Like houses, horse stables in PA come in various shapes, sizes, and styles. From backyard barns to high-dollar equestrian centers, horse stables are as varied as the wonderful creatures they house. Let’s take a look at some of the types of stables that can be found in rural Pennsylvania.
One of the most classic styles is the historic bank barn. These buildings are literally built into a hillside, and as a result they stay nice and cool in the summertime. The unique construction of a bank barn also allows two points of entry, with both stories of the barn accessible at “ground level”. Commonly, the lower area of the barn is used for housing animals, while the second level is used for storage of hay, feed, and equipment. The bank barn style is traditional, beautiful, and functional.
A very popular style of horse stable in PA is the classic center-aisle barn. With box stalls on each side and storage for tack and feed, center-aisle stables are efficient and easy to maintain, and excellent airflow through the aisle way keeps the atmosphere healthy for horses and humans alike. Center-aisle barns can be as plain or as extravagant as one would like, and are most often constructed from wood, metal, or cinder block. Barns can have lofts for storage, or forego the loft for a simpler design.
The most simple type of horse stable you’ll find in Pennsylvania is the shedrow barn. Best for small acreage, a shedrow barn consists of a few box stalls attached together, sometimes with an overhanging roof to provide a dry ‘barnyard’ area.
Horse stables in PA can also get quite elaborate! Builders can enhance these three basic designs and include indoor riding arenas, apartments, extra storage, lounges, locker rooms, wash stalls, areas for extra storage, and just about anything imaginable.
Flooring in horse stables also runs the gamut from humble to luxurious. The most basic of barns have dirt floors, sometimes covered with sawdust or wood shavings to help keep things clean. Another popular flooring material is packed stone dust, which is low-dust, economical, and easy to keep clean with a rake. If these ‘natural’ floors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options! Concrete floors are inexpensive and durable, but must be textured or covered with rubber mats to prevent horses slipping. More expensive, but beautiful, options for stable floors are bricks or rubber pavers. Both are durable, easy to clean, and add a sense of class to a barn.
Horse stables in Pennsylvania can suit any taste and budget. Whether they house show horses or backyard pets, these beautiful barns are sure to fit every equestrian need.
PA horse stables, horse stables in PA