Well, I started building my shelter...

[phoebeq]

I think it's impressive! You have quite the can-do attitude!

Sometimes horses like to chew on wood, so keep an eye out for that; you can add metal corner strips to your posts to stop chewing on those. On plywood I've sometimes had to resort to rubbing a bar of soap on the areas they like to gnaw, tastes icky and they quit.

My horses get plenty of hay but sometimes boredom sets in...

Thanks! I like that soap idea! I will have to try that if I notice chewing

 

[Katiean]

As far as your roof supports go you can get truss hangers at the Home Depot or Lowe's. I would just use the hangers for 2x4's. Placed about 2 feet apart should be enough support. My stalls Started with the side of a shed as one side of the stall. I now have 4 stalls and have not yet put roofing over the sheeting. Every winter I just buy a roll of plastic and use 1"x2" tack strips to hold it into place. Not pretty but it works.

 

[lucky seven]

Love your hubby's roof idea.

 

[Blackwater Farm]

There was a great idea in Donna Campbell Smith's Book of Miniature Horses. I really like it as it was very cost effective, could be put up easily and taken down easily and modified from summer to winter. Not sure if it's ok to quote her on here but this is what the book states "A Quonset-style hut is a low cost and easy to construct shelter that is ideal for minis. The hut is made of two sixteen-by-four foot cattle panels, six T-posts and a twelve-by-sixteen foot tarp. Drive the T-posts into the ground, three on each side, four feet apart, with 10.5 feet between the two rows. Fasten the two panels together with wire and then place the ends inside the T-posts and anchor them with wire at the bottom and sides. The panels form an arch between the rows of T-posts. Stretch the tarp over the arch and secure it with cord to the panel frame. A second tarp across the back breaks wind in the winter, but can be removed in summer to allow for ventillation." There is a picture of it in the book and a little diagram that explains but it makes a nice shelter for them and can be cheaper than wood!

 

[phoebeq]

Thanks guys

Well, we had some pretty good winds last night and it held up, even though I still haven't finished it. I need to get to town to get the rest of the supplies, but we live about 40 minutes from "town", lol. Most likely, I will go on Thursday or Friday...hopefully, lol.

I appreciate all of the tips and ideas! I will keep you guys posted on progress, as I make it

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Looks pretty good to me! As long as they help keep the minis dry that's all that matters!

 

[phoebeq]

Thanks

 

[ForeverFarma]

There was a great idea in Donna Campbell Smith's Book of Miniature Horses. I really like it as it was very cost effective, could be put up easily and taken down easily and modified from summer to winter. Not sure if it's ok to quote her on here but this is what the book states "A Quonset-style hut is a low cost and easy to construct shelter that is ideal for minis. The hut is made of two sixteen-by-four foot cattle panels, six T-posts and a twelve-by-sixteen foot tarp. Drive the T-posts into the ground, three on each side, four feet apart, with 10.5 feet between the two rows. Fasten the two panels together with wire and then place the ends inside the T-posts and anchor them with wire at the bottom and sides. The panels form an arch between the rows of T-posts. Stretch the tarp over the arch and secure it with cord to the panel frame. A second tarp across the back breaks wind in the winter, but can be removed in summer to allow for ventillation." There is a picture of it in the book and a little diagram that explains but it makes a nice shelter for them and can be cheaper than wood!

I made the very same run in for my kiddos out on the far pasture. We made it bigger with 4 cattle panels but our horses loved it! The only problem we had was the snow on top of it collapsed it, but since that much snow here in GA is usually rare, it was an easy fix and held up this winter's snow with no problems.