One trend on many farms recently has been to go for portable shelters instead of permanent buildings. This often means that equipment and harvests, such as hay or grains, are stored in a large enclosed canopy shelter. In fact, such buildings are as effective as barns and silos for such storing purposes. Storage on the farm doesn’t end with equipment and hay, however. Animals, too, can receive shelter through these portable buildings. One popular building used is a run in shed for horses and other livestock. These can be set up anywhere animals graze to provide shade during the day.

The composition of run in sheds is similar to that of most portable buildings, with a galvanized steel frame and a polyethylene canopy. The canopy, in particular, is treated to be UV resistant and waterproof, as well as mildew, mold, and rot resistant. The set up for horse run in sheds is important, as the shelter needs to be anchored into the ground for it to protect the animals properly. This can be done through metal anchors or setting the legs of the shelter in concrete. Once in place, run in sheds can be used as a temporary stable and a place to store hay near a pasture.

The most common use for run in sheds around a farm is for horses. Horses can go in and out of the shed during the day, using the shelter for shade. Other livestock, such as cattle, can use these shelters for similar purposes. In some cases, run in sheds become permanent shelter for animals kept outdoors. While this is perfectly fine, a shelter should be modified to include a gate to keep the animals in at night. The area around the shelter, additionally, should have a water and food source for the animals.