Choosing And Placing A Horse Shelter For A Dry Climate
Your horse needs some kind of shelter, even if you live in a sunny, hot, and dry climate with little or no rain. Horses who have access to shelter at will tend to sweat and overheat less and show signs that they may feel more comfortable. The type of shelter you choose and where you place it is also extremely important. Here are some tips to choosing a shelter for your pasture or horse run if you live in a warmer, drier region.
Choose a Type of Shelter
Horse shelters come in all varieties of style and designs, and the type you choose depends on the size of your property, its topography, the number of horses you own, and your design preferences. For hot areas, ventilation is important, so many owners choose an open shelter with a roof or with only one or two sides. Three-sided options, some with windows to provide ventilation or a cross-breeze, are also available and can work even in warmer areas.
Consider the Wind and Weather
Make sure you place your shelter so that it not only shades your horse from the sun but from the wind and occasional rain as well. It's especially important in a hot, dry area to orient the shelter in such a way that some shade is available at all times as the sun moves across the sky. Try not to place your shelter near or under any trees or tall plants which could easily be blown over or have branches knocked down which could cause damage.
Make Sure the Shelter Is on Level Ground
To further benefit your horses, your shelter must be placed on level ground and that its interior surface is safe and stable to reduce injury. You also don't want your shelter area to get muddy, even if you only get an occasional rain, so choose a type of flooring that both drains easily but isn't slippery. Be aware that some surfaces, such as sand and soil, may need regular maintenance.
If you build and place your shelter correctly, then your horse will use it when he or she needs to. If you have multiple horses, then make sure there is plenty of space to accommodate all of them. While you can feed your horses in these shelters, many horse owners suggest setting up a separate feeding area instead to eliminate competition for the space. If you need a shelter for your horse, whether you live in a dry or wet area, then contact a horse shelter dealer like Rarin' To Go Corrals for more information.