#BarnLife Contest Winner

“We won! We won!” screamed an ecstatic Sandy Lynch repeatedly after hearing the phone message that she had just won a Lester Buildings barn valued at more than $30,000. Never in her wildest dreams did she think it could happen. Who would?

Sandy, who lives in Nicholson, Georgia, was chosen as the grand prize winner in an online contest co-sponsored this past winter by Lester Buildings. Her touching two-minute video about her animal-loving husband, Bill, and his menagerie of abandoned horses and unwanted donkeys won voters’ hearts.

“We always talked about building a barn, but we couldn’t do it financially. It was always in the future,” shared Sandy. But, she explained, the three lean-tos that sheltered their four-legged friends were causing health problems, like thrush and white line disease, especially after last summer’s storms. The couple has begun working with their local Lester dealer, Eddie Lanham of Jordan Building Construction, on the solution.

Lester Dealer Delivers Expertise

“We knew we wanted something similar to the barn in the contest photo, but with some changes,” Sandy said. The design had to accommodate Bill’s specific safety concerns. As a child, his family’s barn burned to the ground and animals were lost. He was adamant about having exits at opposite ends of the barn and minimal onsite hay and feed storage.

The couple began by listing everything they wanted and then relied on Eddie’s expertise. They met on site at a Lester horse barn Eddie’s company had recently completed, to see a finished product. Then they met at the Lynch home. Together, they choose the best functional site, size, number and types of stalls, doors and exterior features. After exchanging emailed photos and computer drawings (“with just a click of a button” according to Sandy), the couple settled on their dream barn.

The Final Design

The Lynch’s were willing to pay more than the contest’s allowance and doubled the barn size. When completed in late August, they will have 36-foot by 48-foot by 10-foot structure with a 6-foot-deep overhang porch. Sandy says they’re doing their best to think from the perspective of the horses and donkeys. “They won’t be used to being indoors, and we want them to be comfortable with the transition and not feel isolated.” 

They’ve opted for six 12-foot by 12-foot stalls, center aisle, open stall doors, and lower stall dividers so the horses can see each other. An insulated ceiling will reduce overhead noise. Other features include stylish split dutch doors, a double sliding door on each end, cupola and traditional colors.

“We were in total agreement with the final plans,” Eddie said. “Their Lester barn is going to add tremendous lasting value to their property.” He added that Sandy and Bill have been “extremely delightful” to work with.  He’s looking forward to building them a quality, customized structure that will last through generations.

Future Plans:  The More the Merrier

Since winning the contest, the Lynch’s have added two more foster donkeys (their rescues come from the Georgia Equine Rescue League). Eventually, they hope to be a revolving door, rehabilitating some of the animals and adopting them out. Until then, they’ll stay plenty busy with their existing brood, which includes two kids, two dogs, geese, chickens, a rooster and a cockatiel.

Watch for Photos!

You can see photos of the Lynch’s completed barn later this summer on Lester’s website, lesterbuildings.com. Until then, visit Lester’s site to see other equestrian buildings, including those in your area.

View Sandy’s winning video:

Custom Stable-Arena-Home in Illinois Horse Country

It’s not an overstatement to say that a horse can change a person’s life, because that’s exactly what happened to Vicky Campbell. Her healing experience with horses inspired her to become an equine coach, horse owner – and more.

Come spring, Lester Buildings will help Vicky literally begin building her life around horses on a generous piece of land in Oswego, Illinois. That means breaking ground on a private facility for family and friends that includes a combo stall barn and riding arena, and private residence for Vicky and her family. The specs: 84-foot wide by 224-foot long arena that shares an end wall with a 40-foot wide by 120-foot long 14-stall barn, and Vicky’s home (size is being finalized) attached to the arena’s other end wall. When completed, the complex will resemble a “U” shape.

“I want my facility to be a real place of healing and be big enough that it’s comfortable for people,” said Vicky, who purchased her first horse, “Jetty,” last June. Since then, she has added another horse and donkey. Her barn will also house her brother’s two horses and five that belong to her trainer.

Taking Time to Design
Ivan Hovden, Lester’s local rep. who covers central Illinois, has spent the last year leading Vicky through a thorough and collaborative design process. When Vicky contacted Ivan, she had a budget in mind but no set design beyond suggestions from her horse trainer.

Ivan explained that Lester’s design process typically goes much faster, but they never rush a customer when so many decisions are involved. “From the start, Vicky has relied on Lester for design and direction, which I’m happy to provide. My role was, and remains, keeping everyone informed and moving forward.” For Ivan, that has included watching weather reports. The severe Illinois winter has pushed the project’s original start date of January to March, with completion of the barn and arena by early summer. The attached residence will follow shortly thereafter, once its interior design is finalized.

Finalizing the Layout
It’s common for building design to shift, especially with larger projects. Initially, Vicky only knew she wanted an 80-foot by 150-foot arena large enough to turn her horse. She envisioned two barns with 20 to 40 stalls for commercial boarding, and an unattached traditional home. That plan changed when she learned her facility’s size and purpose would require a sprinkler system and be cost prohibitive. The final design gave Vicky want she wanted, including natural ventilation (another cost savings).

“I hate details, and I’ve changed my mind a lot, but Ivan has worked extremely hard to make this work. I can’t say enough good things about him,” Vicky added.

Design Highlights
Ivan’s role has included guiding Vicky through Lester’s nearly endless list of aesthetic and functional options.

These include door, window and roof styles, and some of Vicky’s personal touches -- cupolas, wainscot, dormers, a metal ceiling liner to hide trusses in the arena, and an angled arena guard for horse and rider safety.

In keeping with her vision for “clean and crisp,” the buildings will feature white walls and roof, with black trim and wainscoting.

“She is going to have a very nice complex when we’re done,” Ivan added. “And if she ever decides to move, resale shouldn’t be a problem. She’s in a great horse community. There’s even a polo field across the road.”

Watch for Photos!
You can see photos of Vicky’s completed building later this summer on Lester’s website, lesterbuildings.com. Until then, visit Lester’s site to see its library of other equestrian buildings, including those in your area.

Look Before You Leap When Building a Horse Barn

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when you’re contemplating a builder for a new horse barn. In fact, it’s hard to believe that anyone would consider such an investment without first seeing standing proof of a builder’s workmanship and experience. Here’s what to look for in a builder’s equine portfolio.

Experience and Variety

A reputable building company knows that seeing is believing. Look for a builder whose portfolio shows a variety of equine projects. Each should display the same level of quality, regardless of size or function. Lester Buildings took this to heart when redesigning its website last year. The site now provides an extensive online photo library of real Lester Buildings of all types and sizes, including horse barns, riding arenas, and those with attached living quarters.

“It’s a great place to showcase our company’s experience building equine structures around the country,” said Stephanie Beste, Marketing Manager with Lester. “Horse people are passionate about their animals, and they expect the best in safety and quality whether they’re building a single-stall stable or large commercial riding arena.”

Customization

Don’t settle for a builder that’s limited to the proverbial napkin sketch. Equine owners typically want to customize their structures to the specifics of their lifestyle, climate, horse breed(s), aesthetical preferences – you name it. A good builder should have the ability to confidently design and deliver your vision on time and within budget.

“There are almost no limits to how we can customize our equine buildings. Our site provides great inspiration and design ideas for horse owners,” Beste added. Lester’s site lets viewers sort project photos by building use, geographic location (state), color and project number. Clicking on a photo reveals deeper details, such as town/state, dimensions, special features and more. If viewers want to venture into pricing, they’re just a click away from eBuildings, Lester’s online pricing tool.

Builder Longevity and Warranty

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. For starters:  How long has the building company been in business? You want a builder who will be around for the long haul if problems arise or you want to expand in the future. Does the builder offer a lifetime structural design warranty? Don’t commit to a builder who doesn’t. Also ask if the builder knows local residential and commercial codes, in case you what to attach living quarters at some point.

References

A good builder should have no shortage of references. Ask for contacts who can comment on recent equine projects, as well as past, where after service was needed.

To learn more about Lester Buildings and see its library of equestrian buildings, including those in your area, visit lesterbuildings.com.

Horse Stall Sense: Why Choosing a Single Source for Stalls and Barns is Best

For a horse, its stall is its personal sanctuary – its familiar place to rest, relax and rejuvenate. So it makes sense that horse lovers want that aspect of their barn to offer the best in safety, comfort, function and beauty. It begins with choosing a designer and supplier that are one in the same.

The Benefits of a Single-Source Supplier

“A single-source supplier is always going to be less problematic for the owner,” says Paul Boor, Vice President of Product Development/Engineering Services with Lester Buildings. Years ago, the company began seeing the problems and challenges that came with trying to fit other suppliers’ stalls into Lester Buildings. In response, Lester introduced its Signature Equine Line of safety-tested specialty stall fronts, backs, partitions and doors, including sliding and dutch doors, about a decade ago.

After 20 years on the job, Paul knows first-hand the benefits of ordering horse stalls and buildings from one company with plenty of equine experience.  His observations:

Safety

Animal and human safety should always be an owner’s first concern. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced equine builder. “We’ve listened to a lot of horse owners over the years and have decades of experience perfecting our stalls and barns.” He believes that a single-source supplier is more in tune with every detail, such as eliminating pinch points and sharp edges where stalls connect to the building.

Cost Savings  

A single-source supplier can design its stalls to fit the specific configuration of its horse barn (and horse barns are increasingly becoming more complex, according to Paul.) That means no surprises – or added costs – at install, fewer construction delays and greater longevity. 

Compatibility

Trying to marry stalls from one supplier to a different, non-related building supplier increases the chances of compatibility problems between components. A single source can offer better fit and, thus, smoother function. 

Flexibility

Horse lovers are, well, horse lovers, and a few horses can easily lead to more. Lester makes stall customization an integral part of its building design. Its partitions use laminated columns with a slot at the corner post and at the back wall, so partition walls can be easily removed and quickly modified for foaling.

Durability

Paul likes to point out that durability is a specific bragging point for Lester Buildings. “We use the same strict lumber grading criteria for selecting the planks for our buildings and our stalls. Each piece is visually picked for its specific purpose and placement.”

Aesthetics

Thoughtful integration of stalls into the building leads to a nice, clean look. Lester’s line of Signature stalls match its standard Uni-Rib™ colors so that stalls are visually integrated into the exterior building design. It’s beauty that lasts.

To learn more about Lester Buildings and see a library of equestrian buildings featuring Lester’s Signature Equine Line in your area, visit lesterbuildings.com.

Living with Your Horses

The case for building a horse barn with living quarters.

If living with your horses brings to mind Mary, Joseph and a manger, it’s time to stretch your imagination. Today, a horse barn with living quarters can be a comfortable and economical solution for housing horses and their humans.

Building is Best
Begin by considering your three options. Find an existing property for sale (scarce in most places), convert an existing barn (face strict residential building codes and cost overruns) or build your own structure, often the most economical choice. Here’s the case for pursuing the latter, from Todd Fisher, a Lester Buildings dealer based in Iowa.

“Building a new structure offers the most customization. Not only is every horse owner different, but horse breeds can have different needs, too.” Todd and his employer, K-Van Construction Company, have built several combo buildings, including those with stables, arenas and living quarters.

Getting a structure that suits your lifestyle is essential, adds Bob Johnson, an experienced Lester dealer in Illinois, who operates Bob Johnson Construction. “In 2011, we built a customized barn with living quarters for a veterinarian who wanted to keep a watchful eye on foaling mares via a huge picture window in the living room.” Recently, Bob has been fulfilling a more common request:  horse barns with an 800-1,000 sq. ft. apartment for housing a hired hand.

An Insider’s Advice on Design
Todd and Bob offer this advice to people on the fence about building:

Don’t skimp on design/build –  A professional, collaborative design process will ensure you stay in your budget; a correctly built structure will reduce maintenance costs down the road. In other words, don’t skimp when choosing a design-build company.

Build out, rather than up – Todd advocates building longer and wider to avoid stairs in the living quarters, especially if you plan on living the horse lifestyle into your golden years.

Never compromise ventilation – Avoid building a second story on top of horse stalls. Roof ridge vents over stalls are essential for moving air, odor, dust and dirt up and outside. If you live in a part of the country where it’s customary to have hay storage over the stalls, make sure you have proper roof heights and venting. Also, carefully consider placement of windows, doors and other ventilation options.

Fire prevention – In most cases – and if feasible -- play it safe by housing feed, hay, bedding and power equipment in a separate building not attached to the main structure. Also incorporate fire walls between the barn and living quarters. These design elements will likely reduce your insurance premiums.

Distinct spaces – No matter how much you love your horses (and vice versa), maintain distinct separation between horse and human living spaces. This is especially true if you have a riding arena (more dust, dirt, noise, etc.).

Know your local codes -- Local building codes, zoning laws and permit requirements vary by county. Working closely with your Lester dealer upfront can go a long way to prevent unwanted costs and delays down the road.

To see a complete library of horse barns with living quarters in your area, visit lesterbuildings.com.

Considering a New Horse Barn? Chew on This.

Building a new horse barn is an exciting opportunity to get the type of stable you want and the type of shelter your horses need and deserve. But like any new construction, it’s no small task. It requires forethought, decision making and financial planning. It begins with choosing an experienced builder who listens well and can guide you through the process of customization.

Al Miller and Ivan Hovden, both with Lester Buildings, have extensive experience building horse barns of all sizes (from just a few stalls to enormous riding arenas with full amenities) in Illinois. Ranking the biggest considerations is tough. “Horse people are A to Z. They really vary in what they want,” says Al. Regardless, both men agree on those issues that top the list.

Proper ventilation is the leader. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is putting ‘people comfort’ above horse comfort. Getting ventilation right is critical for keeping horses healthy,” Ivan adds. Lester dealers work with owners to discuss ventilation options, as well as other factors that can reduce moisture build-up, such as roof style, pitch and porches.

Barn size and configuration – also in relation to horse health, safety and comfort – are other list leaders. Ivan adds, “Every customer wants something a little different. Lester dealers sit down with each owner, using real-time computer design to customize the layout and track cost.” Those discussions will include reviewing framing and rafter systems, and the number, size and design/style of stalls, alleyways and gates. Lester prides itself on creating intuitive designs that combine the practical, aesthetic and emotional nuances of the equestrian lifestyle.

Al has been a horse owner for a dozen years and his father was a vet. Al insists that stall design is a particular science. “An experienced builder will ask what type of horses a customer has or plans on having, if stalls should accommodate foaling, if horse contact between stalls is desired, and if horses have any behaviors that might be a concern, like cribbing or escaping.” Lester offers its own line of safety-tested specialty stalls, stall doors, dutch doors and sliding doors.

Al also stresses the importance of a builder who has flexibility in column layout, to maximize space without compromising durability, and a builder who is conscious of keeping the building site clean and tidy. “There shouldn’t be any nails or fasteners left behind that could cause injury down the road. You want a crew who’s very careful.”

Of course, there will be many secondary, but equally important, decisions:  feed storage, watering systems, lighting, monitoring systems (cameras), etc. Lester dealers will also help owners decide on interior and exterior aesthetic details (Lester has endless options) that pull the design together and leave an owner feeling proud.

To learn more about Lester Buildings and see a library of equestrian buildings in your area, visit lesterbuildings.com.