Horses & Health
DESIGNING
Your Ranch
Optimal Horse Health
for
Imaging, designing and building the ranch of your dreams
could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, making it
vital to partner with the right architect to design your space
with very special residents in mind - the horses! The 135-acre
Perry Park Ranch and Equestrian Complex nestled in the wildlifeladen
valley of Douglas County, Colorado, does just that and is
expertly designed to suit all horse and horse caretaking needs.
Rooted between rugged bluffs and boasting
sweeping views of the surrounding
valley, the expansive ranch strikes a harmonious
balance between modern and
earthy. The entire structure, designed by
Vertical Arts Architecture, is designed for
optimal ventilation and cleanliness in order
to create a healthy environment for the
horses. The property’s equestrian facilities
are grouped around a central drinking
trough and landscape feature, with the
arena strategically tucked into the hillside
to reduce its mass impact on the overall
site. Perry Park’s equestrian facilities include
an eight-stall barn that is uniquely connected
to a staging area and heated indoor arena
for year-round use. Smaller buildings like the
hay storage and barn flank the lower edge
of the site, allowing the complex to feel balanced
and improving access to the facilities.
Rather than using traditional agricultural buildings,
Perry Park was designed to be visually
striking and unique. The facilities utilize exposed
steel structures combined with a unique,
low-maintenance material palette of stucco,
rusted steel, wood siding and bonderized metal, giving
each building authentic Western character without the
typical wooden barn.
The barn features wash and grooming stalls, a
hay and bedding stall, tack room, plus a locker
room for employees complete with a washer and dryer.
The courtyard-style facility protects the animals from wind
and winter elements, and was also inspired by the owner’s
Moroccan heritage.
Feeding is a breeze with built-in water troughs and feeding
cubbies in each stall. Large garage doors were installed in
the barn to allow for plenty of ventilation on warm summer
days. The installation of an automatic cleaning system for
the stalls makes the barn easy to maintain and the design
also includes a specialized three-step composting system
with an aeration mat near the barn.
50 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com EQUINE Health
Perry Park by the numbers:
EE
1. The equestrian facility consists of multiple buildings, including a main barn and indoor riding arena, a bunkhouse and
machinery garage and a hay barn.It is designed in a courtyard style that is grounded by a central landscape feature,
including a fountain and drinking trough for the horses.
2. The lounge, viewing area and office are attached to the indoor arena and feature a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace.
●131.1-acre site
●6,600-square-foot single family residence
●15,000-square-foot indoor riding arena
●4,360-square-foot barn
●1,300-square-foot hay storage
●1,340-square-foot implement shed
●775-square-foot bunkhouse
The barn is connected to a staging area and
heated indoor arena by a drivable breezeway,
allowing the horses to stay indoors year-round.
Translucent panels are incorporated on the top
story of the riding arena and barn to allow light
in while reducing shadows, glares and bright
spots that can spook horses. The lounge, viewing area and
office are attached to the indoor arena and inside there is
a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace.
This spacious bunk house features a bedroom, bathroom,
kitchen and living room with fireplace, as well as an adjoining
implement shed and workshop.
The Ranch
The Barn
The Indoor Arena
The Bunkhouse
3. Feeding is a breeze with built-in water troughs and feeding cubbies in each stall
4. The translucent panels on the top story of the riding arena and barn allow light in while reducing shadows,
glares and bright spots that can spook horses.
5. Large garage doors provide additional ventilation on warm days.
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