SHELTER FOR HORSES IN WINTER (H21-1195CM)
Cindy A. McCall, Ph.D.
Extension Horse Specialist, Auburn University

Healthy horses can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, and they easily withstand the relatively mild winter conditions found throughout Alabama. A moderately fat horse with a full winter hair coat needs minimal shelter during Alabama winters because the horse's fat cover and hair coat trap body heat very effectively. The horse's natural inclination to turn its tail into the wind and stand with a humped back, head down posture during inclement weather further protects it by reducing the amount of body surface exposed to the weather. However, hard rain, wet snow or wind can lay down or disrupt the hair coat so that the horse loses body heat. Therefore it is important that horses have access to a wind break in their pasture or pen. A thick stand of woods, a ravine or the bottom of a steep hill can provide adequate windbreaks for horses. A run-in (open) shed can be built for horses without access to a natural windbreak.

Run-in sheds have several advantages over maintaining horses in stalls. A shed is less expensive to build and there is less danger of fire than with a barn. Horses can be group fed and managed reducing labor. And horses are generally healthier when kept outside. They have fewer respiratory and digestive problems, they receive more exercise and they have a better attitude. Disadvantages to maintaining horses in sheds are there is more risk of injury from other horses, diet and feed intake cannot be individually controlled and horses will have a heavier hair coat and look dirtier than horses in barns. However if the horse does not need any special care and is not being shown or prepared for sale, advantages of maintaining the horse on pasture outweigh the disadvantages.

Typically run-in sheds are three sided with the opening facing away from prevailing winds. In south Alabama the winter is mild enough that a shed can be open on three sides with only a solid back wall. Sheds should be constructed in a well-drained area. The entrance to the shed should be at least 12 feet high and wide enough so that all the horses can run out of the shed safely. Minimum interior height of the shed should be 9 feet. In cold climates, three sided sheds should be at least 20 feet deep to provide shelter from weather extremes. Approximately 75 square feet of space per horse is recommended for compatible horses.