How to Choose the Best Site to Build Your Horse Barn
If you are planning to build a pole barn to shelter your horses, choosing the right location is critical. You need an area that is relatively flat, has good drainage, and is easily accessible.
Choose a level site for your pole barn. If your property is not naturally level, you will need to bring in fill to make it flat enough to build.
The easiest way to find a site with good drainage is to walk the property during a rainstorm and see which way the water flows and where it collects. If your property does not have a site with naturally good drainage, you will need to bring in fill to elevate your chosen location.
If possible, choose a site on high ground for good drainage. If you live in a region with harsh winters, you might not want to put your pole barn on the highest spot because it would be subjected to fierce winter winds. Instead, you can put it on a high point below the crest of the hill so it has some shelter.
Pick a site where the pole barn will be easily accessible from your house. It should be within a short walking distance, but far enough away that you will not smell manure. Consider the location of your pasture and how far you would need to walk your horses to get them from the barn to the pasture.
Think about the climate in your area. If you live in the northern part of the United States, you should choose a site where your pole barn will get a lot of sunlight. In the south, look for an area with shade.
Your horse barn should be easily accessible by a road or driveway. This will make it convenient when you need to transport feed, hay, or equipment to your pole barn.
If you have other buildings on your property, such as a hay barn or a storage shed, position your pole barn so that it is relatively close to them. This will make it easier to get access to any equipment, tools, or feed you need.
You should also think about security when choosing a location for your horse barn. Unfortunately, some people steal tack and equipment from barns. Choose a location for your pole barn where you can keep an eye on it from your house.
You will most likely want to have electricity and running water in your pole barn. If utilities are already set up, choose a site for your horse barn that is nearby. If you don’t have utilities already, you may need to set up a pole or dig a ditch.
You might decide to buy more horses in the future. If you do, you will need more room. Choose a location where you will have enough space to expand the size of your pole barn in the future if you choose to do so.
Look into local zoning laws and homeowners’ association rules before you start building. There may be restrictions on where you are allowed to construct your horse barn.
If you live in a location with a beautiful view, take advantage of it. Look at your property and envision how your pole barn would look in a variety of locations against the natural backdrop.
Think about where you will put manure. You want a location behind your pole barn that is easily accessible so the manure can be picked up and trucked away.
When you are ready contact CHA Pole Barns to talk about your pole barn project.