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Todays guest blog comes from Todd Gillman, content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
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Horses are incredible creatures, both intelligent and built for both work and athletics; they offer a lot to everyone who includes them in their life. Unfortunately, many aren't sure about the best way to house and care for these beautiful animals.
There's a lot to keep in mind when planning an equestrian barn, from the importance of creating a safe and clean environment to offering enough enrichment space and comfort. These are innovative materials that will help make that planning far easier!
Mud Control Grids
Mud is an eventuality for any farm or equestrian space. From feeders and waterers to laneways and other heavy-use spaces on your farm: you'll quickly notice that mud happens, and there's no foolproof way to avoid it. Instead of allowing your horses to continuously stand and get stuck in the mud, which can lead to bacterial growth and health issues, mud control grids offer a solution. Movable and able to be laid by hand directly on mud with minimal prep work, these grids give you the chance to keep your equestrian barns and surrounding heavy traffic areas mud-free.
Fire Resistant Roofing
Equestrian barns require open spaces and are generally on farms that may have a lot of trees or grasslands around them. Unfortunately, wildfires have been growing more and more out of control lately in many areas, so it's vital that every farm owner plans with fire safety in mind. One of the best materials you can invest in for your equestrian barn is fire-resistant roofing materials. These roofing materials will help protect your barn if stray branches that are on fire come in contact with it. Although you should still evacuate your animals when possible, this can help ensure you have a property to come back to when the fire passes.
Paddock Slabs
If you want to be Earth-friendly while helping your animals stay safe and comfortable, consider investing in recycled paddock slabs. Often made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, paddock slabs provide a great base that keeps your footing in place and protects anything from paddocks and runs to the stalls your horses may stay in. They are strong enough to withstand the weight of a tractor-trailer or even an emergency vehicle if needed.
Sanitary Drains
If water does build in portions of your property: it’s a good idea to give it somewhere to go. Sanitary drains can guide water down and away from your animals, ensuring that there's no buildup of bacteria or risky materials. As important as cleaning their stalls is, it's also vital that you create a space that doesn't allow for the build-up of moisture and bacteria. Sanitary drains keep your animals safe while also saving you some of the trouble that comes with constantly cleaning.
Composting Options
Composting is an incredible way to ensure the waste that comes from your animals doesn't go to waste! Composting plans can break down horse manure and allow it to be used or sold for fertilizing soil for better growing seasons. If you don't currently grow anything on your farm, this is a very valuable product you can sell that will ensure you make a little more money to help support your animals while also getting the waste off off your property. This is a solution that can help many equestrian barn owners.
High-Quality Steel Siding
The better siding your barn has, the longer it will last and the stronger it will be. If you can invest in high-quality steel siding, it’s a good idea to do so. This type of siding can handle weather fluctuations, from hot to freezing, and can stop moisture, storm debris, and many other things from getting into your barn.
While investing in good siding, ensure that your barn is also properly insulated and ventilated, especially if you live in a climate that gets the best out of every season. This will keep your animals comfortable and will help stop moisture from getting into the equestrian barn. Keep in mind that for optimal horse health, you don’t want the barn’s inside temperature to be more than 10 degrees (F) different than the outside temperature.
Arena and Dry Lot Edging
Edging can ensure that your horses stick to the areas they need to be in while you're working with them or they're being ridden. Seek out edging made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Not only is it rot-proof and splinter-free, but it will far outlast wood edging. This will protect your footing investment and give your property a more attractive look than it would have otherwise.
Seek your edging out from a company you can trust since this is something your animals will be walking or running on, and it's a good idea that it's high quality to protect their hooves. The better the quality, the better on them it'll be.
Equestrian Barns Should Be Carefully Planned
A lot can go wrong if you put your horses in a poorly planned barn. Instead, consider investing in your animals and creating a space that will enrich their lives and keep them healthy and happy.
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