Build a Loafing Shed – A Wise Investment

If you are a cattle raiser, then you know that your horses are your source of income. Making sure that they are in the pink of health is the only way that you can make a profit out of your investment. If your horses are subjected to harsh elements like snow, pouring rain and the blasting sun then it is not hard to predict their early demise. And as such you can now say goodbye to all your hard work and to your money.


Providing them with a shelter is the sure fire way of providing a guarantee that your horses will be protected and their health is assured. One way to do this is to provide a loafing shed for your farm. Basically, a loafing shed is a barn with three sides that is situated in a pasture. And because horses are typically strong and big, you can be sure that it will be subjected to great abuse. If you want your loafing shed to last a long time, you should make sure that they are given high quality construction standards. Also, in your designs and plans avoid building structures inside the shed that have sharp objects or edges where the horses can hurt themselves.

There are a number of considerations when it comes to the size and location of your loafing shed as well as the materials that should be used.

When it comes to the location, it is advisable that your loafing shed does not face the direction where prevailing winds come from. This will help in prolonging the life of your shed and it will keep the shed warm in cold weather. When a newborn livestock arrives, this warm weather is crucial to its survival. Another consideration when it comes to the location is an area where water does not pool. So choose a location on higher grounds.

For size consideration, this will vary depending on the size of the livestock that you plan to put inside the loafing shed. Horses are herd animals and typically gather together, so you need to put into account the size of your ponies when they grow bigger. But, if you live in an area were cold weather and harsh snowstorms are frequently experienced then you might want to consider investing in a barn instead.

For many livestock owners, wood is the preferred choice of building material. Lumber is very versatile and is easily customizable. With the right plan and design, a wooden loafing shed can be very durable. You have to make sure though that your roof is weather tested and is capable of enduring heavy weather conditions.

Even if you already have a barn, a loafing shed is still a good investment as this can be placed in the pasture where your horses graze. Or this can also be a place where you can put horses ready to give birth to keep them away from the herd and from potential danger.