5 Benefits Of Run-In Horse Shelters
If you've recently decided to share your life with an equine companion, you're undoubtedly looking forward to spending many happy years with your new friend — and you'll want your horse to be as comfortable and healthy as possible. If you haven't had a barn installed on your property yet, you probably have a lot to think about concerning the type of shelter you want your horse to have. Unless you live in a part of the country where winter outdoor temperatures are routinely well below freezing for the majority of the time, a run-in shelter may be a better option than a fully-fledged barn. Fortunately, you do have options when it comes to sheltering your horse.
Following are five benefits of choosing a run-in horse shelter instead of a classic barn.
It Will Be Less Expensive
Having a fully-appointed barn built on your property can be nearly as expensive as having a new house built, but run-in shelters don't cost nearly as much. Unlike barns, you won't have to start with a foundation, and it won't be necessary to add any wiring or plumbing. Pre-fab horse shelters can be custom-built to meet local building requirements, which saves even more by cutting down on bureaucratic red tape.
It Will Provide As-Needed Shelter for Your Horse
Because barns are fully contained buildings with doors that open and close, horses don't have complete control over when and where they're sheltered. A run-in shelter, on the other hand, leaves that decision up to the horse. Horses evolved in areas with harsh winter conditions, so they can withstand cold conditions to an extent — and they're better judges of their own unique personal pain points and/or sweet spots. Keep in mind that summer comes with conditions of its own that may cause horses to seek shelter. On hot days, for instance, run-in shelters provide welcoming cooling when outdoor temperatures soar beyond the comfort range, and horses can move in and out of them depending on their individual tolerance levels for heat. This type of shelter also provides quick relief from sudden summer rainstorms, hail, and swarms of flies.
It Will Need Less Cleaning
A horse shelter will need less cleaning because the animal is far more likely to simply step outside to relieve itself rather than doing so inside the shelter, which is an option not available to animals that are kept in a barn where someone needs to let them in and out. A traditional box stall needs to be cleaned once per day and fully mucked out about once a week. Failure to do so may result in damage to the animal's hoofs in the form of thrush. Additionally, a poorly kept stall is conducive to the formation of airborne particulates such as dust mites that have the potential to wreak havoc with equine respiratory systems.
It May Be Portable
Run-in horse shelters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many of them are portable. This will allow you to move the structure on an as-needed basis, which will be particularly valuable to those with larger properties. For instance, you may want to move the shelter closer to your house during the cold season so you can keep a good eye on your horse.
It Will Allow Your Horse to Get More Exercise
If you're most people who live in areas with four distinct seasons, you won't be riding much during the winter months, which may prevent your horse from getting the exercise it needs for optimal health. With daylight hours short, many horses spend most of their winters in the barn. With an open-sided shelter, your horse will be able to go in and out as it pleases and will therefore get more exercise.
Talk to a supplier to find the right horse shelter for your needs.
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