest assured that your equestrian family members are safe and sound.
Commercial Training Arenas
For those with many horses or who operate their own training businesses, a commercial training arena is not outside the realm of possibility for your pole barn build. These expansive facilities can reach up to 90’ wide and 200’ long, providing plenty of space for your horses to run around and train inside the building itself. Whether you’re boarding, training or hosting a competition, your pole barn can easily accommodate your commercial horse arena needs.
Does Beehive Buildings Build Horse Stables?
Yes, we do! Beehive Buildings has helped many horse owners and trainers bring their unique visions to life. From commercial training arenas to small shed row barns, our horse barn builders are highly skilled at constructing a horse pole barn that’s right for your individual needs. If you’re seeking a horse barn builder in Utah, southeast Idaho or Wyoming, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for a prompt, personalized pole barn quote today.
