April 9, 2003 -- Visitors at the 25th annual Hoosier Horse Fair and Expo in Indianapolis this month got a lesson in designing and building equine facilities at two free seminars presented by Brad Cook, project sales consultant for Indiana’s FBi Buildings Inc.

“Planning is your most important step,” he told those who packed two standing-room-only sessions that covered site evaluation, the permit process, air quality, lighting, design and budgeting. “It’s your project, your money and your lifetime goal,” he told those considering construction.

Pat Guest of Valparaiso was there to learn everything possible. “We’re interested in building a barn on our own land. We have a lot of different options, so we want to get ideas from the experts, people who are already on the block.”

Lessons from experience were exactly what Cook presented, citing the downfalls of shortcuts and the payoffs of planning.

One shortcut that is sure to be costly is skimming on drainage preparation, Cook said. “Once your building is too low, it will be too low forever, so check out drainage issues up front.” Weighing cost versus benefit is important, too, he said, noting one owner’s return on investment in using natural lighting to minimize ongoing utility costs.

Cook focused on specific recommendations, too, from advice on stall barn and arena clearances to common aisle and stall sizes. “What is the primary function of your building? Is it the health of your horses or the comfort of those working in it?” he asked those attending.

An important consideration is air quality, he said. “You need good ventilation--four to eight air changes per hour. Ventilation is controlled, planned-for air flow, not drafts,” he said. Years ago, cupolas handled that; now, they’re mostly decorative, and air handling is usually best achieved with vented side overhangs and continuous vented ridges at the peak.

That information was key for Jason Baird of Greencastle, who is planning to build a show barn for his 18 horses and attended the seminar to gain insights. “Learning about air flow and the condition of air for the animals was what I felt was the most important thing covered,” Baird said.

Rae Sharp of Martinsville, who had just built a facility, said he came to learn more. “There are always changes you can make or things you can add.”

Other tips Cook gave:

Consider your total costs up-front to make sure the project can be completed.


Meet with permitting officials early and in person, and learn about requirements for square footage, height, setbacks, site plan and zoning issues. “Don’t say, ‘I’m okay because my neighbor built this.’ That may not apply at this specific time for your specific property.”


Depending on the horses, consider using barred partitions in stalls for better air movement and animal socialization.


In the wash area, install a large, easy-to-maintain drain, and consider an outside wash area for summer months.


In designing your arena width, 54-feet is the minimum and 60-feet the most common. “Get the width you need. You can always add on to the length of the building later,” Cook said.


Finally, he said, “Choose a builder who’s more than an order-taker, someone who will go over options and add value. And make sure the builder pays attention to details. Is your agreement on a napkin or do you have a line-item list of everything that is or is not involved, and a written warranty?”.

Founded in 1958 and operating from offices in Remington and Indianapolis, Ind., and Frankfort, Ill., FBi Buildings regularly presents at equine events, including the Purdue/Indiana Horse Council’s Horsemen’s Conference, the Bi-state Illinois/Indiana Equine Seminar, Illinois Horse Fair and others. FBi has constructed more than 15,000 equine, agricultural, commercial, industrial and retail buildings in Indiana and Illinois. Its 290 employees include architects, engineers, construction professionals and support personnel.