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All equine owners know that keeping horses is not a minor commitment. Horses require special care that can get very pricey. If you need to add a horse shelter to your setup, you might’ve already looked for premade brands and found yourself dissatisfied with the prices.
You probably know by now that they aren’t cheap. If you are a skilled craftsman, you can whip up one of these DIY horse shelters in no time. Below, you can examine seven plans to see which style and experience level fits your circumstances.
The 7 DIY Horse Shelters
1. Economy Round Run-In Shed Shelter Barn
| Materials: | 8—round or 4’ x 4’ pressure-treated posts, 3—¾-inch plywood sheets, 3—52” x 16’ cattle panels, 12’ x 16’ heavy-duty tarp, 1 box of 2-inch screws, Box of fence staples, 30—11” UV black cable ties, 100—8” UV black cable ties, Can of fence or barn paint |
| Tools: | A second person, Paintbrush, Spade, Hammer |
| Complexity: | Basic |
The Economy Round Run-In Shed Shelter Barn is an ideal choice if you’re running low on cash. This shelter is a perfect option for temporary situations, such as inclement weather. The finished design measures 20’ x 25’.
The maker claims it was a one-person job, so you don’t have to worry if you have no helping hands. It’s simple and inexpensive and big enough for a few horses to seek refuge.
2. My Outdoor Plans Horse Shelter Plans
| Materials: | 2—4’ x 4’ pieces of lumber, 8—2’ x 4’ pieces of lumber, 2—2’ x 4’ pieces of lumber, 30—2’ x 4’ pieces of lumber, 1—2’ x 10’ piece of lumber, 2—2’ x 6’ pieces of lumber, 500—2½-inch screws, 200—1⅝-inch screws |
| Tools: | Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level, Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Safety gloves, Safety glasses |
| Complexity: | Intermediate |
The My Outdoor Plans Horse Shelter Plans are thorough and easy to follow. Once it is constructed, this shelter measures 10 by 14 feet. The structure is secure and functional, and you can customize the cosmetic features.
The downloadable plans include alternative options for the overall design, too. So, make sure you check them out before committing to one shelter.
3. How-To Specialist Horse Run-In Shed
| Materials: | 10—2’ x 6’ pieces of lumber, 8—3/4” plywood, 3—2’ x 6’ pieces of lumber, 2—1’ x 8’ pieces of lumber, 4—1’ x 8’ pieces of lumber, 14—T1-11 ⅝-inch siding, 300 square feet tar paper, 300 square feet shingles, 2½-inch screws, 3½-inch screws, 1⅝-inch screws, 2-inch brad nails, Wood filler, Wood glue, Stain or paint |
| Tools: | Safety gloves, Glasses, Miter saw, Jigsaw, Chalk line, Tape measure, Spirit level, Carpentry pencil, Drill machinery, Drill bits |
| Complexity: | Advanced |
The How-To Specialist Horse Run-In shelter is a sturdy, functional design that will protect your horses without question. It has a simple slanted roof design with a support beam in the center of the frame.
You can select a few options for the overall aesthetics, so check out the one you love most before you buy the supplies to build it. Since it’s wooden, you can paint or stain the exterior for weatherproofing or cosmetic purposes.
4. Corral Panel Cover
| Materials: |
Corral panels (x3-4), cattle panels (x3-4), heavy duty tarp (x1), t-posts (x4), zip ties
|
| Tools: | A second person |
| Complexity: | Basic |
One of the simplest shelters you can build for your horse is a corral panel cover. Corral panels are great because the materials are easy to find, easy to assemble, and very versatile. Corral panels can be used to create a covered stall or to create a simple run-in. These plans allow you to build a cover for your panels using a tarp, some panels, and zip ties.
No tools are required, and anyone can build this shelter. If you already have corral panels lying around, you can save money on the assembly. This is one of the simplest shelters to build on your own because most of the pieces are preassembled.
5. Customizable Run-In
| Materials: |
Exterior screws (3”), rafter clips (x30), metal roofing, metal side panels, 2x10x10 (x2), 2x10x12 (x2), 2x10x20 (x2), 2x4x10 (x32), 2x6x12 (x16), 2x8x10 (x58), 6x6x10 (x5), bags of concrete (x25), metal screws
|
| Tools: | Drill, Impact driver, Circular saw, Miter saw, Hammer |
| Complexity: | Advanced |
These plans feature a solid base to create a durable run-in that is highly customizable. You can easily swap the metal side panels with siding or planks. You can also install the gutter or not. You can add a middle section and a gate to create a stall. The options are genuinely up to you. The downside is that this shelter is pricey and requires plenty of construction knowledge to customize and finish. There is a handy video that will walk you through the construction step by step.
6. Add a Lean-To to Shed or Barn
| Materials: |
2×4 framing lumber, 2×6 framing lumber, 1×4 furring strips, 4×4 posts (x3-5), roofing material, your choice of siding, foundation blocks, or concrete, nails, screws
|
| Tools: | Hammer, Drill, Circular saw, Miter saw |
| Complexity: | Intermediate |
You can install a lean-to for your horses onto almost any existing structure. This idea is perfect for anyone with a feed shed, barn, or garage in their pasture. With a few posts and lumber, you can attach a lean-to to the side of your existing structure, which has multiple benefits. It prevents you from building an entirely new free-standing structure. It also allows you to have a run-in for your horses without always leaving the barn open. This lean-to is very versatile, giving you a lot of leeway to adjust it to fit various structures.
7. Simple Pallet Lean-To
| Materials: | Metal roofing, 2x4x10 (x6), pallets (x12), 2x6x8 (x2), nails |
| Tools: | Circular saw, Hammer |
| Complexity: | Basic |
Not every lean-to shelter has to be an expensive and elaborate project. You can build an effective lean-to with boards and used pallets. This simple lean-to is built out of recycled pallets. That significantly reduces the cost because it is easy to find free pallets or pallets for as little as $5. The three walls of this structure are made from pallet wood, while the frame and the roof are made from new materials. Almost anyone can assemble this lean-to, making it perfect for people with basic skills or tight budgets.
Do Horses Need a Shelter?
Horses should have shelter where they can go in and out of as they please. Many shelters are called run-ins because they allow horses to run into them when they want to. Horses don’t like standing in the rain, and they would prefer to be able to get under a shelter during stormy weather.
Horses also like to have a shady area to relax in when it is hot outside. In many cases, large, shady trees are enough, but if you have a pasture without trees, you should consider providing some basic shelter for your equines.
You do not need to build an elaborate barn for them. A simple lean-to or tarp cover is more than enough to keep your horses dry in the rain and shaded during the heat of the day.
Final Thoughts
Constructing a DIY project for your horse shelter doesn’t have to be a considerable expense. With research, planning, and hard work, you can assemble a durable shelter. Some plans are more complex than others, and it’s vital to ensure you select a project suitable for your skill level. However, you’ll save a lot of money if you build the shelter rather than buy a commercial brand.
If you’re up for the challenge, pick your favorite DIY plan and start nailing.
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
