Ark shaped field shelters - good or dangerous?

[Caroline]

I am giving thought to getting a field shelter - as general shelter for my 3 horses and as a place to shut my old mare in to have her dinner each day. I saw this ans wondered if it is a good idea?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Horse-Arc-Field-Shelter-Pony-Equestrian-goat-donkey-/321857684588?hash=item4af036846c

I am wondering whether the ark shaped walls are better or worse than straight walls for casting? And are horses likely to fight in there? Would it be better to get one that is completely open both ends or have 2 half-walls on the ends?

Any experience or thoughts would be much appreciated!

[Deleted]

Depending how tall the horses are I would consider whether they'd actually be able to use all of it, I would think bigger horses might be inclined to only use the middle where there is more head room.

If choosing a shelter the size of the one in the advert (3.6m x 3m in floor plan), if it were for 3 to share I would have it open both ends to give them the most opportunity to share it.

[starbuck]

Like Michellep I'd be cautious of the head height, it also doesn't give any head height measurements. At 3m (10') wide if you lose a lot of that because of the arc, given that it starts curving in almost at ground level, it doesn't leave that much room. At 12'x10' I don't think it's that generous for 3 horses, my 14.2 and Shetland share their 12'x12' happily with plenty of space and there would just of room for one more if they all got on. With that design you also don't have the option of an overhang, we went for a shelter with a 4' overhang and they spend a lot of time under that.

[portiabuzz]

I can see goats being happy to use it but not horses

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[clipclop]

If you're worried about horses fighting, I would go for the bigger rather than smaller. Unless they are ponies who get on very well, I would allow 12x10 worth of space per horse and either open fronted (with overhang to help keep weather out) or more than one doorway (min 4' wide).

Likewise, if getting cast is a concern, the bigger the shelter, the less likely they are to get cast by a wall.

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