Our Principles of Animal Shelter Construction
Effective equine housing must address three fundamental engineering challenges: Impact Resistance, Ventilation, and Functional Safety.
1. Engineered for Impact (Durability and Integrity)
A 1,200-pound animal exerts tremendous force. The structure must absorb this impact without failing and without injuring the animal.
Robust Framing: We utilize heavy-duty framing techniques and posts. This ensures the structure remains rigid and stable under impact and environmental loads (wind and snow).
Oak Kickboards (The Essential Barrier): The interior walls of our horse barns and run-ins are lined with high-density oak kickboards, typically 4 feet high. Oak is the industry standard for its ability to absorb the impact of a kick without splintering or breaking through. This protects both the animal’s legs and the structural integrity of the building.
Durable Materials: We use materials selected for long-term performance in agricultural settings, including pressure-treated lumber for ground contact areas to resist rot and decay.
2. Optimized Airflow (Ventilation and Health)
Horses have sensitive respiratory systems. Poor ventilation traps ammonia from waste, dust from bedding, and excess moisture. This leads to respiratory distress and chronic conditions.
Continuous Air Exchange: Proper ventilation is non-negotiable. Our designs incorporate strategic airflow management. The open nature of run-ins facilitates constant air exchange. Our enclosed barns use functional vents, windows, and optional cupolas to manage air quality without creating direct drafts on the animals.
Moisture Control: Effective airflow, combined with proper roofing and siding, ensures a dry interior environment, minimizing mold and bacteria growth.
3. Designed for Safety (Risk Mitigation)
The interior environment must be free of hazards.
Secure Hardware: All latches, door hardware, and fasteners are heavy-duty and installed securely to prevent loosening or breakage. Hardware is selected to minimize sharp edges or protrusions.
Meticulous Construction: Amish craftsmanship ensures tight tolerances and smooth finishes, eliminating gaps where a hoof might get caught.
Chew Protection: Exposed wood edges are prone to chewing (cribbing). We offer metal edge capping to protect the structure and deter this behavior.
Our Equine Structure Solutions
We offer a range of solutions from simple pasture shelters to comprehensive modular barns, adaptable for various livestock needs.
1. Run-In Sheds: Essential Pasture Shelter
A run-in shed is the minimum requirement for responsible pasture management. It is typically a three-sided structure providing immediate, accessible shelter.
The Function: Run-ins provide 24/7 access to refuge from harsh sun, wind, driving rain, and snow. The open-front design allows animals to enter and exit freely. This promotes natural behavior, reduces the stress associated with confinement, and ensures shelter is available during sudden weather changes.
Key Features:
Lined with Oak Kickboards: Standard for safety and durability.
Robust Framing: Built to withstand rigorous use by large animals.
Portability: Typically built on heavy-duty pressure-treated skids, allowing them to be relocated if pasture rotation is required.
Customization:
Dimensions: Available in various sizes to accommodate different herd sizes.
Partitions: Add interior partitions to separate animals during feeding or manage herd dynamics.
Tack/Feed Rooms: Integrate a secure, enclosed room on the side of the run-in for convenient storage of feed and supplies.
2. Horse Barns (Modular and On-Site)
For owners requiring dedicated stalls, centralized management, and enhanced protection, we offer customized horse barns. These structures provide a secure, efficient environment for daily care.
The Function: Provides individual stalls for controlled feeding, injury recovery, and separation of animals. Integrates secure storage for tack and feed, centralizing operations and protecting supplies from the elements and pests.
Configurations:
Shed Row Barns: A single row of stalls, often with an overhang (lean-to). An efficient, cost-effective design with excellent ventilation.
Center Aisle Barns: Stalls located on both sides of a central aisle. This design optimizes workflow, allowing all chores to be completed indoors, protected from the weather.
Key Features:
Stall Construction: Sturdy partitions with metal grills allow for socialization and airflow while keeping horses securely separated. Stalls are lined with oak kickboards.
Heavy-Duty Doors: Secure Dutch doors or sliding stall doors designed for equine safety.
Integrated Rooms: Customizable layouts including tack rooms, feed storage, wash bays, and grooming areas.
Materials and Construction Methods
The longevity of our equine structures is a direct result of the materials we use and how we deploy them.
Exterior Material Options
Choose the aesthetic and maintenance level that suits your operation:
Metal Siding and Roofing: Highly durable, low maintenance, fire-resistant, and impervious to chewing. The standard for modern agricultural buildings.
LP SmartSide (Engineered Wood): Provides a traditional aesthetic with superior durability compared to standard wood siding. Treated to resist rot, decay, and termites. (Often backed by a 50-year warranty).
Board & Batten: A classic, rustic look using heavy-duty wood siding, offering excellent durability and texture.
Architectural Shingles: Available for roofing if the barn needs to match existing structures. (Often backed by a Lifetime warranty).
Delivery and Installation
We manage the logistics to ensure professional installation. The method depends on the scale and design of the structure.
1. Prefabricated Delivery (Modular) Most run-in sheds and smaller shed-row barns are manufactured in our controlled facility in Central Pennsylvania.
Efficiency: Building in a controlled environment ensures precision and quality control.
Rapid Deployment: The structure is delivered fully assembled (or in large modules for center-aisle barns) to your prepared site. Our specialized equipment ensures precise placement.
2. On-Site Construction Large-scale barns or highly customized projects may be constructed directly on your property by our experienced Amish building crews. This ensures the structure is perfectly adapted to your site and foundation requirements.
Note on Site Preparation: A level site is mandatory for the stability and functionality of any livestock shelter. We typically recommend a compacted gravel pad for prefabricated structures. Larger barns may require concrete footers. We will provide guidance on the necessary foundation requirements for your specific design.
Accessible Ownership: Rent-To-Own (RTO)
Invest in the infrastructure you need now. Our Rent-To-Own program provides a flexible path to ownership for many of our prefabricated horse barns and run-ins.
Convenience: Acquire the structure immediately with manageable monthly payments.
Straightforward Approval: The RTO process is quick and efficient, often without requiring a formal credit check.
Protect Your Livestock. Invest in Quality.
Your equine structures are critical assets. Choose a solution built with the integrity, materials, and specialized features required for a safe and durable agricultural environment.
Contact the Wunderbar Structures specialists today at 570-810-5815 or Request a Free Quote to discuss your requirements and design the optimal shelter for your livestock.
