Horses need adequate shelter to protect them from adverse weather conditions throughout the year. Whether it is heavy rain, strong winds and snow during the winter months, or intense summer heat where shade becomes essential, providing suitable protection is vital for their health and welfare.
From this point on, regulations such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses (2017), under Section 9, require all horse owners to provide adequate shelter for their horses. In addition, other important factors should be considered, such as the size and layout of the shelter.
So, how do you know which shelter size is right for your horse? And what if you have more than one horse?
CHOOSING THE IDEAL SHELTER SIZE - KEY CONSIDERATIONS
When building a field shelter, several key factors should be taken into account, including its location within the field, ground preparation, the choice of construction materials, and the overall dimensions of the structure.
1. LOCATION
The shelter should be positioned on well-drained ground and protected from the prevailing winds. An east-facing entrance allows horses to benefit from the morning sun while providing shade during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Whenever possible, it is recommended to position the shelter on slightly elevated ground. Horses naturally prefer locations where they can observe their surroundings, helping them feel more secure and relaxed. Choosing a well-positioned field shelter will encourage your horses to use it more frequently, ensuring they benefit from its protection throughout the year.
2. GROUND
Ground conditions play an important role in keeping horses protected from adverse weather. Positioning the shelter on elevated ground helps rainwater drain away quickly during periods of heavy rainfall. However, over time, the weather can cause the ground around the shelter to become uneven or develop hollows, which should be filled to maintain a safe and stable surface.
If necessary, you can also stabilise the ground by installing concrete slabs. We also offer stabilisation slabs, which are ideal for muddy or sandy ground, providing a firm, durable surface for your horses all year round.
3. MATERIALS
The choice of materials will depend on the size and strength of your horse. For larger or more powerful horses, we recommend a structure with galvanised steel posts. Steel posts provide greater strength and durability, ensuring your field shelter remains robust and reliable for many years to come.Timber posts also offer excellent strength and durability. However, remember to protect the timber from horses’ natural tendency to chew it. As many horse owners know, untreated timber can quickly become a favourite target!
4. DIMENSIONS
For this reason, we recommend installing several field shelters whenever possible, allowing each horse to take shelter and feed comfortably without unnecessary competition.The size of your shelter will depend on the number of horses you intend to accommodate. The more horses you have, the larger the shelter should be. As a general rule, each horse should have a minimum of 9 m² (approx. 97 sq ft) of covered space to ensure adequate protection and comfort.
| Dimensions | 3 × 3 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 9 ft 10 in) | 3 × 4 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 13 ft 1 in) | 3 × 5 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 16 ft 5 in) | 3 × 6 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 19 ft 8 in) | 3 × 9 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 29 ft 6 in) | 3 × 12 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 39 ft 4 in) |
| Horses | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
Please note that these dimensions are provided as a general guide and should always be considered alongside thefactors outlined above.they are intended to indicate the minimum recommended space required per horse.
3. MATERIALS
The choice of materials will depend on the size and strength of your horse. For larger or more powerful horses, we recommend a structure with galvanised steel posts. Steel posts provide greater strength and durability, ensuring your field shelter remains robust and reliable for many years to come.Timber posts also offer excellent strength and durability. However, remember to protect the timber from horses’ natural tendency to chew it. As many horse owners know, untreated timber can quickly become a favourite target!4. DIMENSIONSHorses are large animals that require a spacious shelter. Naturally, every horse is different, and the amount of space each one needs will vary according to its size and build. When housing several horses together, it is also important to consider their temperament and social hierarchy. Dominant horses can sometimes prevent more submissive horses from accessing the shelter or forage if there is not enough space available.
For this reason, we recommend installing multiple field shelters whenever possible, allowing every horse to seek shelter comfortably and reducing competition within the group.The size of your shelter will depend on the number of horses you intend to accommodate. The more horses you have, the larger the shelter should be. As a general rule, each horse should have a minimum of 9 m² (approx. 97 sq ft) of covered space to ensure adequate protection and comfort.
| Dimensions | Horses |
| 3 × 3 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 9 ft 10 in) | 1 |
| 2 | |
| 3 × 5 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 16 ft 5 in) | 2 |
| 3 × 6 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 19 ft 8 in) | 3 |
| 3 × 9 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 29 ft 6 in) | 5 |
| 3 × 12 m (approx. 9 ft 10 in × 39 ft 4 in) 7 |
Please note that these dimensions are provided as a general guide and should always be considered alongside thefactors outlined above.they are intended to indicate the minimum recommended space required per horse.
