Barn Opinions?

[FahrendorfFarms]

Im looking for a multi-purpose barn, what is everyones opinion on clear span fabric structures? Im looking to use it for horses, goats, hay and a partial riding arena. any thoughts.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would get something as sturdy and as big as you can possibly afford. I don't know anything about the fabric barns. You want to make sure it will hold up well for any type of weather including lots of sun.

 

[secuono]

The horse farm up the road from me has one, it's been up at least 4 years and I think it did fine with the 1ft of snow we had the other year.
Keep all trees and anything that can blow onto it far away and tied down, though.

I can see if I can get their number so you can call and ask them how theirs is doing and if they have been giving it special care. I've never seen one before I moved here, so they seem quite rare.
I personally, would never attempt to have one.

 

[Bossroo]

Please think this through at least twice, then at least once again... If one was to have the nerve to construct a fabric one for use to house and ride horses... make sure that you have a heafty life, health, accident, and liability insurance policies in full force as the wonders of flapping/ ripping fabric from balmy breezes/gale will trigger an unhappy dance to places unknown from the equine. If one may wonder ... in sunny Cal., I had an all steel barn take a flying lesson during a sudden very windy rain gullygusher of a thunderstorm, but crash landed in the neighbor's field 50 yards away and my horses had a nice romp for over a mile down a highway. Thankfully, the horses didn't cause an accident.

 

[kstaven]

I couldn't agree more.

 

[goodhors]

You really don't want to house animals, particularly horses, in the same building as your riding arena.
The dust raised riding, gets into the air, causing breathing problems, heaves, allergies.

This one building, multipurpose use, stalls facing the arena, was very common locally in the past.
Those folks had LOTS of horses develop problems, lost the use of them. Various products
spread to "hold down the dirt", including water, chloride, manure bedding with sawdust, rubber,
help a bit. However they then later break into tiny particles that can also get up in the air for YOU
and equines to breathe in, irritate the lungs. Pneumonia is common in those ring users and their
equines. Not sure what adding other animals to the mix of manures would do for the air quality.

You need an arena wall that is sealed to prevent getting dust thru, into other sections of the barn. This is
why you now see the common indoor arena, with a wing off one corner for the stabling. Door between
prevents dust getting thru for horses to breathe in. NO spreading manure or used bedding in the
arena. Arena is PICKED OUT DAILY, if horses poop in there, so manure can't dry and break down to get
into your air as dust. Other products mixed with the sand can help keep the dust down, but they are
not "natural or organic" products that will return to dust as they dry up.

Sorry, you will want to rethink your barn layout. No one around here does that one-barn for all,
kind of design anymore. Too hard on your health, even if it appears cheaper to build.

We had some fabric structures fail in the terrible winds the last couple years. Not all the same maker.
Check with insurance company on them, also what the guarantee is about fixing them from the maker.
They are popular with the cattle, dairy folks. Maybe they depreciate them, so it is a business expense.
Every area is different, how the wind will hit the barn with strength. Morton Buildings does an EXCELLENT
warrenty on their construction and steel. Covers the lifetime if I remember. They will send a crew to
build your barn. Extremely good reputation, nationwide. Can build whatever you want, in any color!
They are not cheap, but they do stand behind their work.

 

[FahrendorfFarms]

Thanks for the opinions, dont have 40,000 to drop on a free span metal barn. Dont know what Im gonna do but thanks.