| to Look for When Buying a Farm | | | | is gone. |
| If you are looking to buy a farm there is a good | | | | Where Will Your Horse Stay? |
| chance that you have seen many old-style bank barns. | | | | Many old bank barns were built with animals other than |
| Some are in excellent shape, others are barely | | | | horses in mind. Some will have cattle stanchions, while |
| standing. When your goal is to keep horses in that | | | | others will have stalls that are too large or too small |
| barn, it is important that you know what to look for. | | | | for the average horse. Consider that you may need to |
| Going in the Door | | | | tear out what is currently in the barn, and replace it |
| When looking at a bank barn, you need to start from | | | | with stalls that are better suited to your animals. |
| the first place you go in, the door. Many bank barns | | | | A Solid Foundation |
| have only small doorways, better suited to small | | | | As the years pass, bank barns sometimes lose |
| animals like goats or sheep. When considering a barn | | | | stability. The old stone walls begin to lean or sag. |
| for equine use, you need to make sure that the main | | | | Sometimes the damage is minor and will last many |
| doorway is at least 4’ wide. The doorframes | | | | years before needing repair. Other times the damage |
| should be high enough that a horse can easily pass | | | | is such that the wall may collapse without warning. If |
| under it without having to drop its head excessively. | | | | you plan to use the barn for any length of time, it is |
| There should be at least two entrances, one for | | | | essential to choose a barn that has a solid foundation. |
| regular use, and one in case of emergency. Once you | | | | If there is some degree of damage, it is worth having |
| pass through the doorway there needs to be | | | | an expert assess it so you know how much it would |
| adequate space for the horse to enter safely, and | | | | cost to repair. |
| move into the aisle to get to his stall. | | | | Above the Head |
| Check the Ceiling | | | | Finally, you need to investigate the hay loft. Check that |
| Far too many horses have been hurt or killed by hitting | | | | the ladder or stairwell to the loft is solid and secure. |
| their heads on a too low ceiling. Many old bank barns | | | | The loft itself should have strong floorboards that can |
| have low ceilings that are not suited to horses. Others | | | | support your hay without risk of breaking. While most |
| have a decent ceiling, but have beams that drop | | | | bank barns will have some loose boards, there should |
| excessively low. You need at least a 7’ ceiling | | | | not be excessive gaps in the sides of the loft. If you |
| in a barn, preferably 8’ or more. That gives the | | | | plan to store hay up there it is important that it be |
| horses plenty of head room and decreases the risk of | | | | protected from the elements. |
| injury to the poll. | | | | Don’t Settle |
| Look at the Floor | | | | The barn is your horse’s safe haven in times |
| Many bank barns have cement floors. This isn’t | | | | of foul weather. It is essential that the barn not only be |
| too bad if the floor is even, but often it consists of | | | | comfortable, but also that it is safe and secure. It is not |
| many raised sections, and even places with no | | | | worth compromising on the structure of a barn just to |
| cement at all. These irregular floors are not safe for | | | | get a deal on a property. The costs of repair and |
| horses. You will need to break out the cement so that | | | | maintenance will quickly outstrip the savings you get on |
| the floor is level throughout the barn. This is a lot of | | | | the sale price. |
| work, and involves laying a new floor once the cement | | | | |