Sunday, 1 February 2015

Practical Horse Barn Construction Alberta

By Kristen Baird


Western Canada and particularly the province of Alberta have become very desirable destinations for many families. There are amazing economic opportunities, great residential neighborhoods and many outdoor sports to enjoy. Equestrian activities have become one of the fastest growing areas of recreation. Riding is a hobby that all the family can enjoy, from the young children to parents and even grandparents.

Horses need to have somewhere to escape from the heat of summer and the intense cold of winter. With this in mind every owner should consider the quality of their horse barn construction Alberta. Putting up new barns, either big or small, is quite an investment. The property owner will want to ensure that they have a building that is safe, secure and will provide many years of service.

Good boarding barns are very profitable enterprises. They often provide a range of additional features such as on site trainers, an indoor riding arena and even shows and competitions. Many people also like the opportunity to meet others from the area who also love horses. They can get together and go on trail rides to enjoy the wonderful scenery as well as some fresh air and exercise.

Before construction begins it is essential to choose the best site. This should be on well drained ground that is not prone to flooding. If there is any problems with standing water the area will need to have good drainage measures installed first. Trying to build on wet ground will be a long term issue and really bad for the animals.

Those planning bigger barns must also be aware of how much work is involved on a daily basis. Stalls must be cleaned at least once each day and the horses need a constant supply of hay. Most people like to add a large hay loft to make storage easy and feeding a breeze. They should calculate how much hay they will need to see them through the winter and ensure that there is enough space to store it. Hay that gets wet will go moldy and have to be thrown away. All hay must be stored in clean and dry conditions.

Only the best quality materials should be used to construct barns. Horses are very powerful animals and can easily kick through a flimsy board. Each year many animals suffer unnecessary injuries because they are housed in stalls or buildings that are not strong enough. A young or agitated animal will often kick out in fear. The stalls must be strong enough to withstand this type of behavior.

Large barns will also need a hay loft. This should be big enough to hold enough hay to see all the horses through the winter. It is important to have the loft full of hay before the cold snowy weather arrives as this can make transport difficult. Installing trap doors over each stall will save a lot of time. Hay can be dropped to each horse in a matter of minuets and it is this type of feature that saves a lot of time and money in the long run.

Once work begins it is a good idea for the owner to make regular visits to the site. This will ensure that everything is going ahead to their exact specifications. If they see any areas that can be changed or improved they can alert their contractor right away. Once the building is finished any changes will be much more costly.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment