EP 56: The Barn Design Process

EP 56: The Barn Design Process

Author: Helena Harris January 8, 2021 Duration: 49:32

If there was a deity to worship in the world of barn design, John Blackburn would most certainly fit the bill! John is the principal of Blackburn Architects, inarguably producing some of the world's most beautiful and practical equestrian facilities today.

With a focus on barns that can safely and elegantly serve horses of all kinds, in all disciplines, Blackburn Architects are problem solvers at heart, putting their creative engineering and design minds to work for horse owners all over the globe.

Helena sits down to talk with John in this episode to get a feel for what goes into the barn design process, and what the future looks like for both commercial and private equestrian facilities. Listen in!


Helena Harris hosts Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping, a place where the details of daily life with horses are given thoughtful attention. The premise is simple yet profound: the well-being of our horses is deeply intertwined with the spaces and routines we build. This podcast digs into that reality, moving beyond theory to share practical, real-world advice. You’ll hear from veterinarians, farriers, barn managers, and other equestrian specialists, but the conversations feel more like insightful chats between friends who are deeply passionate about animal care. They cover everything from stall design and pasture management to selecting the right tools and understanding equine behavior, always with an eye toward creating a harmonious and sustainable environment. Whether you’re a parent introducing children to their first pony, a professional running a boarding facility, or someone who finds peace in the quiet of the barn after work, there’s something here for you. Each episode of this podcast aims to make the complex aspects of horsekeeping more approachable, offering strategies and product insights that can be applied directly to your own stable. It’s about fostering a lifestyle where both horses and their people can thrive, celebrating the unique bond that makes all the hard work worthwhile. Tune in for a blend of expertise and heartfelt conversation that reflects the true rhythm of life with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stall and Stable: Ideas for Happy Horsekeeping
Podcast Episodes
EP 153: Horse Welfare and Behavior Discussion with Buck & Helena [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:35
We're just poppin in to your earbuds to talk about horse welfare and behavior from a birdseye view. Why is it important, how science has delivered important knowledge about behavior to the equine industry, and Helena's n…
EP 152: Behavior Motivators for Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:03
There are six primary behavior motivators for horses: 1) Food 2) Water 3) Safety 4) Comfort 5) Companionship 6) Reproduction To understand why a horse does something (good, bad, or indifferent), it is important to first…
EP 151: What Happened to Helena? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:13
Helena is back for a very quick recap and update on her evolving role in the equine industry. As she completes year one of her master's program at PennVet, rest assured that her passion for making the world a better plac…
EP 150: Goodbye and Thank You, I'm Off to Learn Nerdy, Cool Things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:38
In this final episode of the Stall and Stable Show, Helena shares her purpose for wrapping up the podcast with a reading of her graduate school application essay, lots of thank yous, and one last interesting conversation…
EP 149: Understanding Horses from Their Point of View [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
Wendy Murdoch comes back to the show to talk about how equine behavior, environment, and biomechanics work to settle an anxious horse. How does gravity play a role in a confident horse? And what would you do if you were…
EP 148: Triple Crown Spotlight July 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:03
We are back with our regular Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight, answering listener questions with Triple Crown Feed specialist, Stacy Andersen. This month features the answer to a query submitted by Shannon, who had a fol…
EP 147: The Snuffle Pasture for Stabled Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:07
Are you interested in ways to keep your horse mentally and emotionally healthy? If your horse spends more than an hour or two in a stall, you will be interested in learning about today's guest: Marlow Morrison, inventor…
EP 146: Temple Grandin, An Open Door [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:50
Temple Grandin is a world-renowned animal behaviorist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She blazed many trails toward the humane treatment of livestock, and is the author of more than 60 scien…
EP 145: How to Choose a Feed for Your Easy Keeper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
It's another Triple Crown Nutrition Spotlight episode, and this time, Helena and Stacy talk about how to choose a feed for those easy keepers, horses with metabolic issues, and other situations where low sugar / low star…
EP 144: Introducing Maria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:52
When I put out a call on Faceblast for a freelance professional to come out and give me a hand with my horses, Maria Falgione and her husband Ral Ayers came rollin up my driveway. I looked at Buck and said, "Well, you ne…