Almost every state in the US has a measurable amount of snow except for Florida. The problem with snow is that it is accompanied by a freezing temperature, which can cause serious trouble for equine species. Though a certified steel horse barn structure can withstand a snow load of 40 pounds and even more per square foot and is built to last, a little prep will make your job easy and give horses a comfortable warmth in winter. What are those preps? Let’s see them.
Here Are The Most Effective Winter Care Practices For Metal Horse Barns
1. Order Supplies Before Winter Arrives
Your horse needs ample nutrients as the temperature drops. So, you must plan ahead and stock up on their feed and other necessary supplements. You can clean your tack room or feed storage area and store fresh piles of hay bales in advance.
Another thing to ensure is to have enough stock for good quality bedding, mold-free hay, straws, and some daily exercise.
2. Clean Your Steel Horse Barn
Before winter comes and you become a little lazy, it is always the best practice to clean the inside and outside of the metal barn thoroughly. Install racks and hooks for storing horse blankets, as they need to be changed from time to time.
Remove any cobwebs near lights, in corners, and around stall walls. Replace any broken or malfunctioning light bulb. Winters have longer nights and darker days, so you are going to need it more often. Check all hardware and connections.
3. Check Ventilation
Efficient steel barns should have ample circulation of fresh air that every horse needs without excess moisture, dust, and waste gases. To get proper air circulation, you can open doors (but it should not promote a strong draft) and ensure there is no blockage to the ventilation inlets or outlets.
Opt for natural ventilation, which can be along sidewalls or roof ridges. Consider your landscape, wind direction, orientation, and air current for a better vent system that works best both in winter and summer. It will remove foul barn odors.
Do not forget to check the air quality on the floor of the individual stall, especially around the young foals. Dust, urine, manure, and food can accumulate around the bedding area, which can create a stuffed and slippery floor for both horses and you. So, cleaning and regular upkeep are called for to avoid unhealthy conditions.
4. Inspect Insulation For Temperature Regulation
Install an indoor thermometer to monitor the temperature inside. You can put on the blankets around the horses if the temperature dips below what they can tolerate. An insulation acts as a barrier to heat and cold. So, if the inside temperature is warm, it will maintain that for a longer duration.
Roof insulation here is crucial as almost 25% of the heat loss occurs via the roof. You can use a closed cell spray form type insulator for best results. It will retain heat, especially during nighttime. You can install kick-boarding to the eaves’ length to give an extra layer of insulation and minimize the draft.
5. De-icing Water Pipes & Tanks
Water expands as it freezes. So, tanks and pipes may develop cracks or collapse. This will require expense servicing if not replacement. So, what to do? You can drain all the water from the tank, as ice can block valves or outlets. But what if you don’t want to empty the water tank? Is there any way to use it? Fortunately, yes.
Get a large round-shaped tank as it has less surface area, and keep it full throughout the winter. Adding water level until the freezing temperature subsides will reduce the chance of freezing. If it is freezing, you can add a blanket heater that prevents the water tank from freezing. Conversely, you can insulate the tank. Just ensure that they are waterproof.
When planning your prefabricated barn, opt to keep your tank in a place where sun is available throughout the day. Also, insulate the pipes that go to and from the tank or install an insulated pipe. Then, you can check for any leakage.
Note: Know where all values and opening locations are. In case of any water pipe burst or leakage, you can immediately close it without letting all water spread on the floor.
6. Seal Windows & Doors To Prevent Cool Air Draft
Air drafts can enter through holes, cracks, or openings. This will bring in outdoor cool air that tends to settle down. It will make horses uncomfortable. Hence, you need a waterproof silicone-based sealant to seal all the problematic areas.
Weather-stripping doors and windows can prevent water or cold air from entering inside metal horse barns. It will also act as a good noise barrier. They also prevent small insects and rodents from entering and taking shelter inside the steel horse barn.
7. Equine Comfort Is Important
Ensure all first aid for horses is on board. Manure removing racks, fly sprays, and other essential stuff are in the barn. Use a good quality mate and bedding for comfort and warmth. Store at least 30 days of food supply for horses. You can listen to the weather forecast and plan your day accordingly.
Tips: (For Constructing Metal Barn In Colder Region)
- If you live in an area that has longer, colder months, consider placing anchors of your steel horse barn below the frost depth. This will hold the entire structure firmly and prevent any mishap.
- Go for a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) that is made up of reinforced concrete for a long-lasting base. It is a good substitute for the expensive base. It uses insulation and a shallow depth to reduce frost heave and stabilize the structure.
- Ensure that the corrugated vertical steel roof panels are at a pitch of 4/12 to 9/12 to aid water and snow slide off its surface easily. For areas with heavy snowfall, a pitch of 9/12 is recommended.
- Insulation is your best friend. Steel barns must have an insulator throughout for colder regions with an R-value of 2 to 5.
- Install a gutter with a downspout. It will carry away all melting ice from the roof to a collection tank instead of dripping it on your or your horse’s head every time you enter or exit the metal barn. Make sure snow shovels, wheelbarrows, snow blowers, and other equipment are kept at a location that is easily accessible.
As You Can See
Winterizing metal horse barns is an easy process as most of the requirements are already fulfilled during the installation process. Examining and monitoring whether everything is working fine is crucial. You can carry out inspections by yourself when winter is at your doorstep.
Your horses need care and affection as much as you need. So, caring for their living space and feed is crucial to any rancher’s life. Include salt blocks and electrolytes in the horse’s diet. When the sun’s up, you can open the windows to be a fresh breeze of the air coming in. After all, a horse is better with a blanket and open barn door than a closed, dusty, and moist place.,