Well-placed and good-sized sheds improve safety and comfort

Healthy animals adapt well to seasonal climate changes, but in reality they benefit from protection against extreme climates. A shed for horses, ponies and other livestock offers refuge all year round against the sun, wind, snow and excessive rain. Many horse owners are familiar with sheds or loafers. These three-sided structures offer protection to grazing animals and a protected place to rest. Landslides can also be used as feeding and water stations or designed to include a barn or loft for hay storage. Selecting a suitable location and the size of the shed are important factors in providing safe and practical corridor sheds.

It is important to create a durable and safe structure for use with animals. Safety and performance can be improved if care is taken to locate the loafers shed. The location should be decided to promote the comfort of the animals and the comfort of the people responsible for the care and maintenance.

When selecting a location for a shed, it is important to look to the open side, away from the prevailing winds to provide optimal protection. Another important consideration is to locate the building in an area with adequate drainage to prevent animals from remaining in the mud. It is advisable to avoid low and large areas to take advantage of a slightly inclined surface to locate the shed and that the liquid drains from the structure.

To minimize discomfort, locate a nearby shed close enough for easy access, but also far enough away from residential or work areas to avoid unpleasant odors. For safety, avoid placing the shelter under large trees that may lose limbs and damage the shed. These considerations will increase the benefits of a shed for grazing animals and will facilitate the care of the animals and the maintenance of the shelter.

Once a location has been determined, the size of a shed should be evaluated based on the number of animals that will have access to the building. As a general rule, include an amount of space equivalent to a horse station for each animal that shares the shed. Also, be sure to build a building with enough space to accommodate a breeding horse. Keep in mind that aggressive horses are not always willing to share space and issues related to dominant horses should be considered. Other cattle and nicer horses are more appropriate to share a free loaf shed.

Ultimately, running in sheds must be well constructed and adequately maintained to provide a safe haven. Positioning the shed strategically can improve ease of maintenance and promote comfort and safety. A well-located shelter that is customized in size and design can be used to accommodate a wide variety of horses and other animals if care is taken to assess the number and nature of the animals. The resulting structure will offer shade to the animals against the relentless sunlight, shelter from precipitation, and welcome respite when temperatures plummet and winds bursts.