3 Reasons Why Steel Buildings Make Safe, Secure Horse Stables
Steel buildings offer a combination of style and animal security for horse stables, providing years of worry-free use.
For decades, wooden pole barns were the standard for horse stables. And while they served a purpose in an era when there weren’t many other options, they don’t come close to offering the longevity and security that pre-engineered steel buildings do.
While they might have been sturdy enough to start, pole-barn constructions had a tendency to weaken and deteriorate relatively quickly. Plus, they took longer to build and required more maintenance to keep them in peak condition.
The evolution of steel buildings has changed all of that. Advances in pre-engineered designs and the use of horse-friendly materials are allowing equine enthusiasts to erect durable stables quickly and conveniently.
1. Putting Your Animals’ Well-being First
Have you ever driven down the highway and seen an ageing horse stable that’s weathered and tattered, and thought to yourself: “That’s quaint.” The owner probably doesn’t think so.
Anyone familiar with old wooden barns knows these buildings pose a number of serious threats:
- Moisture infiltration
- Mould
- Rot
- Pest infestations
By choosing steel buildings for your stables and other farm buildings, you’ll be providing a safe, functional environment to house your animals. The frame, roof and other support structures are designed to withstand:
- Strong winds
- Extreme weather
- Fire
- Corrosion
- Fading and chipping
2. Adding to Your Herd
One of the intrinsic benefits of pre-engineered metal buildings is that they’re easy to expand. This can be a handy option for horse owners who wish to increase the size of their herd or add other features to the stable down the road. This could include things such as:
- Tack and feed room
- More stalls
- Washrooms
- Change rooms
- Office space
By discussing this with your pre-engineered building designer in the initial planning stage, you’ll be able to incorporate these later modules more effectively.
3. Protecting Your Horses
Some horses are prone to misbehaving when they’re in their stables. Sometimes they act out by:
- Cribbing (grabbing and pulling objects like stall doors or rails)
- Chewing wood
- Kicking stalls
Not only do these habits have an adverse effect on your stable, they can injure the horse, which can lead to significant vet bills.
For instance, when a horse kicks through a wood panel, there’s a serious risk it will get splinters in its leg. With pre-engineered steel buildings, the paneling is strong enough not to break, but it’s also flexible enough to give. Plus, horses can’t chew through steel.
By using metal as your primary building material, you’ll be sheltering your horses in a safer environment that requires a lot less upkeep than a wooden structure.
If you require additional storage for your winter horse feed, read our post: 3 Reasons to Consider Steel Buildings for Hay Storage.
Building quality, long-lasting stables to protect a herd of horses is a sound investment. At Metal Structure Concepts, we design and erect steel buildings for an array of agricultural applications, including stables and riding rings. Call us to discuss your building objectives.