Climate is, of course, as much of a factor of comfort for your horse as it is for you. The desire to take shelter from intense heat, biting wind, or a downpour is as natural for equines as for humans.

Not everyone can afford a full barn for their horses and there is a range of options that can fill the need. One is a pasture run-in. The run-in is an open structure that may or many not have storage or a feed bin. This allows your horse to get out of the weather at will without you having to bring them inside to a stable. 

A popular design, especially when space is limited, is a building with stalls attached to a small covered area called a run. The set-up can be further configured by adding stall gates to limit or expand a horse’s options. 

We recommend building a run off the stall with an extended roof over it. Your horse has the ability to go outside under the roof or further outside under the sky. It's a progression of confinement: the stall, the run, a paddock, and the pasture. Ultimate equine flexibility.

Keep climate in mind. A run-in shed that converts to stalls with only a gate will not be nearly as cozy as a structure with walls and would not be a good option if warmth is a concern.

Some companies manufacture moveable sheds that might be ideal in some climates but would not work in areas of constant windy conditions. These types of structures can be dismantled or moved with a tractor to give pastures a rest.

The first consideration is your goal. What is the most important and economical thing you can do with your budget?

You can phase a project as well. You can grow your equine facility by planning for that from the beginning. Perhaps you can only afford the posts and the roof for a run-in but your desire is to eventually have a concrete aisle and tack room.

You can later add walls, concrete, electricity, and lighting. Design for that from day one and keep your dream in sight. 

According to IBISWorld, a leading market research company, a "return to disposable income will boost spending on race- and recreational horses" as well as on equine products in general in 2012.

IBISWorld predicts after a negative 2.7% growth from 2006-2011, we're poised for growth from the end of 2011 through 2016. And by some significant margins.

Profits on $1.6 billion in revenue should be around $82.2 million for more than 106,000 businesses in this sector. The recovery over this period is expected to get an initial bump in 2012, with revenue projected to grow 2.7%.

Good News

This is good news not only for those of us in the equine industry but for everyone who loves horses. Increased revenues means new players can enter the market and offer innovative products and services for those of us who ride.

Horses for recreation have never fallen out of favor in the U.S., even in tough times. Over two million people in the U.S. own the nearly ten million horses that reside here.

Over 4.5 million people are employed in the horse industry in some way.

And lest you think that horses are only for the well-to-do, nearly half of all horse owners have an income between $25,000 and $75,000. People love horses.

Through 2016, per capita disposable income is forecast to grow at an average annualized rate of 1.6%, twice the rate observed during the previous five years.

A depreciated U.S. dollar will boost export demand for horses, and equine products and services. Through 2016, the Horse and Other Equine Production industry is forecast to be on its way to pre-recessionary levels.

So this may be the year to get started on that dream project for your equine pals. Perhaps a new run-in, a new barn, or a new horse arena has been in the back of your mind for a while. Give us a call and let's talk about making your dream a reality.

I've never seen any really egregious examples of bad practices for barn interiors. I'm talking about sharp corners, toxic materials, non-tempered glass and that sort of thing that could injure a horse when they're in the barn.

Most of the shortcuts or less-than-ideal things I've seen in barn construction result from budgetary concerns and that is something that I understand. However, when you think about it, it's not very difficult and often not expensive to keep your horse safe in the barn by following a few guidelines.

 We don't use metal siding in barns but we do use durable materials that are safe. We never want any sharp edges because if there's a place where your horse CAN come in contact with the barn interior, your horse WILL come in contact with it sooner or later. You also want to be mindful of where your horse might get his teeth around something, because again, he will try.

The main concern is the stall and if you have a run outside the stall. The people areas are not as much of a concern but still should be reviewed; your horse is not usually playing in that area unattended.

Stall Safety

The stall's exposed edges should have chew strips or guards. Horses like to chew and will do so especially if they're bored and have been in the stall for a while.

The average stall is 12x12. Bigger than this and you're giving your horse more room to bang around when he's feeling mischievous or bored.

The stall walls should not absorb moisture. This not only could lead to mold, which is not good for your horse, but can wick urine and make the whole barn smell less-than-springtime-fresh, creating an unhealthy interior environment.

Which brings up the issue of cleaning. Ease of cleaning is important for you and your horse. The easier it is to clean a stall, the likelier you are to be able keep it clean. It won't make it easier to get your teenager to clean the stall but it should promote the health of your equine friends.

Stall openings

When we install openings in the exterior stall wall, we have a few considerations. Usually we provide shuttered openings with a U-shaped yoke. The yoke allows the horse to put its head out without rubbing back and forth along a square opening until it opens a sore on its neck.

If the owner wants windows, we use only tempered safety glass and we put a removable hinged grill on the inside. The grill keeps the horse from inadvertently putting its head through the glass and the grill allows for ease of cleaning. Tempered glass will not shatter when your horse kicks the wall.

You also don't want any openings in the stall that could catch a leg.

Stall materials

We use only materials that have been tested to be non-toxic. Some horses like to lick and you don't want them licking something that will make them sick or worse.

These are just a few of the considerations when designing and building interiors for your barn. After all, this is where your horses may spend an awful lot of time.

There was a nice piece in the Gardnerville, NV, Record Courier noting the formation of our company, Trilogy Barn and Stable Company. The new company is a partnership between Innovative Equine Systems of Minden, NV, and Equine Facility Design of Oregon City.

The concept is to provide a one-stop solution for those who seek an attractive, horse-friendly and efficient design with quality products for their horse stables and barns at reasonable prices.