Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
This 12x12 paddock shelter would be ideal for a single horse.
Figure a 12-foot by 12-foot space for each horse. A 12-foot by 36-foot shed should give
three horses room enough to cohabitate comfortably.
Pasture shelters typically have shed roofs, those that are higher at the front than the back.
The height at the rear of the shed should be a minimum of 8 feet and the front at least 10
feet. Consider a 4- to 6-foot overhang in front to keep out wind and precipitation and to
provide more shade for loafing.
The shelter should be constructed of materials that are safe for horses. Wood is usually
safe but must be treated regularly to prevent chewing, and nails tend to creep out of wood
and so need regular checking. Steel is lower maintenance, but sharp edges must be covered.
As with stalls in a barn, a shelter should be lined on the inside with a material durable
enough to prevent a horse from kicking through the walls.
Ideally, the footing inside the shed should be a clean, comfortable material that drains
well. A deep bed of pea gravel (⅜ inch minus round gravel) works well. Horses readily lie
