Filling in the Gaps: A Barn Update

This week, we made progress on our barn, which was previously a dairy barn. One of the ongoing challenges we've faced is the gutters, which caused issues with the horses, so we decided to fill them in. However, fluctuating weather temperatures have made it difficult to pour concrete, so we’re taking our time with this project.

We’ve been planning to fill these gutters for a while, as our horses often wouldn’t cross them. In the meantime, we’d fill them with dirt to make use of the stalls we’d already built—either for horses needing special attention or as a temporary holding area for vet visits.

To start the process, we warmed up the barn with a torpedo heater, which covers more area than a typical space heater. The goal was to make the space more comfortable for us and to warm the area we’d be working in. After getting the barn up to a chilly 40°F, we mixed concrete in a mixer and moved it in a wheelbarrow to the gutters. This can be tricky with the fluid concrete, and Trevor’s strength was crucial for getting it all moved efficiently.

Once the concrete was in place, we leveled it off, creating a smooth transition between the stalls and the existing floor. This was a bit tricky due to the height differences, but we managed. Afterward, we covered the concrete with a blanket to keep it from getting too cold while it set. The cats did manage to leave their mark in a few spots once it had hardened!

Though we’ve only completed a small part of the project, we’re thrilled to be one step closer to having the barn ready for future boarders. We’re hoping for warmer weather soon so we can keep making progress. In the meantime, we’ll continue refurbishing more stalls and moving forward with our plans.

Savor, Flourish, Enjoy the ride—and don’t forget to close the gate!

Trevor Moller, April Johnson 

And the team at Stock and Steeds