Alberta farrier finds strength and protection in corten steel shipping containers...

Nobody understands the strength of steel like a man who spends his life shaping it. So when Tom Ross, a farrier based in Cowley, Alberta was looking to securely store and protect his valuable tack, he was confident that a corten steel shipping container could do the job.

Being a farrier requires a deep understanding of equine anatomy and a delicate touch but is also a physically demanding job. Similar to a shipping container, a farrier must be strong and able to withstand the elements, spending the majority of their time outside enduring the weather while they work.

An Alberta born horse lover and tradesman, Ross is passionate about horses on and off the clock and when not working on his craft, enjoys riding one of his own six horses. While his farm includes stables, when he wanted to expand his tack room he came up with the idea to utilize a decommissioned container to securely store his saddles, bridles, and equipment.

“A container just seemed like the perfect fit and provides me with an affordable wind and watertight way for me to add to the barn. An added benefit is that it’s also rodent proof which is a challenge for anyone with a farm and lots of feed around. After completing the tack room, my goal is to add another unit, add a prefab adjustable roof and then store all our hay above the area.” We are honored to include Tom Ross on our list of happy Canadian customers repurposing used shipping containers for land-based storage and protection.