Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Timber frame horse shelter?

I would like to build a basic shelter for our two horses. Most designs I've seen are for a pole structure (treated posts in ground) and a shed roof. We would prefer a gable/peaked roof traditional timber frame instead of a shed roof pole structure.

I'm thinking about something like a Sobon 12x16 garden shed, except I would need to scale it up, or a pavilion type structure with a lower pitched roof. I don't really need a loft or overhead storage for this shelter.

I've seen some nice looking pavilions, some with queen posts above the tie beam and purlin plates supporting the rafters and others with a single ridge beam supported by short posts to the tie beams.

Any suggestions?

Some stuff in the 14 Frames book on the TFG bookstore.
http://tfguild.stores.yahoo.net/tifrguplbo.html

What size radius does a horse need for a stall? No sharp corners for posts?

Where are you located?

If they like to chew those sharp corners won't last long anyway. I have heard they don't like the taste of hemlock.

More important would be to cut all pegs nearly flush even those up high.

Is this a walk in shelter? Open sides or maybe 3 sides closed for wind protection?

I almost built a simple H-bent frame, 2 bents, 16'x16', top plates and common rafters, like the Sobon shed but with out all the girts. Very simple and straight to the point. You would even have a little space above for who knows what, why waste it. Just lay some slabbed 2 sides poles on top of the ties for joist, no layout or joints. But I never got around tuit, and the old horse is gone to a new home with more horses.

A 10'x10' box stall is typical, would depend on the size of the horse.

Good Stuff. No horse likes a peg in the rump.

bmike: I have several timber framing books and a few guild publications, but not the one you suggested. Thanks for the link, I will see about adding this one to my collection.

mo: typical horse stalls are 10x10 to 12x12. I'm located in East TN.

TIMBEAL: I was planning on white oak for the frame, but we do have hemlock here. Yes, this would be a walk in pasture shelter, primarily to provide protection from rain in the winter, and also a little bit of wind protection. A couple of H bents, top plates, and some common rafters just might be the way to go.

I built two of these last year for a local horse farm.
Here are some pictures. They are 12x12 and made from 6x6/6x8 White Ash timbers.

Thane - those are handsome. Well done.

Thane - those are handsome. Well done.

Thanks Mike. Another thing they liked about these sheds was the fact they can be moved to a new location if needed.