Are you looking for a practical and durable place to house your horses, as well as their tack, feed, and other supplies? A horse pole barn could be just what you need to keep your horses safe and comfortable and save you some valuable time and money. With all the housing options available nowadays for you and your equine friends, it can be difficult to know what the best choice may be for you. Let’s take a look at all you need to know about horse pole barns and give you some answers to your questions.
Are you looking for pole barns in State College, PA, or pole barns in Columbia, PA? Check out our Areas We Serve Pages and see all the places we can build you a pole barn.
Table of Contents
Are Pole Barns Good For Horses?
If you care about your horses (and we assume you do), their well-being may be at the forefront of your mind when you consider agricultural housing options. Horses are beautiful creatures that benefit us in many ways, and they deserve to be cared for properly. An important question to ask when it comes to the topic of pole barns is, “Are pole barns healthy for my horses?” The answer is yes, and we’ll show you how.
Proper Ventilation For Horse Pole Barns
Ventilation is important to horses as it helps them remain healthy and avoid respiratory diseases. Pole barns can be designed with good ventilation systems to help prevent dust, ammonia, and other harmful gases for your horses.
Extra Space With Horse Pole Barns
Just like humans, horses don’t like to be crowded. They need room to stretch their long legs and romp around. Pole barns are generally built with lots of space, promoting beneficial behavior in your horses and giving them extra room to socialize and move about freely.
Natural Lighting In Horse Pole Barns
Horses thrive in natural light environments and won’t do well cooped up in the dark. Pole barns can be designed to allow a lot of natural sunlight inside and give your horses a healthier and better-lit living environment.
What is The Least Expensive Pole Barn Option?
If you are looking to save some money, you can go with a basic pole barn design with a few additional finishes or features. The following list contains a few of the factors that may affect the price of your pole barn:
- Size– The larger, the more materials and labor will be required to build your pole barn.
- Roofing materials– Metal roofing may be a cheaper option than tile or shingles.
- Doors and windows– The number and style of doors or windows will affect the cost of your pole barn.
Smaller and more minimal may be less expensive, but be sure to keep in mind the comfort and health of your horse.
Should A Horse Pole Barn Have A Concrete Floor?
A concrete floor for your pole barn has its own list of pros and cons, and the answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. It is up to you to decide what the best flooring option is for your pole barn. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of concrete flooring for your pole barn.
Pros of a Concrete Floor
- Durability– Concrete is durable and long-lasting, as well as much easier to clean and maintain.
- Protection from moisture– Concrete floors fight the growth of mold and bacteria and give the foundation more structural soundness.
- Higher resale value– If you ever plan to sell your barn or property in the future, concrete-floor pole barns have a higher resale value.
Cons of a Concrete Floor
- Increased cost– If you are looking to keep your pole barn costs lower, concrete floors may not be the best option.
- Slippery Floor– Concrete floors can be slippery when wet and hazardous to your horses.
- Lack of natural drainage– Concrete floor will not drain as well and may leave water and other liquids lying around in puddles.
Common Horse Pole Barn Sizes
The size of the pole barn you may want to build will probably depend on the number of horses you have. Other factors may be your budget and the amount of storage space or additional area you would like in your horse pole barn. Check out our blog for more information on this topic.
Horse Pole Barn Ventilation
Have you ever gotten too warm and overheated? Horses can overheat, too, and it’s important to keep your pole barn ventilated during the summer so that they can stay comfortable. There are a few ways to ventilate your pole barn. If you would like some more in-depth information on horse barn ventilation, check out this article.
Install Windows
Windows are a great way to increase ventilation in your barn, especially in the hot summer months. Installing windows on opposite walls across from each other is a good way to ensure cross ventilation especially.
Use Ridge Vents + Eave Vents
A ridge vent runs along the peak of the roof and allows hot air to escape and fresh air to enter the pole barn through the sides. Eave vents are located along the roof’s lower edge and work with the ridge vents to allow fresh air to flow into the barn.
Use Fans
Fans can be a relief for horses in especially hot, humid weather. Use large fans to circulate air throughout your pole barn and place them at ground level to help move the hot air upwards and out.
How Much Are Horse Pole Barns?
There is no given price for how much your pole barn will be, and multiple factors will play into the cost. The extra features you add, the materials used, and the location may all affect the total cost of your horse pole barn. You can check out our blog on pole barn prices for more information on this.
Can You Insulate Horse Pole Barns?
Insulating horse pole barns is possible if you want to reduce energy costs and keep your horses comfortable in hot and cold weather. There are a few methods that can be used to insulate a pole barn. If you would like to read more about pole barn insulation, take a look at this article.
Fiberglass Batts
Fiberglass Batts are one of the most common types of insulation used in a horse pole barn. They are made from tiny glass fibers and are available in rolls or batts. They are relatively easy to install but can lose their insulating properties if they get wet.
Spray Foam Insulation
Though a more expensive type of insulation compared to some other options, spray foam can be an excellent choice to insulate your barn. This foam applies as a liquid and hardens, expanding to fill the space it’s sprayed into.
Blown-in Cellulose
This particular type of insulation is made from recycled materials and is treated with a fire retardant; This insulation can be blown into tight places and little crevices, making it one of the best choices for uniquely designed pole barns.
Horse Pole Barns vs. Pole Riding Arenas
Horse pole barns and horse riding arenas are two very different equine structures that serve two different purposes. While both are used for horses, Pole barns are generally more of a housing area for horses, while arenas are for training.
Horse Pole Barns
Horse pole barns are primarily used for housing horses and storing hay and equipment. They are usually constructed with poles or posts supporting a roof. Stalls can be added to the interior of a horse pole barn to house horses.
Horse Riding Arenas
Horse riding arenas are primarily used for training and horseback riding. The floor is usually made of dirt or sand, and arenas are typically used for equestrian events like barrel racing or jumping competitions.
Horse Pole Barn Stall Sizes
The recommended stall size for your horse may vary depending on your horse’s breed. Generally, a stall should be large enough for your horse to move around comfortably. The recommended size for a horse stall is about 10 feet by 10 feet for any horse breed up to 1100 pounds. Larger horses may require more space to be comfortable. It is also important to recognize that horses kept in their stall for long periods might benefit from larger stalls to move around freely.
How Long Does A Horse Barn Pole Take To Build?
Once again, the length of construction time for your pole barn varies depending on various factors. The size of your pole barn, the style and complexity, the materials, and the weather all affect the length of construction time. A simple pole barn with few additional features will often take only a few weeks to construct. More complicated and customized designs will most likely take up to a few months or even longer. For a more accurate estimate of construction time, consult with your contractor.
Horse Pole Barn Contractors
Are you looking for the right contractor to build your horse pole barn? Extreme Pole Buildings specializes in pole barn framing for various uses. Commercial pole barns, agricultural pole barns, and pole sheds are just a few examples of the pole barn styles we offer! In the last 19 years, Extreme Pole Buildings has built over 2000 pole barns in PA, NJ, and MD. Simply get a quote, customize your building to fit your needs, and let us do the work!
