Author: Lisa Smith
When it comes to looking after your horses, you want to make sure they are safe, comfortable, and protected from the elements. Portable horse shelters and stables are becoming increasingly popular as a solution, because they can be moved around as needed.
In this article, we explore the benefits of relocatable horse sheds and stables, and why Outpost horse shelters are a great option for those looking for a durable and versatile solution.
Can a horse live outside without shelter?
Before we get into the benefits, it’s worth asking why shelter is so important. As you’ll see below, there are an enormous number of reasons horses need shelter, but keeping them healthy is a critical one. Livestock that are constantly exposed to the elements are much more likely to develop health issues.
Because of this, domestic horse owners are legally required to provide some shelter for them. You can find out more about the Government’s Animal Codes of Welfare here.
What are the benefits of portable horse shelters & stables?
There are a number of advantages to a portable horse shelter that might not be immediately apparent. These include the following benefits:
- Flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of a portable structure is that you can move it as your needs change. This might include if the layout of your paddock needs to change, or if you’re moving horses from one paddock to another.
- Affordability: Portable horse shelters can be much less of an investment than a brand-new structure, depending on the size of the shelter you’re looking for. There are often extra costs associated with permanent horse barns, such as needing building consents applied for, and so on. Larger, custom designs tend to be a decent investment whether they are portable or permanent.
- No building consents required: Acquiring permission for building a new structure can be a bit of an arduous process, and the application fees can be steep too. There are always regulations you need to be aware of when applying to build, but with portable kitset structures, you’re more likely not to need to worry about it.
- Maintenance: A lot of work goes into keeping a full stable in good condition. Portable shelters are much less intensive when it comes to cleaning, especially as the horse won’t be confined to it for longer stretches of time. They’re typically smaller and use less abrasive materials which need looking after, so they’re easier to keep clean with minimal effort.
- Freedom of movement: Stables with small pens can be quite restrictive for horses when they are placed there for long periods of time. Many of the portable shelters you can invest in are designed to allow the animals to enter and exit as they like. This is ideal for horses that you want to allow a bit more freedom to roam, giving them somewhere to avoid the elements while still allowing them freedom of movement.
- Robust and strong: Many people would guess that a portable shelter requires more upkeep than a full barn, or that they’re more prone to damage. This isn’t the case—all shelters need to be built to properly withstand the elements, otherwise, there isn’t much point to them.
- Healthier horses: Portable shelters are also great for the horses. It’s obvious that keeping your horses safe from extreme temperatures is important, and that portable shelters offer an efficient and economical way to help protect them from the elements, but there are some other advantages to be aware of too.
- Fewer vet bills: Shelters of any kind are a great way to cut down on your vet bills—keeping horses healthier means less health issues are likely to develop. The shelter will mitigate their exposure to things that could irritate the respiratory system, like pollen, and exposure to pests or parasites. You can also use a shelter to ensure they’ve always got access to fresh, clean water, and access to food you may want to supplement your horse's diet with.
- Better protection for equipment: A shelter doesn’t just need to be for the horses either, you can use it to store all sorts of equipment too (as long as it doesn’t pose any safety risks for the animals).
- Better fire safety: Smaller structures tend to be less of a fire hazard, and if the worst should occur, your horse will be able to leave easily—which isn’t always the case for a larger barn. Portable shelters also don’t typically have any power, so a fire is much less likely to begin with.
What is the best shelter for a horse?
Overall, while a permanent barn or stable is the ideal solution when you have a lot of horses that need to be looked after, a smaller portable horse shed will deliver a wide range of benefits, and at an affordable cost.
Outpost horse shelters stand out for their strong design and timber construction and we don’t sacrifice durability or longevity, making them an excellent choice and value. No matter what your requirements, we have a wide range of horse shelters in varying sizes and in both portable and permanent designs.
If you're looking for the best horse shelters and stables in New Zealand, Outpost has a solution.
Talk to us today about what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you get the perfect portable shelter for your equine friends.
