Written by Rocky Mountain Metal · Reviewed by Micah Hostetler, Owner · Based in Penrose, CO, serving Colorado.
A loafing shed is a three-sided shelter animals walk in and out of freely. Plan about 12×12 feet per horse and 40 to 50 square feet per cow, with the open side facing away from winter storms.
Key takeaways
- Three sides, one open, and deep enough that weather can't reach the back wall.
- About 12×12 per horse; 40 to 50 sq ft per head of cattle; more for pecking-order room.
- Face the opening away from the wind, commonly south or southeast in southern Colorado.
- A 12-foot depth is the minimum that actually shelters; deeper is better in open country.
- A steel-framed shed is engineered for your site's snow and wind loads.
What does a loafing shed do?
Animals on pasture need somewhere to get out of wind, driving snow, hail and summer sun. A loafing shed gives them that without confinement. It's an efficient way to shelter stock, and it's often the first building on a new acreage.
How big should a loafing shed be?
| Animals | Covered footprint |
|---|---|
| 1 horse | 12×12 |
| 2 horses | 12×24 |
| 3 horses | 12×36 |
| 4 horses | 12×48 or 24×24 |
| Small cattle group | 40 to 50 sq ft a head |
| Goats, sheep | 15 to 20 sq ft a head |
Go bigger when herd dynamics are rough, because a dominant animal will keep others out of a tight shed. Two smaller sheds or one long one with a partial divider solves it. Depth matters as much as length: a shallow shed lets wind-driven snow reach the back wall. Sixteen to twenty-four feet deep is worth it in open country.
Which way should the open side face?
Away from where the storms come from. Across the Arkansas Valley and the plains, winter weather usually arrives from the north and northwest. A south or southeast opening catches winter sun and stays out of the worst of it. Walk the site on a windy day before you commit. See how to prepare your site.
What height, roof and details work best?
- Height of 10 to 12 feet at the open side keeps heads clear and lets you drive a tractor in to clean.
- Roof slope running back to front, or a gable, with the drip line away from the entrance. Animals stand at the edge, and snow sliding off a metal roof lands right there. Snow retention over the opening is cheap insurance. See do I need to shovel snow off a metal roof?
- Kick boards lining the inside walls to horse height, installed after the steel shell is up, so hooves meet a liner instead of the steel siding.
- Floor of well-drained native ground or a raised gravel pad, never a low spot.
- Feed and water. A hay feeder under cover and a frost-free hydrant nearby save a lot of winter chores.
Why choose a steel-framed shed over a portable one?
Portable skid sheds are quick, but they're light, they need anchoring in plains and foothill wind, and many carry no engineered snow rating. A steel-framed loafing shed is a permanent building: the frame is engineered for your site's snow and wind loads and anchored to the foundation its drawings call for. Rocky Mountain Metal sells steel-framed buildings only, so that's the shed we'll plan with you. See are metal buildings good in snow and wind?
Do I need a permit?
Loafing sheds are classic agricultural buildings and often qualify for county ag exemptions on agricultural land, though setbacks still apply. Requirements vary by county, and we'll walk you through what yours requires. See do I qualify for an ag exemption?
Can I grow it later?
Usually. A steel shed can often be lengthened with matching frames, one end can be enclosed for tack or feed, or a lean-to can be added on the back. Plan the frame spacing with that in mind.
How do I get one planned?
We count heads with you during the site visit and pick the size and orientation. We order the building from 1st Choice Metal Buildings and Carports, the manufacturer's crew from Texas installs it, and Rocky Mountain Metal oversees the project. See agricultural buildings and our service area, then request a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Do horses need a loafing shed if they have trees?
Trees help with sun but do little against driving snow and wind. Most Colorado horse owners want a real shelter.
Can a loafing shed be closed in later?
Often, yes. Adding end walls and a door can turn it into a small barn. Plan the frame spacing and openings with that in mind.
How deep should it be?
Twelve feet minimum; sixteen to twenty-four is much better in exposed locations.
Does it need a concrete floor?
No. A well-drained gravel or native floor is preferred for animals, with the building anchored the way its engineered drawings specify. See how to prepare your site.
