Equestrian Facility Planning
& Design Considerations
Generalization does not lend itself well to equine facility construction because of the
tremendous number of variables in any project: purpose, budget, image, climate, available
material and labor, personal preferences, future plans, and so on. These variables make good
planning and design critical to the overall success of the project.
“Good planning and design is critical to commercial horse operations where physical
facilities represent a major investment,” states Todd Gralla of Populous, a firm that specializes
in equestrian facility planning and design. “It’s about determining the true needs of the owners
and users and then figuring out the best way to fulfill those needs. The idea is to build what is
cost-effective, what gives you the best quality for your money, and what avoids doing
something that will cost you a lot more later on.”
Here are a few important issues that should be considered before starting construction
on your commercial or private facility:
ZONING AND CODE REQUIREMENTS:
These are two words everyone hates to hear, never the less, zoning and code
requirements must be followed, especially by owners of commercial operations. These may
include building codes at the local, state and national levels; health department codes; zoning
ordinances; and even local environmental regulations. Many commercial horse operations,
such as boarding stables; racetracks; and show facilities, are located within city limits, and
urban sprawl has enveloped many older facilities. In any case, following these requirements
may make a tremendous positive economic impact on your business in the case that a lawsuit is
brought against you by neighboring property owners or in the event of an accident such as fire,
flood, personal injury, etc.
If you are building a new facility and you have not yet purchased a site, it’s a good idea
to visit with city or county officials regarding zoning and code enforcement. Certain sites may
have too many restrictions to be considered candidates for your operation. Some sites may not
allow large animal operations of any type, while others may allow large animals but the
fulfillment of specific codes may make it prohibitively expensive to build your facility. In fact,
these restrictions can have an impact on just about every aspect of your new facility including,
but not limited to:
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How many horses you may keep per acre or total.
The location of buildings relative to property lines, setbacks and utility easements.
The maximum square footage and height of individual buildings.
What percentage of the land can be covered by all structures combined.
What materials can or cannot be utilized, including fencing.
What architectural styles are acceptable.
Fire safety systems which must be installed, some jurisdictions require fire sprinkler
systems in horse barns.
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How animal waste must be handled.
How drainage must be handled.
How wide access roads and turns must be for emergency vehicles.
How many parking spaces a commercial operation must provide, which is usually
based on the maximum capacity of the facility.
If certain codes seem unreasonable, you may request a variance or suspension of the
code specific to your property. Gralla notes that when he goes before local officials for code
variances for his clients, he often finds they have so little experience with horse facilities that
they are uncertain how to issue permits for them.
It is critical for horse owners to be proactive in educating local officials and neighbors
about issues they may worry about, such as odors, insects, and dust. Professional planning
documents which address these concerns, zoning, and code requirements is often your best
weapon for making permitting quick and less stressful. In addition, good planning makes more
sense than restricting horsekeeping to a specific number of acres or imposing specific “best
management” practices that may not be best under every circumstance.
SITE CONSIDERATIONS:
A horse facility’s site position should be given careful consideration. For example, a
barn’s orientation to wind and sun should be considered. The ideal is to capture summer
breezes for their cooling effect while avoiding the howling winter wind. Roofs can be
designed to take advantage of the sun’s heat in the winter, with overhangs planned to provide
shade for a cooling effect during the summer.
Trees are to be treasured as a design tool to provide shade, to serve as windbreaks, and
to screen private areas. Gralla often utilizes landscape buffers to shield equine facilities from
light and noise pollution coming from adjacent roads, highways and commercial areas. It’s
important to note that landscape buffers are often mandatory city requirements to shield
residential or other sensitive areas from the equine development.
Good water drainage is also essential for maintaining a healthy horse environment, as
standing water and marshy areas are breeding grounds for insects and disease. In urban areas
where a large portion of the land is covered with roads, parking lots and buildings, drainage
problems can lead to serious flooding and damage to your investment.
IMAGE:
Although some people like to be dirt-plain and practical, others prefer their facility to
say something special about them. For example, a boarding and training facility might want
fancy finish materials and brass fittings to project a successful image or imply that the horses
there fetch a premium price, while the therapeutic riding instructor might be more concerned
with projecting the notion of safety, security and cleanliness. “Image can be a primary goal,”
Gralla notes, “and one that is important to recognize as you plan and budget. Your image goal
will guide many of your choices including architectural style, building materials, interior
fittings, and equipment.”
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
Given the fact that a horse can injure himself in ways his owner never dreamed of, it is
basic safe practice to eliminate sharp edges, fire hazards, and the potential for sickness or
disease with attention to detail.
Barns with inadequate natural ventilation are a major cause of respiratory problems in
horses as dust, odors, and germs cause air to stagnate and become unhealthy. In designing any
horse barn, Gralla considers good natural ventilation (not requiring mechanical assistance) to
be one of the most important features.
The principle of natural convection ventilation is not a complex one. Hot air naturally
rises (think of the drafting effect in a chimney). The problem occurs in making sure that air
has a place to escape and that fresh air is continually pulled into the structure. “The barn roof
pitch is a critical element here,” states Gralla. A minimum 6-12 pitch is recommended,
meaning that for every 12 inches of lateral distance covered there are 6 inches of rise. This
steeply pitched roof creates an inverted funnel effect, in which the hot, dirty air is rises toward
and escapes from openings in the peak of the roof. This rising warm air will pull in fresh air
near the floor of the barn if proper openings are provided.
You must allow the air to escape. The ridge vent is one of the most common and
economical means to open the ridge of the roof. The continuous ridge vent spans the entire
peak of the barn and is always open. “We try to avoid mechanical ridge vents that open and
close because they usually fail within a few years and are continuous maintenance problems,”
Gralla states. Clerestory vents and cupolas are other popular choices for good roof ventilation.
Clerestory vents are larger structural components of the roof system which utilize a louver
system to allow air to escape while keeping things like weather and birds out. They are
capable of moving an enormous amount of air. Cupolas, contrary to typical modern uses, are
not merely decorative embellishments. They are an excellent means by which to move hot air,
allow natural light into the barn, and project an upscale image all at once. Unfortunately, most
pre-engineered building companies offer grossly undersized versions which are usually not
even open to allow air flow.
Now that there are openings at the top of the barn, how do you get air moving? One of
the best methods is to have each stall equipped with a second door that opens to the outside.
Dutch doors work well when the top half is opened, but an even better option is to install full
mesh or grill doors. (In cold climates glass doors glazed with Plexiglas can be used on the
outside of the mesh doors to allow light even during poor weather.) In addition, Gralla likes to
use these mesh doors on the inside of the barn to improve interior air circulation. The openings
in the mesh should be no larger than two inches square to prevent hooves and other things from
getting caught, and the steel used should be at least 3/16” in diameter to prevent damage. “Fullview doors and stall fronts not only provide better ventilation, they allow more natural light
infiltration and also make it more convenient to see what your horses are doing (especially in a
broodmare operation),” Gralla said. Gralla avoids using most mechanical ventilation devices,
such as exhaust fans, at every opportunity. Mechanical equipment is expensive, high
maintenance, and consumes a lot of energy. If the barn is well designed, there is less need for
mechanical ventilation. The one exception, Gralla notes, is the use of large diameter, low
speed, high volume ceiling fans in indoor or covered arenas.
Plenty of natural light is also of vital importance in barn raising horses. Many of those
features that improve ventilation also improve natural lighting. “For example, the outer stall
doors, cupolas with windows, clerestory vents, and open front stalls all allow light to flow
freely throughout the structure,” Gralla stated. In addition, Gralla uses glass or partial glass
alley doors (tempered for safety) which, in his words, “really open the barn up, regardless of
weather conditions.”
Another important consideration in horse barns is flooring. From limestone screenings
and blue clay to concrete and rubber brick, there are literally hundreds of different flooring
options for barns. For stalls, Gralla prefers a product called popcorn asphalt. The loose asphalt
mixture is laid hot and hand-tamped, not packed. When it cools, voids similar to those in lava
rock allow liquids to flow through to the subsurface drain system. When stalls are planned for
heavy use, Gralla usually installs a trench drain at one end of the stall and often uses a rubber
mat system. The trench drains should have a catch basin and basket for occasional cleaning,
and all mat joints should be sealed to prevent bacteria from growing beneath the mats.
Rubber bricks are a good choice for wash and veterinary areas, and even the entire barn
if they fit into the budget. They are very durable, non-slip, flexible, can be sterilized, and come
in a wide variety of colors. These areas should also include a well-designed drain system to
avoid blockage, overflow, and maintenance headaches.
In alleys, Gralla has used many products, from limestone screenings to paving brick.
“Many times it’s a matter of budget,” states Gralla. “While paving bricks or rubber brick may
be preferred, it may simply cost too much for an area as large as the alley.” A good choice is
popcorn asphalt. It is relatively inexpensive, non-slip, and allows for some flow-through
drainage. If you plan to wash or groom horses in the alley, it’s a good idea to include floor
drains for easy cleaning.
Fire safety is also important, although it is often overlooked when barns are built.
Masonry and steel are not combustible; however, there are many other things within a barn that
are, such as paint, equipment, electrical wiring, and more. There is no such thing as a fireproof
barn. Even if your budget does not allow for masonry or steel construction, you can use wood
products that have been treated to be fire-retardant. This doesn’t make the structure fireproof,
but it will slow the spread of fire.
You should also be careful to follow building codes regarding electrical work to
prevent the risk of electrical fire (keep in mind that codes should be considered a minimum
requirement). Many cities require barns to built with a fire sprinkler system, which can add a
great deal of cost to the facility. “We have been required to include fire sprinkler and alarm
systems in many of the facilities we have designed to be built within city limits, such as
racetracks and mounted police facilities,” Gralla stated. “This requirement must be determined
in the early planning so you’ll know how it will affect your budget or to determine if there is a
way to avoid it.” In addition, Gralla recommends that his clients never store bulk hay in
buildings where animals reside. Loft hay storage is not only a serious fire hazard it also
hinders the ability to maximize natural ventilation. In many urban areas, loft hay storage is
prohibited. It’s advantageous to know this before you design or start construction on your
facility.
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION ISSUES:
Over his career, Gralla has used a variety of construction materials for equine
structures, ranging from wood to pre-cast concrete. Experience has shown that masonry
construction is an excellent choice for safety and reduction of long-term maintenance. While
the initial expense is slightly higher than most other types of construction, the long-term cost
savings far outweigh the difference, and this is critical to most commercial operations.
Masonry will give you peace-of-mind for decades.
If masonry is used, the stall walls should be filled solid with concrete up to a minimum
of four feet high to prevent the risk of kick-through. “Part of the beauty of masonry
construction is the option of having bull-nosed, or rounded, corners,” says Gralla. “This
eliminates sharp corners associated with most other types of construction so the potential for
injuries and cribbing is reduced. There are also no nails, screws or other protruding fastening
devices.”
Another great quality of masonry construction is that you can achieve whatever image
or appearance you wish. The surface can be faced with wood or brick veneer, stucco, dry-vit,
and other materials to fit your image goal or code requirements. If you choose to paint your
masonry, Gralla recommends using an epoxy paint, which is very durable and cleans easily.
A good rule of thumb for all equine facilities, regardless of construction materials, is to
recess all faucets, electrical switches, and outlets. This will prevent them from damage and
injury to the horses or handlers. It’s also a good idea to use electrical outlet faceplates with
hinged covers, which will prevent moisture and other elements from eventually destroying the
outlets.
As with any other type of structure, there are many roofing options for horse facilities.
However, budget, ease of maintenance, and appearance are the most important factors. A good
all-around choice for any budget is metal roofing, either panels or standing seam. Even the
lowest cost metal roofing should last a minimum of 30 years, while other types will have been
totally replaced within that time frame and are sure to need periodic repairs. Over the last
decade, metal roofing has seen more advancement than almost any other construction material.
There is a very wide variety of styles available from traditional ribbed panels and standing
seam to styles that give the appearance of slate or clay tiles. The color selection is also very
diverse, and today’s coatings are very resistant to aging and ultraviolet fading.
When Gralla uses metal roofing, he either fastens it to plywood decking or uses rigid
insulation to help eliminate noise and also the potential of minor damage. Rigid insulation is a
good choice for its obvious insulating qualities, and birds will not remove it or nest in it.
MAKING BARN LIFE EASIER
Keeping even a few horses happy and healthy is not always the dream we thought it
would be. And if you’ve got a barnful, it can be a time-consuming venture. But here are a few
ideas that will make your work more pleasurable. If you’re operating a commercial facility,
making the users’ life easier will mean many happy returns and money in the bank.
Almost all barns have a feed room. Even if the feed room is near the end of the barn, it
is a good idea to consider a four-foot wide external access door. This will make feed and
supply deliveries much easier and efficient as the truck can pull up and unload directly into the
feed room.
“We’re also proponents of automatic insect spray systems to keep flies down. They’re
very inexpensive and cost-efficient,” said Gralla. “As a labor-saving device, we really like to
use automatic waterers even in our pastures. Many of our clients have been using them for
over 25 years without any trouble or major maintenance. Of course you do have to clean them
periodically. Some models have their own thermostat and others use ground-source heat so in
the winter they will not freeze and the horses always have fresh water. Some clients don’t like
waterers because they can’t tell how much their horses are drinking. We understand this, but
they are great labor-savers and digital consumption monitors are available.”
“We also prefer sliding stall doors over swinging doors,” says Gralla. Swinging doors
tend to get in the way of other activities and are not as easy to open and close when you have
horse in hand.” Sliding doors will still fully open even if there is a tractor parked or horse tied
in the alley.
One functional feature Gralla repeats in most private and virtually all commercial barn
designs is a combination grooming area, wash stall, and veterinary treatment stocks. The
approximate 12 by 24-foot area is open at each short end. A very functional circulation
pattern. The stock enclosure in the center makes it possible to work safely with difficult horses
such as kickers and vets really like them. Gralla positions counters and cabinets in the corners
of this area to eliminate sharp edges that could cause injury. In addition, the floor is usually
equipped rubber mats or pavers and a trench drain with cleaning baskets.
These are only a few hints and tips to create a horse barn that will stand the test of time,
save labor, and prevent injury.