What To Do When Your Horse Puts Its Feet Through A Metal Barn
Metal barns are better at keeping wind and weather out of the barn. This is a big reason why so many farmers and ranchers use metal buildings. However, they have some drawbacks, too. Sometimes a horse will buck or kick a hole into the side of the metal barn, often causing harm to itself and damage to the metal barn. If that happens to your metal barn, here is what you can do next.
Make Sure Your Horse Is Placed Somewhere Safe and Gets Medical Attention
The hole in the barn can wait. Your horse's shredded leg(s) cannot. Place the agitated animal in a safer, calmer place and seek veterinarian help. Once your horse has been treated, you can switch your focus back to the barn.
If Possible, Contact the Manufacturer of the Barn Materials
Most metal barns, thankfully, are constructed of panels. That means that you could easily remove the damaged panel and replace it with a new one. However, this only works if the manufacturer of your metal barn panels is still in business. If they are still in business, contact them, request a replacement panel, and pay for it on the spot. You cannot put your horse (or any other animal) in that stall again until the damaged panel is removed and replaced with a complete panel.
When the New Panel Arrives, Remove the Old Panel
For now, you can leave the old panel in place to prevent large predators from entering the stall and going after other animals in the barn. When the new panel arrives, remove the old panel. You may need a blowtorch, tin snips, and/or a reciprocating saw to cut through the bolts that hold this panel in place. Now you are ready to install the new panel.
You Might Want to Hire a Welder
It helps to hire a welder to install the new panel on your barn. He or she can stud weld the new panel in place, which makes the panel sturdier and more durable. If you want, your welder can cut a slice from the damaged panel, weld it to the lower half of the newer panel, and use it to reinforce the new panel. However, that is entirely up to you.
If the Hole Is Not That Big
If the hole your horse created is not that big (e.g., barely the size of a single hoof), then you could skip the new panel. Instead, ask the welder to hammer the hole closed and weld it shut. Then sand the interior side of the hole so that there is nothing sharp jutting into the stall. Now your horse can go back into his/her stall to recuperate.