Horse Paddock Shelters
Our relocatable paddock shelters are a great choice for anyone who wants to provide tough, durable shelter for their horses.
Made from sustainably sourced and grown New Zealand timber.
What is a paddock shelter?
Paddock shelters, also known as ‘run-in sheds’ or paddock stables, are structures designed to protect your horses, your equipment, and their feed from the weather and temperature extremes, usually placed near or in a paddock. They typically feature an open-front design (i.e. three walls and a roof), allowing for the horses to enter and leave when they want to.
All Outpost paddock shelters are designed with New Zealand conditions in mind, constructed from locally sourced materials, including sustainable NZ pine. This makes them tough, durable, and still light enough to remain relocatable - a great option for those who want to be able to shift the shelter as well as the pasture.
We’ve also designed our kitset paddock shelters to be customisable, with the option of adding timber gates and rails to instantly turn them into holding stalls - you can also choose what colour you want it with a wide range of Colorsteel options available.
The benefits of a paddock shelter
Our paddock shelters provide comfort and safety for your horses when they need it.
Weather
Depending on where you live, you may experience frequent rain, high winds, dangerous hail, possibly even snow. An Outpost paddock shelter offers protection from the elements, keeping your horses safe and comfortable.
Heat
A summer day in New Zealand can hit as high or higher than 30 degrees Celsius - well above the comfortable range for horses. Get them out of the sunshine and into the shade with a paddock shelter.
Insects
Horses prefer paddock shelters with the three walls and a roof design, and for good reason - they’ve been shown to reduce insect pressure compared to other designs, meaning fewer irritating bites for your horses.
Safety
Horses feel safer in shelters, particularly if they are used to stabling. Shelters provide psychological comfort as well as physical, meaning fewer arguments and bullying among your animals, and generally happier horses.
And because Outpost Buildings products are all kitsets, all it takes is a weekend of construction (and some willing helpers!) to put them up - no expensive building labour required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are our paddock shelters made from?
All Outpost paddock shelters are designed by Kiwis, for Kiwis, from Kiwi-sourced materials and fixtures. This includes sustainable New Zealand pine.
This makes all of our shelters some of the toughest and most durable on the market, able to take the knocks that are a typical part of everyday horse-owning life, as well as the worst that New Zealand weather has to offer.
We choose to support local Kiwi businesses not just because we’re proud New Zealanders, but because we want your paddock shelter to have the highest quality possible, and to be designed with New Zealand conditions in mind.
+ Strong, treated timber framing
+ ZINCALUME or Colorsteel corrugated iron roofing
+ Solid plywood kickboards
+ Galvanised fittings and fixings
When you buy Outpost, you buy New Zealand made.
What size paddock shelter do I need?
The size of your paddock shelter will depend on the size and number of your horses.
We provide horse shelters of various sizes to accommodate every height and shape of horse, from miniature to draft.
For two horses of 15 hands to 17 hands, we recommend a shelter that is 3.5m x 5.8m.
If you have horses of 14.3h and less, a shelter that is 2.5m x 3.5m would be suitable for one, and 2.5m x 4.8m for two.
As a rule of thumb, experts advise at least 3m x 3.5m for one horse and 3.5m x 4.8m for two.
With an open front, a shelter this size will allow two horses to come and go comfortably and provide sufficient room for both to stand inside with no one getting trapped in the back. A 2.5m high roof will leave space for them to rear and play.
Where should I put my paddock shelter?
There are several considerations when deciding where to put your paddock shelter:
Convenience. Paddock shelters are easier to maintain when they aren’t at the top of a steep hill, so keeping them close to your home is a good option. However, be careful that they aren’t so close that flies, dust and smells sneak into your home.
Access. Choose a site that has easy access not just by foot or by hoof, but by vehicle as well. You may need to get a vet out to your horses if they get sick, and the paddock shelter makes for a great place to treat them.
Soil. Avoid placing your paddock shelter on terrain that gets muddy. Gravelly ground is a good place to start - both naturally gravelly or artificially placed gravel works well.
Terrain angle. Outpost paddock shelters don’t need to be placed on precisely level ground, as they don’t have concrete foundations. However, you shouldn’t place on too steep an angle either, as otherwise your shelter may shift during high winds. Use a wind anchor for maximum peace of mind.
Elevation. Slightly higher ground is a good choice, so that water will drain away from the shelter rather than into it. Slightly sloping sites (but not too much, see previous point!) also work well.
Prevailing winds. Position your paddock shelter away from typical weather patterns - learn which way the wind is blowing and avoid pointing the open end of your shelter into it.
A few things to consider, and not every site will tick all those boxes.
But here’s the best thing about portable paddock shelters - if the location doesn’t work any more, you can simply tow it with your 4WD elsewhere. Simple as!
Whatever your budget, get in touch with us and we’re sure we can find a suitable solution to suit your needs.