The use of a run-in shed is a good horse care practice. The shed provides shelter from inclement weather, whether hot or cold. However, in many situations, you will see horses not using the shelter despite weather conditions that you think would require the horse to be sheltered. Often horses seek shelter only from a cold wind.

The size a shed needs to be will vary, but a guideline is the following: 12-16 feet deep, 20 feet long, and 9 ft high at the back and 10-12 feet high at the front. The eaves should be left open to allow for air movement, and the shed should face away from the prevailing wind. Inside the shed, you want a minimum of 100 square feet of space per horse. Leave the front of the shed open for easy access. Do not put feeders in the shed as this may cause problems with the horses in that field. Ensure that the landscape is such that water will drain away from the shed. The shed should be constructed of durable material. A common material in Kentucky is oak. It is important to note that despite the availability of the shed, many horses will not use it, preferring to stay outside. We would recommend having a shed available even for those horses that spend only part of the day turned out and go into the barn for the remainder of the day.