Draft horse barn?
November 26th, 2009 | by drafthorse |
Katie Kei asked:
I have a 9 y/o Percheron gelding and for the past few months he’s been at my neighbor’s house, because he has shelter there, but I think he’s afraid of the shelter. Every time I go over there and it’s raining/snowing, I try to take him under there with me, and he gets really jumpy and nervous. His previous owner abandoned him at a boarding facility and didn’t pay to have him fed/cared for, so the facility didn’t. Could that have to do with his fear of the shelter? It’s probably 12′wide x 12′deep x 7′tall. He’s around 17-18hh and still a little skinny looking. I want to be able to build him a barn/very large shelter by summer and I’m not sure where to start. I need help, because I don’t know how big is big enough and whether I should cement the floor then put mats and shavings, because my ferrier needs a place to trim that’s covered and level during the summer. Ahh I have so many questions and not enough room! Any experienced draft owners suggestions would be great! Thank you!!
He’s pretty good with the ferrier, gets a little impatitent, but she’s super patitent with him! I don’t think he’s too worried about shelter, it might just be me being worried, but I still want him to have the choice! My ferrier doesn’t need the level surface, but I would like her visit to be more accommodating. It’s kind of a courtesy thing for someone who does a job that’s not always easy…
draft horse pictures
I have a 9 y/o Percheron gelding and for the past few months he’s been at my neighbor’s house, because he has shelter there, but I think he’s afraid of the shelter. Every time I go over there and it’s raining/snowing, I try to take him under there with me, and he gets really jumpy and nervous. His previous owner abandoned him at a boarding facility and didn’t pay to have him fed/cared for, so the facility didn’t. Could that have to do with his fear of the shelter? It’s probably 12′wide x 12′deep x 7′tall. He’s around 17-18hh and still a little skinny looking. I want to be able to build him a barn/very large shelter by summer and I’m not sure where to start. I need help, because I don’t know how big is big enough and whether I should cement the floor then put mats and shavings, because my ferrier needs a place to trim that’s covered and level during the summer. Ahh I have so many questions and not enough room! Any experienced draft owners suggestions would be great! Thank you!!
He’s pretty good with the ferrier, gets a little impatitent, but she’s super patitent with him! I don’t think he’s too worried about shelter, it might just be me being worried, but I still want him to have the choice! My ferrier doesn’t need the level surface, but I would like her visit to be more accommodating. It’s kind of a courtesy thing for someone who does a job that’s not always easy…
draft horse pictures
5 Responses to “Draft horse barn?”
By troll eating mule on Nov 27, 2009 | Reply
Its hard to say. My donkey thinks the feed bucket will perpetually eat him every morning, so sometimes they are just like that.
It could be the shelter, hard to say. But if your trying to get him in it while its raining, snowing, hailing, windy, cold etc.. That can make them act more spookier and refuse to go in.
10×20 for drafts is a good size. I dont like cement personally, I would just shavings put on the ground. As far as level, not sure why your farrier wants that, but just a thick sheet of plywood for your guy to stand on should be sufficent.
By Rachael a on Nov 29, 2009 | Reply
If he was stuck in a stall all day it more than likely does have to do with his fear he is problably afraid if he goes in he will not beable to come out.
By jj on Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
he could be afraid of the shelter because something bad happened to him like maybe he was hit or something. most fears that animals get have something to do with a bad experience involving that thing. you could probably work with him on it.
just because someone has stopped paying board doesn’t mean that a barn should stop feeding and taking care of the horse!!!! that’s mean. the horse should not suffer from something that is entirely the owner
By john r on Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
some drafts are just a little stubborn when it comes to going into stalls,,some will associate it with going into a trailer,,some are just claustriphobic,,when you build your new shelter a 12 x 12 space is fine for drafts but you will need at least a 10′ ceiling or open rafter roof and at least a 6′ wide 8′ tall door so he thinks he has an escape,,get a 100 gallon stock tank and place it in his stall and build a good manger this will keep the mess to a minimum,,good stall drainage is key for drafts so digging 3′ below grade and refilling with 1′ of rock then finish to grade with sand like a french drain..remember “no hoof .no horse” you can put shavings on top of the sand to help soak up the fluids and also easier to clean..as for trimming i would invest in a set of draft stocks or build a set,,they not only save your farriers back but is also great at vetting your draft in case of problems,,also you can rent out your stocks to other draft owners..make sure they are on a cement pad and solid to the ground and i mean solid..i had a 2500 pound belgian who broke my stocks and mine are 10″ x10″ solid oak with steel backing plates and 3/4″ bolts..he didnt break the wood he broke five bolts before i got him out of it..my stocks are outside of the barn under a roof but you could make it under an extended part of the roof..i found out it was easier to trim horses outside than inside..also make a horse proof feed room so your draft cant decide to help himself to the feed and get founder,,the very same belgian i had broke down the door to the feed room and got into the grain and ate 100 pounds of it before i found out(he broke the stall door lock also) he didnt touch the grass hay just wanted the grain..also use sliding stanley doors on the outside of your barn with a pass door in it..hope this helps..
By totallyhaflingers on Dec 3, 2009 | Reply
I have draft horses a few haflingers, fjords and two tall norikers (noric horses). I have two shelters, one 12′x12′x9′ and one 10′x12′x9′. Although my horses aren’t as tall as yours is (max 16.3hh), but i still build my shelter with high rafter roofs and i only have one side with a wind blocker, as they wouldn’t even consider going in it otherwise as they don’t like to go under closed spaces (they live out all year), my haflingers and fjord aren’t that fussed, but my norikers really don’t like going in a closed off shelter, because they are really big they freak out in enclosed spaces as they have less room, so your only solution really is to build a larger shelter. Also you may make it worse if you take your horse to the shelter it doesn’t like, although your intentions are right your horse will loose trust with you as you will be taking it to the place that it is scared of, just let him deal with it in his own time, if he really needs it he will go in it. My horses hardly ever use the shelter they would rather eat grass in the snow and rain than go in, so don’t worry your horse may just prefer it outside and not be bothered by the weather. Also if your building a new shelter i would concrete the base if the farrier will use it as it gives firmer footing as if you put shavings down it won’t stop your horse from churning it up and will make it difficult for the farrier. If you need anymore help with other questions then feel free to email me:)
My smaller shelter looks like this: I don’t know whether you can see it properly as my horse is stood in the way, but you can see the tall rafters and open space
good luck!