We just bought 3 acres and would like to build a pole barn ourselves. Do you have any good websites or books that would give us some good ideas? We don't want a very big barn maybe just 4 stalls with turn out, tack room and shop like area.

Hey! How fun to "meet" someone else who is going to build a barn! I can't wait to see if you get any replies. I have a friend who is an architect, and he offered to lend a hand in drawing up some specs. Right now, we are in the "wish" phase. Next phase will be the reality one.

We are in the wish phase, too. We need to save up a little more money. Plus we haven't figured out where we are going to put it. That's seems to be the hard part right now. Our property is very hilly. I wish someone would just come tell me where to put it and have a really good logical explanation why the barn should go there. lol

If you are looking for just basic plans are serious about trying it your self I would say

Rodeobarns.com

Check them out and see what you think.

Boy do I know what you are talking about as far as wishing someone would come in and tell you where to put it!. We have property with nothing else on it - what a job it was to determine where the barn should be . . I wore out my husband, excavator and girlfriend with questions and uncertainty. There is sooo much to take into consideration: Do you have a home on the property already? Do you want to see the paddock area from your house? Will you have boarders (which means you might want it a little farther from the house for privacy), Do you live in an area where you are trying to catch the summer breeze and block the winter wind? One thing I know, do not put it at the bottom of a valley or hill if you have snow in the winter. My barn is finally going up and I am happy with where it is and the position of it . . but it took me months of trying to figure out, OK where do I want the pastures, paddocks, do I want to see the horses in the pasture from the house, how far do I want to walk from the house to the barn - I empathize with you to the max!

Boy do I know what you are talking about as far as wishing someone would come in and tell you where to put it!. We have property with nothing else on it - what a job it was to determine where the barn should be . . I wore out my husband, excavator and girlfriend with questions and uncertainty. There is sooo much to take into consideration: Do you have a home on the property already? Do you want to see the paddock area from your house? Will you have boarders (which means you might want it a little farther from the house for privacy), Do you live in an area where you are trying to catch the summer breeze and block the winter wind? One thing I know, do not put it at the bottom of a valley or hill if you have snow in the winter. My barn is finally going up and I am happy with where it is and the position of it . . but it took me months of trying to figure out, OK where do I want the pastures, paddocks, do I want to see the horses in the pasture from the house, how far do I want to walk from the house to the barn - I empathize with you to the max!

Our property is hilly so we are not sure if we want to take off the top of one hill to put the barn. It would still have good run off but what about the wind and cold. Most people around here put their runs and loafing sheds facing the south but this winter we had 3 back to back blizzards and all the snow piled up on the south side of the buildings. Maybe we should face it south east or north east. I just don't know. It's a dilemma. Maybe it will just come to me one day and I'll say "That's it, that wil be perfect". lol

We live in the very warm and humid South. So, we will take into consideration what direction the barn faces to reduce the glaring afternoon sun and take advantage of the breezes coming in from the ocean (we live around 25 miles from the ocean but still get great breezes) I want to be able to look out and see the paddock. I would go out too often to check on things, otherwise.
We also get a *ton* of rain, so drainage will be a major issues to consider.

I think I have a general idea of where I want the barn. I do want to be able to see it from the house. Now how am I going to put the drive? And where is the round pen going?