Have you ever wanted to live with your horses? Or maybe you’re considering building an apartment above your barn for a caretaker, or to rent out. Living above a horse barn may seem simply idyllic to a lifelong horse enthusiast, but it’s not always all that it’s cracked up to be. Wondering what it’s really like to live above a horse barn? We’ve got the scoop for you.

Horses Are Noisy

You won’t really notice just how noisy horses can be until you try to sleep above them. If you’re lucky, you will live above horses content to be in their stalls at night, though a new arrival to the barn or a particularly anxious horse can wear on your sleep. Remember, too, that if you’re not doing the morning feeding, you will likely be woken up by the commotion it brings.

While it’s certainly possible to adjust to the point where you can sleep through much of the equine noise below you, living above a barn might not be the best choice for a light sleeper.

Consider the Cribber

If your barn will house horses that crib, you will want to consider your decision to live above the barn very carefully. While cribbing collars and muzzles can lessen the noise, a determined cribber can affect your sleep and quiet time.

Rodents Will Visit

When you have a horse barn, you will most certainly have rodents. In some cases, those rodents may make their way upstairs to the warm apartment, particularly in the fall and winter. Be prepared and have a plan to rid the apartment of rodents before you have to deal with them.

Fly Management Matters

You will quickly find that it is important to have fine window screens in the windows of any apartment located above a horse barn. Flies can make their way into the apartment, and small black flies and gnats can be irritating, especially in the evenings when they are attracted to the lights of your apartment. Good fly management practices in the barn can help to minimize how much you are affected by flies in the apartment.

It’s Nice to Be Close

Though there are certainly compromises that you will have to make when living above a barn, it’s also great to be close to the horses. You can step outside and go for a ride, which can be a great time-saver for riders with busy schedules. Additionally, you can easily check on your horses at night, and will be woken up if there is unusual commotion down in the barn overnight.

Living above a barn certainly has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the decision of whether to build an apartment above your barn will depend on your particular situation.

Original Source: What Is It Like Living Above a Horse Barn?