Is your current barn a little too small for your liking? If your stalls are filled and you need more space, then it’s time to expand your horse barn. Here are some great tips to get you started in expanding your barn.

Decide How Many Stalls You Need

Before you start to plan your barn expansion, decide just how many stalls you need to add on. It’s easier to add on an extra stall and have it empty, rather than to need a stall that you don’t have. The number and type of horse stalls to be added on will be one factor which affects the complexity of your barn expansion.

Evaluate How Many Horses Paddock Space Can Accommodate

When you expand your barn, you need to evaluate the paddock space that you have available. Bringing additional horses onto the property will require additional turnout room – can you expand or alter your paddocks to support the increased number of horses? Turning new horses out into a herd is not always successful, since some horses just don’t get along. Even if you have large pasture area available, you may need to partition it off to accommodate the new horses.

Consider Creating a Second Smaller Barn

In some cases, creating a second, smaller barn may provide an ideal solution to your expansion needs. You might want to create a second barn if paddock access from the first barn is limited – a second barn would reduce the distance that you have to walk to turn horses in and out. A second barn may also be an excellent idea if you have horses that you would like to keep separate, such as if you need to set up a sales barn or a way to keep boarders and lesson horses apart.

Consider Renovating When You Expand

Expanding your barn can create the perfect opportunity to renovate any areas of your existing barn that may need updating. Consider installing new stalls, adding a tack room organization system, or installing new barn doors so that your entire barn has the new, clean appearance of your expansion.

Work With a Contractor Who Knows Horses

Above all else, it’s so important that you work with a contractor who knows horses. A contractor experienced in building horse barns can help you identify potential problems before you actually start the renovation, saving you time and money. Your contractor will be familiar with horse barn functionality, and can advise you on the construction and planning methods that will work best for your barn.

At Classic Equine Equipment we would be happy to speak with you about your barn renovation, your planning, and your needs for stall components and other supplies. Please call us early on in the process so that we can best assist you as you plan to expand your dream barn.

Original Source:  Tips for Expanding Your Barn