Alternative stabling arangements

[Magicmillbrook]

Does anyone have something different to the traditional loose box? If so what do you have and how do you get on - pros & cons etc.

We are about to exchange contracts and will, hopefuly, after 2 years, fingers crossed, please dear god dont let anything go wrong now - move in two weeks!!!!!!! So now need to seriously think about what we are going to do.

My 4 neds live out most of the time so a traditional block of 4 boxes seems a bit of a waste to have empty for the majority of the time. Was toying with the idea of covered pens or something that would be of more use in this sort of weather or for the two tiny fatties . Any thoughts greatfully received.

 

[AmyMay]

A small barn - big enough for 4 horses that get on well - can work well. One where either access is permitted as and when the horse wants it - or with the ability to shut the whole area off to confine the horses when you need to.

Bedded down with straw - with doors on the front to shut out excessive weather.

 

[wildwest]

as above much better than a stable :}

 

[Enfys]

A barn works well, as said above. However, IF you ever need to stable them then that is also simple.

Fix swinging gates (panels filled in OF COURSE

thought I'd say that before someone else did, even though I assume that everyone does that anyway) on the walls so that they can be used as stabling if need be. Depends on the width of your barn of course, but just 2 x 12' gates at one end make a decent temporary pen, say 12' x 24'.

Good Luck with your move.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Hmm - interesting. I have a dilapidated barn already that we were going to perhaps make two boxes in (we have loads of ply wood are taking and two sectional 'Loddon style' stable fronts The rest could then be for hay and my lorry.

I thought about spending what cash we have available on a large concrete pad on the outside of the barn and eventualy building a huge lean-too off the side and dividing into two large cartshed type bays with blockwork. I could have it open to the field as heavy duty field shelters with infilled gates to swing across if they ever all need to be in. Could anyone forsee any isses with this sort of arrangements?

 

[mrdarcy]

Sounds very similar to the set up one of my friend's has exception rather than a pad made from concrete it's hardcore, heavily rolled with a pea gravel topping. Works brillantly - I'd love something exactly like it but I only rent my fields and landlord will not spend any money!