Portable shelters fulfill various needs on farms. When equipment needs storage, for example, a larger portable garage can house a tractor or similar vehicle. When a crop needs storage, such as hay, portable sheds are ideal for preventing rot and keeping out moisture. Run-in sheds are also portable structures commonly seen on a farm. As livestock, such as horses and cattle, need shade during the day, run-in sheds can be set up outdoors for this use.
Run-in sheds have a curved design and an open front and back. The shelter is constructed from a galvanized steel frame and a polyethylene canopy. The canopy is treated to be waterproof and UV resistant, in addition to being rot, mildew, and mold resistant. The shelter can be set up anywhere animals will be outdoors.
If you plan to use run-in sheds for temporary uses only, the shelters need to be equipped with hay and water for the animals. Run-in sheds, however, can be used for permanent shelter for horses and cattle. While the shelter needs to be set into the ground with concrete, it could also be modified to contain the animals. In this case, gates need to be installed on both sides of the shelter to keep the animals in at night.
In addition to modifications to the shelter, the area around the run-in shed needs to accommodate the needs of the animals. Hay should be added to the shelter and a water source needs to be inside and outside.
Like all types of portable shelters, run-in sheds come in several sizes. If you only need to shade a few horses outdoors, a 12x20x8 cubic foot shelter should be more than enough room for them. If you're planning to use the shed like a stable for several animals outdoors, a larger size would provide better coverage for the animals. Gates for the shelter need to be purchased separately.
