16.2 in a 10ft x 9ft stable

[runningonhorses]

My 16.2hh (and 15hh) may need stabling. I have a long shed, 20ft by 9ft. They currently live out all year round, no shelter, just rugs. Both have very thick coats. Though I'm not so worried about them being cold - but mud fever. They sink about a foot into the ground. It sounds awful, and it is. Wherever they go it seems to churn up the mud. I live on an island, and it's practically always raining, so I can't rotate them on different pieces of field. The land hasn't been drained in years either, which I am working on now. They have just started to show symptoms of mud fever, and still have a VERY long winter to go.. So I'm thinking of converting my shed into a stables, just for this season. My 16.2hh has a heart of gold, and knows her boundaries. However, my 15hh devil spawn got herself stuck up on the trailer bars because we opened the door, whilst the other stood their and ate her hay whilst we took the apart the whole framework to get her unstuck.. So that explains their personalities. I'm quite scared that it's too small for my 16.2 for general comfort, and even worse, that my 15 will go nuts.

 

[ihatework]

Really not ideal.
Could you adapt it into one open fronted shelter that they share, with a mud control matted area in front of it?

 

[JBM]

Going to be very small
Will they fight lose in the shed together?

 

[YorksG]

Look at buying mud control mats to have at least some hard standing area, also see if you can take out one long wall of your building and turn it into a shelter. I really would not like the 9' width.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would just let them have the whole area and move anything out they can get stuck on.

And make a mud free area just outside of it so they have a bit more room.

 

[Patterdale]

Too small sadly.

Can you mud mat the front and fence, to double the size?

 

[Polos Mum]

For the cost of a safe conversion you could probably buy a more suitable field shelter and put some hard core / matting down.

I don't think you could shut them in a shed of that size and they might well not choose to go in it much.

A larger mud free area (still open to the elements) to put hay on might tempt them to stand out of the mud more.

I have spent £thousands this summer making an (in my view) amazing open barn area for mine - and in recent snow they all stood outside the whole time - grrrrr

 

[palo1]

Too small sadly and a stable that size for a 16.2 does represent a real risk for either horse not lying down or getting cast. I would open the shed up and try mud control mats too.

 

[meleeka]

If you put a hardstanding outside and make the shed into a shelter, you could fence it off so they can be shut off the mud for some of the time. Without knowing the surroundings of the shed it's hard to say really.

 

[Jambarissa]

It is too small but sometimes needs must. Even being in for just long enough to dry off could make a difference.

I personally would put both in the big space if you think it could work. Put a big bale of hay in the middle so there's a way for the less dominant to get away without getting stuck in a corner.

 

[Sanversera]

Too small, horse at risk of getting cast

 

[dorsetladette]

It's small, but if it outways the mud fever issues. Even if they are just coming in to dry off and a deep straw bed helps dry and clean their legs off so you can treat effectively.

If there shut in that space I'd be inclined to put a gate or half height partition across the middle so they can both get their heads over - giving the feel of a bit more space.

Then work on making a hard standing/corral area outside to increase the area.

My shelter is 18x12 with 2 opening at the front. You will quite often find all 3 ponies in there with 3 sheep. ne morning all 3 were lay down in there. How they managed it I have no idea but they all were fine. Sometimes we don't have a perfect set up and just need to make the best of what we have available, then try to improve from there.