Trade Zone - Barns and Architects

A master plan is essential in the design and construction of an equine operation

Photo by: Anne Eberhardt

Barns and Architects

October 7, 2006

By Less Sellnow

There is such variance today in the type of barns constructed for equine operations that, on the surface, it seems impossible to make comparisons. Yet, architects and agricultural experts agree there is one constant--the need for a master plan. Their point is that the entire arrangement of buildings, fences, pens, and even trees should make for the best use of the land and require a minimum of walking on the part of humans when caring for horses.

We'll take a look at the many aspects of a general plan through the eyes of architects and agricultural specialists. Some good information has been reported in M.E. Ensminger's Horses and Horsemanship and the Horse Industry Handbook. Information from those experts, and others, will be summarized here. There are a great many experts available today, and the type of expertise called on by the builder often depends on the complexity of the overall plan.

HOW BIG A PROJECT?

If a complete breeding operation is being established, the services of an architectural firm might be a necessity. If that is the case, the question of whose services to engage is a serious issue. Perhaps the best approach is to make an inquiry of firms specializing in horse farm design. Once a list of candidates is established, the next important task is to check the references provided by the architectural firms.

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