Walking On Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2016 | Page 10

Back to Basics

Building a Loafing Shed: The Process of
Making a Wooden Shed for Horses
By Ted Forest
Horses need more protection from nature’s elements, and having a loafing shed can give them the
protection they need. Designs are easy to find and it is
just as easy to build with the right tools and materials.
Tools and Material Needed
• 4 - 12x4x4 posts
• 2x4 lumber pieces
• Siding
• Roofing nails
• Regular nails
• A hammer
• Concrete mix
• Bags of sand
Making the Foundation: Start by measuring the
spots for where the corner posts will go, the regular
size is 12x12 feet. Dig holes for the posts for the 4x4
pieces to 36” deep. Put the posts in the holes with
concrete and allow them to sit for 72 hours until the
concrete dries.
Building the Walls: Build the walls with the 2x4
pieces on three sides, starting around 4” from ground
level and up to the tops of the posts. Make sure that
you leave a small gap near or at the top of the shed for
ventilation purposes. Build a frame that is basic for
the roof by nailing 2x4’s from each corner post to each
other from all four of the sides. This will give you the
space you need to nail down the roof later on.
Constructing the Roof: The rear and front pieces
of the siding have to be nailed to the roof framework.
This can be done using regular nails. Make sure that
everything is leveled and secured properly. Lay down
the siding pieces using an overlapping method to
ensure that water will runoff without any problem.
Use the roofing nails to attach siding pieces together
to make the loafing shed’s roof more stable. The siding
material can be tin, corrugated metal, or plastic.
Making the Floor: Spread out your bags of sand 6”

deep, or more, over the floor inside the shed. One of
the things you should be looking out for while doing
this task is sharp edges or exposed nails. Since this is
being built for equine purposes you want to make sure
nothing is sticking out, so your horses are safe and
secure inside.
Additions to the Shed: Since these types of sheds
usually house horses and other animals, you can also
add hay hatches, double doors, windows, Dutch doors,
full enclosures, gates, etc.
Adding a Hay-Rack: This is the space that can be
used for hay or other animal feeds. It is kept off the
ground to avoid moisture. Installing one in your shed,
if you made it for equine or other animals, would be
the best option. Make your base by taking plywood
and laying out down, then drilling three holes that are
1-1/2 feet apart. Take 3 2x4’s and screw them into the
holes to form one side of the rack.
To make the other side, drill 3 more holes of the
same size and the same distance apart, but on the
opposite side. Screw 3 more 2x4’s into the holes, the
same way as the other side, to make the other side.
This will be the “backbone” of the rack and also your
base. Screw another 2x4 piece into the top of the others
and drill into the other two pieces that make the wider
space.
Leave the remaining end open and you’re now ready
to put your bale of hay inside. Your loafing shed is now
complete and ready for horses.
Read how one can create a backyard shed with minimal efforts. To catch a glimpse of complete resources
having step by step instructions, visit http://www.
shedplansz.com/loafing-shed-plans. If you plan to
build your private shed, then you will need a complete
set of shed building blueprints which will help you
throughout the building process. In the event that this
is your preliminary designing job you’ll desire a decent
collection of wooden storage shed plans to perform
your project.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ted_Forest/1173670