I got to thinking about my run ins after reading an article on shelters and their design which makes horses think twice about using them.
I never thought twice about how our five horses don't use any of the three shelters we have in place. Ever. Rain, shine, bugs or snow they rarely go in and if they do they all pack into one specific one. Right now we have an addition to the barn that is 30x16 feet. One end is sectioned off into a stall for my colt, and the rest is for the others. It has one door way, and this is the one they use most. I spray the doorway with acv to keep the flies out, but I have one mare that won't go in, or keeps her head out.
The other is a 15x20 run with an open end. It is constructed out of board and tarp. This was their go to before we opened up the barn add on. The main problem I had with this was sinking ground, no matter how much gravel we dumped it would sink and become a mud pit.
The third is a 30x12 barn which was completely stripped on the inside. Trouble loves this run, but the others won't touch it. It has large windows and a packing blanket hanging over the door. Trouble will push the blanket out of the way and go in and stay out of the flies and rain.
What would the best dimensions and designs be for outdoor shelters? Ideas would be great because I'd like to rebuild a good usable run that they will actually use.
I never thought twice about how our five horses don't use any of the three shelters we have in place. Ever. Rain, shine, bugs or snow they rarely go in and if they do they all pack into one specific one. Right now we have an addition to the barn that is 30x16 feet. One end is sectioned off into a stall for my colt, and the rest is for the others. It has one door way, and this is the one they use most. I spray the doorway with acv to keep the flies out, but I have one mare that won't go in, or keeps her head out.
The other is a 15x20 run with an open end. It is constructed out of board and tarp. This was their go to before we opened up the barn add on. The main problem I had with this was sinking ground, no matter how much gravel we dumped it would sink and become a mud pit.
The third is a 30x12 barn which was completely stripped on the inside. Trouble loves this run, but the others won't touch it. It has large windows and a packing blanket hanging over the door. Trouble will push the blanket out of the way and go in and stay out of the flies and rain.
What would the best dimensions and designs be for outdoor shelters? Ideas would be great because I'd like to rebuild a good usable run that they will actually use.