Aug 29, 2019 - barns with gambrel roof for horses. see more ideas about gambrel, gambrel roof, barn.. The gambrel roof became popular on barns after the american civil war. the gambrel barn allowed farmers to increase the size of their loft space without making the barn any bigger. the term gambrel refers to a broken hook shape, or the shape of the hind leg of a horse, the knee joint is sometimes called the gambrel joint.. The larger gambrel’s are very functional for raising and caring for farm animals and horses. gambrel barns can be either a single story barn or a two story barn. the gambrel style can be set up with a full or partial cathedral ceiling, a simple storage loft, or a full second floor to store hay, or anything else for that matter..