Do you need a quick source of temporary shade or perhaps a wall to block the wind?  Well, with a few 4 ft X 8 ft sheets of cheap particle board (I also hear it called chip board or press board, I can not remember the official name) and a few T-post, you can erect a surprisingly sturdy “wall” in just a few minutes that will cast a good shadow in the mornings and, hot, late afternoons, as well as block a stiff wind. As the photos show, I have used this technique as low walls for my temporary paddock shelters, but they can also serve as stand alone walls in a field. When constructed in the shape of a 16 ft X 16 ft “T” and positioned with the wind in mind, they become a popular gathering point for shade and avoidance of strong, cold, winter winds.

The T-post should extend about 2″ to 4″ above the wood so that a bungee can be used to strap the T-post together. I use high quality bungees that I purchased at Lowe’s Home Center which stand up well to UV abuse. Do not buy the “bag o’ bungees” type of product that Wall Mart sells. They will rot in just a few weeks. Some of my boards are over two years old and still holding up well. Last year the steel structure of one of my shelters was smashed down by a micro burst, but the “temporary walls” stood up and kept the structure from flattening to the ground. No alpacas were injured.

The photos show the popularity of the shade offered and some construction details.

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Ed Downs
Kindred Spirits Ranch