We would like to build a small horse barn ourselves, with one box and one standing stall for a pony and a small storage area. Our carpentry skills are basic so we're looking for plans which are simple and easy to use. Does anyone know where we could obtain these..or direct me somewhere on the Net to a source of free/inexpensive plans? Thanks!

-- Trish (Misty_Mare@Hotmail.com), February 18, 2000

Answers

Trish, try your local county extension office. They at least used to have a little booklet aimed at the 4H kids that had a simple barn in it.

Years ago I had a little barn made of poles covered with corragated steel. It was rectangular. [_/_/_] Not a good picture of it, but the left and right sides were box stalls, solid wood on the bottom, mesh on the top. The center section was a cross tie/manger area. It had two doors that swung open that opend the entire width of the center section. That was generally left open so the horse could come and go at will for shelter and hay. If we call the top of my picture the front of the barn, from the side that part of the roof was slightly higher sloping back down towards the underlines. The box stall doors were just inside the outer door. Nice little barn. One box stall was used for storage, the horse usually roamed in and out of the center section but could be put in the other box stall when needed. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), February 18, 2000.

Countryside magazine advertises a book that you may find helpful. It is "Building Small Barns, Sheds and Shelters", and is listed at $16.95. The author is Monte Burch. Although there are some plans for various structures, the biggest help might be in the section on general construction techniques. Good Luck!

-- bluetick (coonhound@mindspring.com), February 18, 2000.

Hi,

Try the following:

Storey Books - they sell all sorts of wonderful & interesting publications; also online at www.storeybooks.com

As for extension offices, try this link for starters

http://www.reeusda.gov/new/statepartners/usa.htm

This one links to every extension university in the US. I've found that just about all of the extension offices have some or all of their publications online. Available in either .html or .pdf format. Which means you can instantly look at something to see if it meets your needs. You will be amazed at what the different extension offices offer FREE. One rule I tend to follow is check the states that would seem most likely to have the info you are after. For instance, look in Florida for info on tropical plants, not in Vermont.

Best of luck.

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), February 25, 2000.