Nikki Alvin-Smith | Horizon Structures

Multi-Faceted Use of Your Backyard or Horse Farm

It’s amazing what you can do with a small piece of property or smallholding when it comes to rearing critters and growing fruits and vegetables. The backyard can be a place of solace as a private retreat, a playground to keep children happy and healthy with fun-filled exercise outdoors. The uses are limited only by your imagination and of course, any current zoning restrictions. The latter are well worth checking before you start a new enterprise.

If you are lucky enough to own a horse farm then there is probably plenty of under utilized space on the property. While horse barns, pastures and arenas come first, there are lots more ways you can add value to your farm life experience beyond horses.

Homesteading is trending up across the country, and the addition of chicken-keeping to your animal care world can reap more rewards than just a supply of fresh eggs daily.

Did you know chickens are very efficient at keeping down the insect population if they are allowed to pick and peck over pastures or gardens? There are a few caveats to consider in mixing horses and chickens in the same environment, but also many benefits.

Here’s a view from both sides of the fence.

If you have kids they will love the fun of collecting eggs. Taking care of chickens can teach children valuable lessons like responsibility. There are a huge array of recipes that incorporate eggs and this gives plenty of opportunity to enjoy experimental cooking lessons with the family, and of course you can also share your farm fresh eggs with friends and family, or even sell them to boarders if you have a livery operation.

Another keen pursuit is the growing of fruits and vegetables. It seems everywhere you look these days a new garden has sprouted up replete with bedding boxes and chicken wire to keep the critters out. While the price of pressure treated lumber has tripled, and is not particularly viable price wise for building beds and boxes from a budget point of view (even if you can find some in stock), there are plenty of other methods you can use as planting boxes. Options include collapsible boxes that can be removed after the growing season, discarded tractor tires, stonewalls or rockeries or simply go to planting directly in the ground.

A fresh supply of homegrown food with a minimal carbon footprint is not only good to eat, it can be great fun to nurture plants and offers a sincere reward with its known provenance and availability. Of course not everyone lives in a region where there is a long growing season, and the addition of a greenhouse can greatly extend the length of the season as well as offer a bug and critter free, controlled temperature environment that will encourage all plants to thrive.

As horse owners the thought of a glass or wrapped plastic greenhouse may not appeal. Glass is a hazard to horses and subject to damage and wrapped plastic can flap and tear and does not offer the most appealing aesthetic. Consider a modern, polycarbonate greenhouse that gives the appearance of a pretty and traditionally designed structure without the worries of broken glass or the annoying wind noise of a plastic clad frame. A glass greenhouse can also present a challenge if you have kids that like to kick a ball around or play in the garden, so the polycarbonate siding works well as a child-friendly greenhouse too.

Horse owners are also very often dog owners, and love keeping dogs around for both play and as an added security measure. If you train horses, then training dogs probably comes naturally and dog breeding, dog boarding and grooming, and obedience training are all avenues that can add income to your farm business.

Start with a commercial grade easy care, easy clean kennel to ensure the daily chores are quickly and efficiently accomplished, and keep your canine care and comfort at the top level that customers will truly appreciate. If you board horses for folks, those same clients will probably trust you to board their dogs when they are away from home on business or pleasure travel. What a neat way to add more revenue to your bottom line.

For the homeowner the addition of a residential kennel can be a boon for use when pets need to be left home while errands are run. The option of leaving a dog in the car while shopping is obviously forfeited when temperatures are high. Dogs can be safely ensconced in a comfortable and secure location that minimizes the risk of them getting into mischief and causing damage to the home or ingesting something they shouldn’t requiring a run to the vet.

Additionally a residential kennel can offer a space for pets that arrive with visiting friends and family, and provide a retreat for family pets that might be overwhelmed too much input and noise at large family gatherings.

If you are a busy at the farm with horse care and training, any spare moments to relax may be few and far between and like most of us a cheap plastic chair or two, set outside the end of the barn for a quick respite are what’s on offer. As you dodge the heat of the sun and migrate around the yard to find a spot of shade with no pesky bugs, those moments of true relaxation can be fleeting.

Up the level of enjoyment of the great outdoors for yourself, family, friends and clients, with the simple addition of an outdoor living structure. Pavilions, pergolas and gazebos offer a permanent building that will provide shelter from the sun and protection from the errant summer shower. Remember to ask the manufacturer about options for screening in the space, so that you can escape the persistent buzzing and biting insects when you want to kick back. Choose a company that offers a large selection of styles and designs. For low maintenance choose vinyl over wood.

Talking of family perhaps you have kids home that are bored with just hanging around the barn and spend most of their time planted on the couch with device in hand. The anti-social screen time drives most parents nuts but it is a seemingly inevitable pastime in the modern era.

If you have the space the addition of a playset can add much value to a child’s life. It offers a great place to play with friends, and can teach good social behavior such as sharing space and helping others enjoy the activities it provides. A playset is a tool that can teach leadership and motor skills such as balance, and encourages the development of a child’s imagination. Swinging can additionally reduce stress. Learn how swings can build a child’s mental health with meditation, mindfulness, thinking time and daily reflection.

A playset keeps your kids entertained in a healthy manner, can be sited within view/hearing range of your barn but not under your feet, and gives you more time to focus on riding without guilt! It will also make your children popular with friends, who will want to visit and share in the fun.

There are many ways to develop your backyard into a more valuable space or to design a horse farm that offers inclusivity for all generations and presents the opportunity of a bucolic, fun and educational lifestyle experience for everyone.

Make the most of your space with one of these backyard buildings! There is no limit to the imaginative ways an outdoor space can be leveraged for maximum enjoyment though perhaps the necessary funding may be an issue. If that’s the case seek a manufacturer that offers simple financing and can supply all your needs in one easy purchase.

Larger manufacturers will often offer discount pricing for multiple purchases so don’t forget to ask!

Traditional Timber Frame Horse Barns Revisited

Equestrians embrace tradition. And, timber frame horse barns offer a time-honored tradition that is hard to beat when it comes to beautiful carpentry exquisitely showcasing the natural aesthetic appeal of wood.

When my husband and I purchased our farmland in Upstate New York, the neighbor had already taken possession of a lovely 2 bridge – or bank – barn in the front of our property. It was still standing proudly on the hill after 100 years, and despite the fact that its main occupants consisted of a flock of pigeons and said neighbor used its 3-story windows as target practice for his golf swing, we did try to buy it.

I was so impressed with the timber peg design, and the huge roughhewn lumber that made up the main part of the structure and I had great plans for its use. The former occupants – a herd of dairy cows – had left the concrete ground level area 10 years before and the building was dilapidated with doors off their hinges and stone retaining walls at the entrances failing. But, to me, the opportunity to own such a lovely, old barn and to bring it back to its former glory was a dream.

Sadly, it remained just that, a dream. The neighbors sold the property and the new owner decided to knock it to the ground and bury it where it stood. No announcement! We looked out the window one day to see a huge wrecking ball bashing it to pieces and our horses galloping around in their paddocks terrified of the commotion.

Fortunately, many timber frame barns have not met such tragic and untimely ends. They have stood the test of time and are highly prized by discerning property owners. Why is that?

The timber frame construction method encompasses mortise and tenon joinery where a beam – or piece of wood – is pegged on one end and then inserted into a matching hole (or notch) to conjoin solidly with the adjacent piece of lumber.

The work is painstaking because of the craftsmanship and accuracy needed to complete it. Labor costs are necessarily higher, as the journeyman carpenters required must be extremely talented in working with wood and it takes time to produce top quality results.

This type of joinery is revered over the standard post and beam for its inherent beauty, as there is no visual interference to the attractiveness of wood by metal plates or bolts and nails. Timber frame construction also provides the sturdiest and strongest and most enduring type of construction in wooden structures.

As the rafters are cantilevered, the timber frame horse barn also lends itself to having spacious interiors that are free of posts and obstructions. This is one reason that many old timber frame horse barns have been converted to homes.

The raw materials used in timber frame construction are also unique and of premium quality further adding to the cost but with good reason! You can read more about that HERE.

Timber frame buildings are obviously not the cheapest option when it comes to barn construction. But for the discerning horse owner that wants to step it up a notch (pardon the pun), the advent of a unique combination of a modular horse barn configured with timber frame construction does minimize the sticker shock. This innovative combination design is less expensive than a straight timber frame build completed on site.

Another factor to consider when it comes to purchasing a new barn, is the time needed for construction and the noise, mess and general stress than can be involved.
The advantage of this ‘revisited’ timber frame horse barn is the modular components that form the ground level of the building. These barn ‘modules’ are made in the factory and delivered prebuilt directly to the site. Stalls, doors, windows – all the interior features – are assembled and ready to have the magnificent timber frame second floor loft (and lean-to/overhang if purchased) added on site to complete the barn.

This saves time as the construction is not delayed by inclement weather or material shortages/deliveries. It also ensures a quality controlled product that is not hampered by crews that haven’t worked together before or don’t have the experience in the world of horsemanship.

Consider the concerns horse owners have about dropped nails on site, and worries of interruption of their peace and quiet for riding/training on the property and the disruption of construction noise as issues that can all be significantly reduced.

While a timber frame/modular combination building is not going to be quite as ‘instant’ a new barn on the farm as a standard modular horse structure, the delivery and set up of the final barn is only, on average, about 4-5 days longer.

The traditional timber frame is indeed revisited, with modern day improvements that can mitigate both the price and the construction time and fuss. Look for a company that offers a proven positive customer service experience, provides warranties and ‘to the penny’ pricing to ensure the barn purchase is a happy event from start to finish.

Everything old is new again. Sometimes, the traditional methods are the best!

Keeping It Real – How to Make Sure Your New Horse Barn Project Doesn’t Disappoint

To ensure your new horse barn meets or exceeds your expectations and that the project is one filled with joy and happiness as it surely should be, can only happen if you manage your expectations.

When a new horse barn construction is on your horizon, it is easy to get carried away by your horse passion and the excitement that the prospect presents. Naturally you may be nervous about the large capital spend and how to make sure you get what you want and need for your equine family? While it is true there are many pitfalls to be avoided when purchasing horse housing, it is also true that the experience can be extremely positive if properly executed.

Of course, none of us know what we don’t know, so it is important to ask lots of questions of the construction company and carefully choose the builder you collaborate with on the project. The undertaking is not one to be taken lightly. But it is not an overwhelming project if you follow a few simple steps to manage your expectations.

Here are a few pointers that will help you make the best purchase decision.

Plans, Photos and 3D Visuals

Take advantage of new technology such as 3D graphic design to enjoy a ‘walk though’ of planned large barn builds to experience a simulated idea of how the space looks when constructed.

Check the details that might pertain to your particular needs. For example, if you own warmbloods ensure the front stall walls are high enough to accommodate larger horses. If you plan to run a busy boarding operation, determine if the aisleways are wide enough to allow safe passage and passing of horses being led past each other.

Websites and social media platforms offer the savvy shopper the opportunity to delve deep into the huge variety of barn styles and designs on the market. Siding and roofing materials, color options and innovative designs are often highlighted on the manufacturer’s pages. Reviewing images of barns that a company can provide offers inspiration for customizations that are available.

To best manage your expectations, it is essential to take your research a step further than looking online. If possible, visit an existing build the company has constructed, to examine the quality of craftsmanship and materials used in person. A good company will offer testimonials and references but a great company will offer the opportunity for you to speak/email directly with their clients to discuss the purchasing experience one on one.

Pennies and Pricing

Nail down the pricing before you place a deposit on a new horse barn. The popularity of modular and prefabricated barn construction is due in part to the fact that the purchase price is a known ‘to the penny’ quotation and it includes delivery of the structure as well as set up on site.

When you have a firm price for the build of your new horse barn there is no question that not only will you sleep better at night not worrying about cost overruns and delays, you will also be able to better plan your money management strategy.

Help with plans for permits and site preparation is often also available from modular building companies. This eliminates a lot of headaches and can save time in the overall construction process as well as save the purchaser money.

Ask about financing options and check out warranties that are included.

Don’t part with any money unless you have a clearly written contract that defines the materials and total price, specifies any special features or upgrades and defines a reasonable payment plan.

When you envisage your dream barn be aware that all those pretty extras, such as functional cupolas and copper weathervanes cost extra. Don’t become caught up in worrying about what others think of your barn, worry about what is functional first and don’t compromise on important facets such as the size of stalls or storage needs for hay and supplies.

Try and keep to low maintenance siding options where possible, to save on future unexpected and time-consuming costs for repainting and repairs. Stains are now available that can last as long as 15 years before needing additional application.

Investigate thoroughly all the material options available. If possible, choose a company to work with that has both the experience and expertise to correctly choose proven products that work and to apply those products correctly to the build.

Quality Control

Unfortunately building a barn on site opens the barn door to a much higher likelihood of costs overruns and materials being substituted to lack of availability.

Craftsmanship may be compromised due to the availability of construction crew staff and even adverse weather can negatively impact the final result of a barn build. For example, paint and stains need to be applied in a dry environment at a median temperature for best results.

Timelines

There is nothing more frustrating that having your hopes dashed with a delayed build timeline for the finished horse barn.

Your horses may be at livery requiring expensive monthly payments for board that you planned to put toward the barn purchase; the winter may be approaching and your horses need additional shelter; the summer may be heating up and your horses need shade to protect them from the sun’s rays; you may be moving house and need to have your horses moved on a specific timeline.

A factory-made horse barn that is delivered and set up on site, will be produced in a timely manner and with a defined timeframe. This can save much angst waiting for a barn to be finished and ready for use.

Be Realistic

When you take the time to plan well ahead for your future needs and do due diligence before you spend a dime, the likelihood is that the purchasing experience will be a positive one.

Most people don’t mind waiting for the right product, as long as there are no broken promises down the road and unexpected delays.

Take your time, ask lots of questions and choose your construction partner carefully. It does take a team to build a horse barn, make sure you pick the right one!

Magic Mirror on The Wall. What is the Fairest Barn of All?

The verdict is in. The latest in timber frame horse barn design, that utilizes the beauty of traditional carpentry technique of mortise and tenon joinery made with artisan talent combined with the affordability of modular design, is hotter than the century-hitting temperatures this country has experienced this summer.
It is the ‘fairest of them all,’ when it comes to horse barn style and design. Wood fashioned in its ultimate spectacle that reflects the beauty of nature at every turn. There is a certain magical appeal of majestic cathedral ceilings, perfectly fashioned arches, and the seamless invisibility of traditional joinery techniques.
Naturally, a horse barn that features such a complicated carpentry technique that requires specialized expertise to produce is not going to come cheap. The modular construction at the base of the barn combined with timber frame construction above helps mitigate the expenses.
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This unique combination barn offers cost savings over a complete timber peg construction. It is a clever mix of two worlds that benefits the purchaser in cost savings and construction time without compromising on the beauty of the timber frame barn.
Timber frame buildings are popular worldwide for residential living. Their unique design affords architectural delights with curved wood timbers and the handcrafted details showcase the natural hues and patterns of the wood.
It’s not just the inherent beauty of wood that makes timber frame barn designs a top trending purchase in horse barns and homes alike, it’s the sturdiness of the structure. The mortise and tenon joinery means no unsightly nails, bolts or metal plates negatively affect the aesthetic appeal. The beauty is not only a feast for the eyes. This type of joinery also has the benefit of being the strongest of all techniques. Perhaps this is why the grand old barns have stood the test of time.
For horse owners with property located in hot climates, the vaulted cathedral ceilings with their passive airflow offer horses a comfortable environment in which to relax. All horses enjoy the feeling of space and all horse owners appreciate the benefits a sturdy structure with good airflow provides to their equine partners’ health.
Other practical considerations need to be incorporated into this beautiful timber frame barn design, too. A ‘room’ or storage loft space above part of the barn can be a boon for many activities and functional uses. Paved aisleways can be implemented to offer maximum traction. Top quality hardware defines the attention to detail. And spacious stalls with large windows embrace the health and hygiene that natural light produces. All these elements add to the appeal of a well-designed horse barn.
The amazing manner in which this ‘combo’ barn is constructed, like a giant jigsaw in about 5 to 7 days from start to finish, saves the property owner and the avid horse trainer the stress of interruptions from noise, mess and disruption of a longer term 100% ‘stick built’ barn.
The tight training schedule at many horse farms, means that delays due to such disruptions are highly unwelcome. The show must go on, regardless of how many hours in the saddle in preparation have been exacted.
“A harmonious atmosphere in the horse barn is a prerequisite for a settled and focused horse,” says international Grand Prix competitor / coach / clinician Paul Alvin-Smith, who has made many horses from birth to finish in dressage. “The inherent nature of construction is noise. You have trucks big and small coming and going all day long, work crews milling around, and the buzz of equipment pounding the airwaves. Add to that worries over nails left behind on the ground that a horse will inevitably step on, retrieving plastic wrapping blowing across paddocks and spooking stallions and weather delays on the actual build and you quickly find your training schedule for working 6 horses a day is in the rafters for weeks and weeks on end. Quite literally! Not a good thing.“
Many busy trainers at commercial horse barns feel this way.
“It is important in horse training to work to a schedule. No trainer wants to deal with interruptions and upset. This timber frame barn option offers a super alternative to a traditionally ‘stick’ built barn and avoids all those issues. I’ve been impressed with many of the horse structures I’ve encountered in my extensive years of travel worldwide as a clinician and these timber frame combos rate up with the best of them“ Paul added.
You don’t need to ask, “Magic mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest one of all?” as the Evil Queen famously uttered in the 1937 Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” to truly appreciate that a timber frame horse barn is true royalty when it comes to barn building. What you don’t need to conjure up with this hybrid design, as you indeed would need with a full timber peg design, is a royal coffer full of gold coin to purchase one.
If you are contemplating a new horse barn and would like something with a little ‘edge’ – a smoothly planed edge in fact – of impressive timber melded into eye-catching appeal with a substantive feel, then the timber frame barn design built with a modular concept beneath could be your answer.
The timber frame horse barn is the most regal of designs but you don’t have to be a Queen to own one. Why not give it a look!

Traditional Timber Frame Horse Barns Revisited

Innovative Nature in Horse Barn & Kennel Design

One of the most enjoyable parts of planning a new horse barn or kennel is figuring out the creative design.

All horse owners love their horses and want the best possible housing to accommodate their beloved equines’ needs. Add in their own desires and wants to make the build extra special and individual to suit their taste and the design process can quickly become complex. Similarly dog owners or commercial dog business operators have specific needs for the canines in their care.

When a family welcomes a new member to their brood, much thought goes into the nursery design: the color on the walls; the furniture and its arrangement; and the future needs of the occupant. Preparing a nursery is a fun part of the pregnancy that heralds the baby’s imminent arrival.

For horse owners their equines are very much part of the family too. And equal care and attention goes into ensuring that their four-legged compatriots needs are met. What serves as a practical and purposeful design for one horse owner’s barn building needs may fall far short of the requirements for the horse barn for another.

For folks in need of kennel housing for their canines, especially when running a dog-related business, the commercial kennel must fulfill the specific needs for their type of operation, be in dog breeding, dog boarding/grooming or training enterprises.

Customizing a horse barn is about more than choosing colors and copper cupolas, siding selection and stall size. The floor plan has to match the specific needs of the horse owner’s horse keeping style.

For canine comfort, temperature control, outside access with covered pen, box sizes, and drainage and flooring options all merit special consideration.

The innovative nature in both horse barn and kennel design is often a meeting of the minds between the animal owner and the barn builder. What may seem practical to a neophyte construction team may not actually work when it comes to application of the design.

Similarly a horse owner or dog caregiver may not realize the implications of their customization ideas on the ease of daily use of the structure.

For example: Adding sliding doors on the long side of a building in a region that suffers winter snowfall will be subject to piles of shedding snow off the roof during winter months. This will result in a major headache gaining egress and ingress to the building.

Horse and pet owners usually have significant experience in specific and preferred methods of care. Some equestrians prefer maximum hours of turnout for their horses with free access to shelter while others prefer their equine charges be stabled in stalls with turnout times carefully monitored. Certain types of dog training such as K9, may require special security to ensure the canines are contained safely with welded heavy duty wire and options such as a wire-mesh screen for the human entry doors may be preferred to ensure no escapee K9’s during feeding/cleaning times.

When the meeting of the minds occurs between an experienced construction company and a savvy property owner, the collaboration can yield some stellar results.

A construction company that can easily accommodate full customizations in house, with professional draftsman on site to facilitate the plans and drawings and provide experience in engineering and materials available, offers an opportunity for the animal owner to go beyond the standard barn or kennel full of boxes.

Of course the designated (hopefully) Project Manager, has to be keen to develop new ideas and to ‘think outside the box’ both figuratively and literally. It is essential for the horse owner to keep a keen eye on the costs for changes to standard plans and to fully understand the implications, both pros and cons of changes they may put forth.

This liaison between animal owners and builder often produces sincerely great housing design features. Sometimes the modifications are simple. Examples include: a run-in shed of ample size might be fitted with a sliding front door, so that it can easily be used for hay storage. The door may also be used to secure a horse inside during adverse weather; a commercial kennel may be designed with storage, sinks and dog care facilities in the center of a line of kennels to segregate male and female dogs in a breeding operation.

There is no limit to the number of horse barn designs the imaginative animal owner can invent when there are no budget constraints to rein in their enthusiasm. However, financing a capital investment does require some forethought and a clever and well-conceived barn or kennel design can eliminate extra costs involved in building extra spaces.

A great example is the barn build that Horizon Structures constructed for a New Jersey customer who wanted everything ‘under one roof.’ A mixture of stalls, storage and run-in shed shelters in one building balanced the property owners’ needs for multi-purpose horse housing.

Of course not all construction companies will customize a build, and many will offer certain popular upgrades but not address the individual needs and tastes of a particular client. This limited approach to barn or kennel design can thwart the animal owner from being able to save on costs with multi-purpose designs that accommodate their ideas.

If you are contemplating a new kennel or barn don’t be shy to bring your own ideas to the table. Carefully select the building partner you want to work with to ensure they are both willing and able to accommodate your concepts for design.

Choose a company that already offers a myriad of barn and kennel styles that evidences their ability to build various designs. Their website should be comprehensive and full of resources and photos to inspire and educate you in the project.

It is also smart to seek a firm that has a full complement of experienced craftsman to build the barn plus a strong customer service team with the expertise to offer advice along the way. None of us know what we don’t know, and while we may have competence in horse or dog care we may not realize the pitfalls/benefits of certain features or customizations in construction.

Designing your new horse barn or kennel should be fun and productive. Go ahead! Make your dream of owning your own equine barn or canine housing a reality. Between financing options, to the penny pricing and the instant nature of prefab/modular construction there are great options that minimize the stress of building a structure and maximize the enjoyment of purchasing it.

REQUEST A BARN QUOTE HERE | REQUEST A KENNEL QUOTE HERE

Are You A Savvy Shopper? Learn How To Evaluate Reviews and Testimonials

Woohoo! It’s time to shop. Today’s marketplace is overflowing with every conceivable product and even large items like horse barns, dog kennels and outdoor living structures can be bought with a few simple keystrokes.

Understandably manufacturers in today’s marketplace are keen to take advantage of access to online audiences both local and nationwide, and there are tremendous advantages to utilizing online resources to select what to purchase.

Before you splurge and make that capital purchase, it’s smart to be savvy about reviews and testimonials and make sure all is ‘as it seems’.

Many folks rely on the product reviews posted on manufacturers’ websites, and social media and shopping platforms for advice on what to avoid and what to buy. Which is why we are offering you some online shopping safety tips to make you into a savvy shopper!

But be aware there are plentiful opportunities for manufacturers and service providers alike, to manipulate the reviews received, even to fabricate them entirely, is cause for exercising due diligence when it comes to spending money. Especially for big ticket items.

For many of us our personal experience submitting reviews has outlined the manner in which only positive excerpts are taken from honest feedback provided, often without context and without inclusion of negative aspects of the purchasing experience.

Trust and Transparency

This overused term is bandied about with abandon in today’s marketplace. But what does it really mean? For the seller feedback via reviews from customers is a valuable asset that can be leveraged in two directions. Whether the review is good, bad or somewhere in between, it has much value.

Negative comments allow the manufacturer to learn about shortcomings in their customer service and shipping departments, marketing message and importantly product quality issues. The issues cited can then be addressed and ultimately by resolving the objections the manufacturer will operate a better business model that is more likely to succeed.

Positive comments that are taken out of context will not only anger the consumer that submitted them, they will also ring hollow in the discerning shopper’s ear. A list of entirely five star reviews will give pause to the shopper who quickly ascertains the reviews have been selected without transparency. Thus the seeds of distrust are spread.

A savvy consumer will look for reviews from multiples sources on the same product. Where issues with the product itself or the delivery of the item arise, a prospective purchaser will investigate how those shortcomings have been addressed by the manufacturer and how honestly the company has expressed its regret and made amends.

Testimonials should be more than just hot air, with a quick quote, a first name and last initial and a town and state noted if they are to be relevant.

Before splashing out on a major capital purchase it is wise for the consumer to do their homework.

It is not always possible to go in person and ‘kick the kickboards’ of a new barn or take a walk down the aisle of a commercial kennel. Many companies do display their wares at large events such as the Equine Affaire, Horse World Expo , K9 training events etc., and while an in person visit to the manufacturing showroom or lot is ideal, the online option for purchase can be utilized with confidence if due diligence is done beforehand.

Case study pages on a website can be a useful resource from the buying experience and process perspective and also provide inspiration for the buyer. Ideas for design, site placement, colors and style preferences can all be elicited from soaking up the information included in direct quotes from previous customers. Often these clients are professionals within the equestrian or canine sphere and offer insights into how to best manage animals from their wealth of experience.

Companies that offer direct access to their customers with full details of location, type of product purchased and a verifiable method to contact the purchaser, offer true transparency. This may be in the form of an interactive map or case studies on their products that detail full contact information of the purchaser, in addition to posts on social media directly on their platform that identify the buyer and product.

Smart buyers check references and learn about the product by asking lots of questions of lots of people and follow their gut feeling about how honest the sales or customer service team are to work with.

For the buyer it is also wise to follow up research on sample contracts if applicable, look carefully at what standard and extra services or upgrades are available, review warranties and request ‘to the penny’ pricing. Don’t forget to also ask about availability of financing options all factor into the best way to make the best decision on a new structure.

Test out the testimonials! You won’t regret it and it can save a lot of heartache down the road. Consider it like the pre-purchase exam or health check you would do on a new horse or puppy.

Ditches, Dirt and Disasters

If you are planning a new barn or kennel build it’s a good idea to set your sights on the best site possible. Disasters such as flooded stalls, damaged roofs, sliding doors that stick and windows that won’t work, may all stem from poor site selection and mediocre site preparation.

The melee of weather seen in recent months, from forest fires to hurricane winds and flooding, sets the scene for problems to occur even in the best conceived cases of barn or kennel site preparation.

It is always possible to make fixes for issues that arise after construction of the building has been completed. Problems such as damage due to falling trees, flooding due to monsoon type rains and annoyances with minor matters of operational ease of use are usually possible to resolve. However it is usually less expensive to install systems to prevent these troublesome events before the building process begins, rather than afterward.

While it may not be necessary to understand all facets of excavation methods, site preparation and geology, you can certainly save money if you have a working idea of what is likely to be involved in the site preparation and to be able to chat knowledgeably with the contractor.

Before you purchase that dream barn or spacious commercial kennel ask yourself what you know about these basic terms used in construction practice and these common issues that need to be addressed:

Laser transits

Settling

Backfill and cut & fill

Compaction

Soil types

Frost heave

Tile drains/French drains/footer drains

Plumbing and electric Installation

Generators ~ Sizes and Safe Use

Most people have a general understanding of the definitions of these terms, but do not comprehend how they work and more particularly how they may be best utilized to solve site selection challenges.

Drawbacks to a good build such as hilly/rocky ground, poor soil substructure, rapid water percolation and distances to municipal sewer systems, water or even electric services, can be easily remedied with a great plan.

Level Sites Work Best

The luxury of a perfectly level site rarely exists. A completely level site can also bring its own set of problems for effective drainage installations for roof water run-off or snow shedding on large buildings. The goal is always to prevent water entering the interior of the structure.

One of the most overlooked components in barn and kennel structures is the installation of gutters and a means of passage to carry water away from the building is an important component to consider during barn or kennel design.

How do you know if your site is level?

The laser transit is a device used to measure the grade of a site and accurately determine how far off level the construction footprint area is by ‘shooting the grade.’ A tripod with a plumb line and a tall ruler is used to ascertain the heights of different points across the surface of the ground. Similar to the surveyors’ tools there are two people involved to complete the task, one to hold the ‘stick’ or measure and one to take the reading.

There are methods to ascertain grade without the use of a transit or laser level device, but today these are rarely employed.

This is important because wherever the ground drops away from level, the area will need to be filled with materials to bring it up to level. Wherever the ground rises, the site must be flattened, large rock outcrops removed and excess soil bulldozed out of the way of the construction footprint. This engineering process or re-grading is commonly called, ‘ cut and fill.’ Not to be confused with backfilling, which is when material is moved aside from a specific area for a temporary period of time, such as when laying in drains around the perimeter of a building and then replaced.

The more ‘dirt’ that has to be moved, whether it is moved onto the site to heighten an area or removed to clear the space, the higher the cost of the site preparation.

The correct use of a laser level/transit can provide the data as to how many cubic yards of material will need to be removed or filled, thus providing the opportunity to cost the materials needed and the labor time likely to be involved in machine time.

When securing a quote for the work always try to obtain a price for the job versus an hourly rate from the excavation company, as this is usually cheaper.

Many of the bulldozers utilized on construction sites today offer their own laser system to the driver as a heads-up display. A modern piece of equipment with special features to help the operator can save much time and unnecessary movement of the surface and sub-surface layers of the site. Don’t be shy to ask what equipment will be used for the job and what the experience of the operators is in regard to its use.

Settling and Compaction

Whenever soil or organic material is moved from one spot to another, the disturbance causes ‘unsettling’ of its structural components. Over time, this increase in volume will diminish and ‘settle’. This settling occurs to come degree by gravity, but is influenced heavily by rain and snow, freeze and thaw and temperature variances, and above ground traffic such as foot or vehicular passage. The rate of settling or compaction may vary from one area to another within the site.

Large buildings such as indoor arenas often require some re-grading of the any proposed site due to their large footprint. As settling over such a big area is likely to be substantial, construction of the structure is often left for a 12 month period after the site is leveled if fill is required, to allow a full cycle through all four seasons for settling. Minor adjustments back to level can then be undertaken, before the building construction task begins.

The best method to accelerate the settling process is by mechanical compaction of the site. Often gravel is laid over soil, and then a layer of limestone/stonedust or other finer binding material is placed on the surface and compressed. This is accomplished by machines such as heavy rollers, compactors, or by driving back and forth with a bulldozer to compact the layers.

The advantage of mechanical compaction is that it mitigates the risk of subsidence of materials freshly added to an area. Mesh with a binding plant growth such as grass can also minimize the risk of gulley formation and water damage on aprons and downhill graded areas of the site.

Soil Types and Structure

Every type of soil has different qualities. Different soil types all offer pros and cons when it comes to building a firm base for a barn or kennel. Did you pay attention in geography? This Geography 101 might give you a refresher.

Clay soils hold water and can even be used as a liner or backfilled against buildings to help deter water entry. Other soils such as sand based soils percolate freely but commonly shift as a result.

The type of soil will affect frost heave. Frost heave occurs when moisture collected in soil freezes and expands raising the surface area above. To prevent frost heave occurring in the footers/concrete pillars used to support structural elements of a building, it is essential that the footer must be placed below the frost heave depth for the region. In the North East USA this may be 4-6 feet deep, depending on altitude and latitude.

If footer columns/piers/pillars suffer frost heave the building will become unlevel and cause doors and windows to ‘stick’.

The type of soil and topography of the site and the area surrounding it will in part determine the most efficient type of water drainage system to be installed.

Drainage options include:

Surface drainage: The area around the level footprint for the structure is graded down away from the perimeter of the structure called an ‘apron’. This method works best if small ditches are included beyond the apron to take excess water away during heavy rainfall or snow melt.

French drain: A type of sub-surface drain. A trench is dug around the building and filled with permeable material such as rocks, stones or gravel and then backfilled with soil. These trenches are extended away from the building and may go to ‘daylight’ by becoming shallower as they terminate. Pipes may be buried within the gravel to expedite the water removal as in footer drains. See below. These drains may be laid in parallel lines to facilitate extra protection from monsoon like rain flooding an area. A single French drain may become overwhelmed in torrential rain events.

Footing drain: This is another term for the French or sub-surface type of drain. Commonly used around poured concrete foundations, footer drains are large pipes laid within a gravel or stone bed at the base of the foundation. These pipes are perforated on the underside to collect the water. The pipes are laid at a specific grade to carry water away from the structure to protect the integrity of the concrete. Pipes may be wrapped in water permeable fabric to prevent surface soil from migrating into the pipes over time and blocking the holes in the pipes.

Tile drain: Large flexible runs of plastic pipe that are buried sub-surface to collect water and similarly remove it to a lower elevation or graded area away from the building. This type of drain is often installed under outdoor arenas to prevent puddles and surface water issues during heavy rainfall. They are also commonly used in agricultural water management to remove spring water and sub-surface water and carry it to ditches or collection systems within or at the perimeter of a field.

Services for the Structure

Plumbing and electric services required for a barn or kennel merit careful consideration. Disposal of waste/sewage is another important factor to incorporate in the overall building plan.

Consider whether electric service will be provided above or underground. The advantage of repairs being easy to make when electric is run above ground is often offset by the lack of interruption in service due to extreme weather such a high winds. There is additionally an aesthetic appeal of no visible power lines to the building when cables are buried.

As most barns and kennels are within view of the house, the underground option may be attractive but it is also more expensive. Cables buried under high traffic areas such as driveways should be encased in a plastic tube for their protection, and in rocky sub-soils sand can be placed around the cable to help deter damage from sharp rocks that may happen over time.

Water from a well should be tested for health and safety. Even though it may not be intended for human consumption, health risks from ingestion of contaminated water for dogs, cats, horses and other animals should be considered.

Interior plumbing for wash stalls can be designed to work as an aerial system to facilitate drainage through taps placed at eye or waist level in regions that experience freezing temperatures during the winter. The use of flexible ‘Pex’ or plastic pipe and fittings, can be used to minimize the risk of cold weather damage from freezing to pipes in bathrooms, tack and feed rooms, grooming parlors or other water fed interior areas of the building.

Sewer drains for bathrooms should be connected to either the existing house sewer system or direct to the main sewer. A separate sewer system with a tank and leach fields may be required if the barn or kennel is far from the current services. Check with local building code and zoning ordinances to find out what is allowed before embarking on a separate waste system.

Stalls/wash stalls in horse barns and kennel boxes and pens will often be washed down with pressurized water, so proper drainage for these areas is essential.

Stalls can be build with a drain installed (channel drain or circular) preferably in a corner or along the back wall with a concrete floor gently graded down to the drain location and hooked into a pipe system underground to carry water away either to daylight or to a collection and dispersal system such as a septic. It is essential any drain be protected from bedding/hay chaff or other products that might block the drain.

For wash stalls a cheap alternative is to simply have an open pipe in the corner of the stall set into the floor/wall, where water can drain to an outside French drain or similar set up.

Kennel cleanliness is also essential for the health and wellbeing of its canine contingent. The best option is a channel drain run along the back of each of the boxes connected underneath the kennel to a pipe to remove the water away from the structure. Here’s a great article to help you, “Stop Wasting Time With Kennel Clean-Up.”

For peace of mind and practical considerations of feeding and watering animals during power outages the provision of a generator is a smart choice.

It should be installed to code to avoid back-feeding electricity to the mains and should always be connected to the main electrical feed by a licensed electrician then inspected by the local power company afterward.

A generator should always be placed outside. Use of a generator inside a confined space can cause suffocation and death. Various types of generators are available. Fuel options include diesel, propane, natural gas or gasoline.

Consider the storage location for back up supplies of fuel and its delivery to site, especially for larger units. Propane units are generally cheaper to buy than diesel units.

Generators may be smaller mobile units that will run just a few electrical circuits or permanently placed larger units to service entire homes/barns and structures.

It can be handy to place the heavier generators on a concrete pad, which can be poured at the same time as footers or foundations.

Look What You’ve Learned!

Even though your nominated excavator or ‘dirt’ company team should have knowledge of all the above, it pays to be able to talk the talk and oversee the process to ensure any concerns are taken care of now rather than later.

If you ‘inherit’ a barn or kennel on your property and experience problems with water, wind or other damage, retrofitting is possible.

Consider removing leaning trees that may fall that perhaps have grown bigger than expected when planted eons ago.

In areas where forest fires are likely always clear all brush and tree cover away from the buildings and carefully consider the type of roofing material to be used on the structure. Fire suppression systems around and within the building can also be implemented. To manage flooding add tile or French drains around the structure. Clean out gutters and downspouts regularly, to keep them free for efficient operation etc.

Whatever shortcomings there are in site selection or site preparation for a structure, you can be sure they will come back to haunt you in future years. Don’t be shy to ask lots of questions of the excavation company personnel, barn or kennel building company staff. They most likely have a wealth of experience they can share to help you overcome any hurdles you face.