Horizontal Hives, also known as Long Hives, are Langstroth-type hives, except that instead of separate boxes stacked vertically, this hive is one long box (the equivalent of three deep hive bodies side by side ) on legs to reduce back and shoulder strain.
Built for beekeepers who cannot lift and move heavy boxes, or those with physical disabilities/limitations, these hives accept standard deep Langstroth frames (not included). The beekeeper will only have to lift the lid to access the hive, and then the inner covers, and finally, the frames. The beekeeper can control the expansion of the hive by simply keeping the follower board three frames ahead of their comb building. The hive's legs are made of pressure treated wood to resist rot, and are removeable (they can also be cut to adjust the hive to a lower level if desired). This hive is designed to be worked from the back; the front of the hive is where the two entrances are for the bees.
Package bees or nucs are typically installed into one side of the hive or the other (never in the middle). Preferably, situate the hive so that the bees' entrance is South/Southeast facing, and install the bees in the western side of the hive so that the bees may build from the West towards the East.