Brand New Barndo Design Arrives As The Barndo Build Comes of Age
By Nikki Alvin-Smith

The latest design in Barndominium is the just released Skyline build, that offers either a retro 1970’s appeal or futuristic design depending on your viewpoint. Regardless of what you may think of the stylistic elements, the huge expanse of upstairs living space for resident humans is impressive. And the addition of a deck and large picture windows and patio door access create an inside/outside living area with tremendous opportunity for expansive vistas. Given that horse farms generally do have a fair amount of open space to view for pastures, the views are likely to be pretty.
 
The Skyline is just the latest in a stellar line-up of Barndominiums from leading modular horse barn company Horizon Structures. The choice of now five floor plans (see the other four here) and five different architectural aesthetics brings human/horse structures to the fore as a great option for a single footprint and thus eco-friendly structure for today’s passionate equestrian or forward-thinking vacation rental hosts.
 
Living alongside livestock is nothing new to man. The Irish homes we see now being renovated from the lost century that occurred due to the potato famine, and the humble stone abodes across the hills of Portugal and the valleys of Spain, all incorporated housing for hens and horses, a milking cow and a few sheep. The warmth from the animals in winter provided comfort for the human residents and their manure was often used to burn as a heat source in many cultures, and the safety of the valuable animals was assured secure from predators of the animal and human sort.
 
Today, dining room furniture like china cabinets may house crystal and fine dinnerware, but back in the day those chicken wire fronts housed hens with the cupboards below a nesting box area. The eggs were certainly protected from vermin and always fresh for breakfast.
 
But what is living in harmony with horses under the same roof all about from the horse’s perspective? Today, as Barndos have come of age, the division between human and animal living spaces is easy to keep separate from unwanted interference on either side of the floor. The upstairs area can be insulated and energy efficient, protected from noise, odors, vermin or other animal intrusions, and a single access point can serve to function for all services such as water and electric needs, and the same safety, convenience and security for the animals can be assured. And not to forget, building a barn with living space above is certainly cheaper than buying a barn and home separately. Not just in initial capital outlay either, but often also in property taxes and insurance costs.
 

But what do horses think of this combination style of living all in one box with their human caregivers?
 
If you were to explain to your kid what living underneath human inhabitants in a Barndominium might be like from the horse’s point of view it might go something like this….
 
“I’ve never understood why my humans disappear from my barn or where they go. Sometimes I see them crossing the yard to another building and the lights come on and I see them moving about inside through the window. Sometimes they make a lot of noise, especially during summer nights when a strange smell emanates from the tin black box they keep by the backdoor step.
 
I’m not a fan of loud noises and I don’t like their music. Though sometimes I hear something quieter play that has a good rhythm to it and I find it calming. Not sure what that’s about.
 
I know little humans like to visit me in my deeply littered comfy bed, and I love it when they sit down beside me if I am laying down. I enjoy them cuddling with me, though I have to watch my feet and move about slowly else I frighten them and they startle. But none of my humans spend the night with me in my big box. At times I worry they have forgotten my feed and forgotten me. They disappear from the property and don’t come back until it is late and dark and cold.
 
I like knowing where my humans are and that they are around. There are many scary things that happen, especially at night, and because of my fenced paddock I cannot run away and hide. And when I’m in my stall I know I can’t escape. If a human sees or hears what I see or hear I know right away, and I can quickly figure out if they are worried too or not. I can hear their heartbeat from quite a distance away. It’s very useful being able to hear that – and of course their body language tells me even more. When I know they’ve seen something that I’ve seen and worries me, and they stay calm and their heart rate the same, then I know I have nothing to fear. Humans can be very helpful to have around. Sometimes they shout and run off to deal with whatever it is or take to their buzzing devices and start talking to it. That seems to make them calmer so that’s good though I do find it annoying when we are supposed to be out together enjoying a walk and they start talking into it incessantly and they seem to forget I’m there.
 
But when my humans aren’t anywhere about it can be very worrying. Especially when I have one of my babies with me. Or even worse when I’m due to have one, and the pains begin. Luckily my human is a good helper and doesn’t interfere with my deliveries but I do feel better knowing she is there.
 
I think my horsey neighbors agree that having humans around is generally a good thing. Though there are some humans that smell very strange that wear boiler suits and carry boxes. Those ones like to pry open my mouth and keep it open using a huge uncomfortable metal device where the straps always hit my eyes and make them sore, or worse they come with needles and start prodding me about all over. Those people make my humans nervous too I’ve noticed. And those other ones with the animal apron aren’t great either. They always want me to stand on three feet for ages and let them smack my feet with a hammer.
 
But things have changed for the better recently. The humans moved me and my friends to another place. And they live with me. There are lots of advantages I’ve found to having the humans live in my barn. Though occasionally they wake me up with their vacuum machine or I hear them shouting at each other through an open window, most of the time it’s great having them close by.
 
In winter I don’t have to wait ages for them to come in and feed me. It used to be when I saw snow outside I knew that the day was going to include a lot of waiting about. I don’t like waiting for my hay and grain. It makes me worried and my tummy hurts sometimes. But that all stopped when they moved in upstairs.
 
They actually visit with me more now, often popping down late at night to say Hello and give me extra carrots. That’s the best. Even if they make me do silly things like reach between my front legs to get the carrot or turn my head around to an awkward position. I’ve learned humans have some funny ideas but I expect they have their reasons.
 
My water isn’t as freezing cold in winter as it was I’ve noticed either. I don’t like frigid water so I try not to drink too much of it. But now the water seems to be an even temperature and it’s much better.
 
I’ve also noticed that my nose doesn’t get so runny or my head hurt as much and I don’t feel as tired. There isn’t as much dust about now. I never liked having hay thrown on my head from above. And I could hear mice and rats above my head before, scurrying about upstairs. That’s gone.
 
Sometimes in the night there are loud bangs and bright lights in the sky. I don’t like those nights. I don’t sleep well. But I can hear my humans upstairs on their deck area, laughing and enjoying the lights in the sky, and that makes me feel better. But I don’t like to hear humans screaming even in fun, and when you run about and make a lot of noise I’m not fond of that.
 
When I stick my head out above my Dutch stable door I can hear the hum of human voices talking above and that is very restful. When I hear a truck door slam or a delivery truck come up the driveway I don’t have to worry about who it is or what they want. I’m not fond of those big truck boxes, they usually mean trouble. And they make me feel claustrophobic when I have to go in one, especially ones where the floor isn’t very solid and flexes beneath my feet.
 
When I’m out grazing I can see my humans up above my stable house, watching me enjoy my time outdoors. That seems to give them great pleasure. And if I am too hot and the flies and bugs are getting to me, or my blanket thing starts dragging on the floor, they see me right away and come and sort it out. I love that the humans have a good view of me now and I don’t have to call out and gallop about to get their attention.
 
Sometimes when I’m in my box stall having a roll I get stuck against the wall. I expect my kicking the wall is what brings the humans running. But it’s nice to know they can hear me if I’m really in trouble. I do occasionally get myself in a bit of a pickle. And if I’m poorly it’s lovely to have the humans so close by making regular checks to see I’m doing O.K.
 
Humans aren’t very tall and the little ones can hardly see me at all through the wide boards on the fence. But I do look for them. I hear them coming even when they can’t see me and I always love their visits even if they don’t have anything for me to eat. Though of course it is always important to check what’s in their pockets. I can smell a carrot a mile away. I’ve learned that a gentle nuzzle can get me all kind of treats.”
 
 
There’s not much question that the new Skyline barn, with its open floor upstairs that does not come finished but is temptingly a clean slate where the purchaser can plant their own hoofprint in design, is a great addition to the increasingly popular Barndo lifestyle. Horse and humans have always enjoyed a special symbiotic bond, and for a second home, business opportunity or primary residence the Barndominium offers a suite of simple lifestyle pleasures.
 
Want to explore the new Skyline? Take this virtual tour.