building a field shelter

[05kitty93]

Hi,

I would really appreciate some advice on building a field shelter the land is only rented so don't want to spend a great deal on it but want it workable and offer good shelter for 2/3 15 hh cobs during all wind and weathers. Will I need a hardstanding or will one without work perfectly well?

If u have built one or had one built how long did it take, how much and any pix??

Thanks
Ruth x

 

[JoBird]

Hiya, you could sink in some uprights (ideally in concrete) and then perhaps use either plywood or fence panels to make the sides economically. A Plywood roof covered in shed felt roofing would be the cheapest or splash out on some onduline sheets. I dont like metal corrugated sheets because if they blow off they are VERY sharp and could injure people/horses badly.

You definitely need some kind of base or it will just become a sloppy bog. You could put down stones/crushed concrete then put rubber mats or field mats on top. I appreciate that you cant use concrete as its only rented plus the Planning Authority will probably object if you do!

Ideally put some guttering on the roof or it will pour off and make the field even more boggy. If you run it off into a water but it will save you carrying water to them as well!

Best of luck and we look forward to pictures.

 

[squirtlysmum]

Be very careful and have a look at your local councils planning page as if it could be classified as a permanent building it will need planning permission ie its not portable.

 

[LiveryList]

My husband built me one when i had rented land, albeit smaller think it was only about 8' x 10' but was totally wooden construction. Heavy duty wood frame clad with softwood timber and a corrugated plastic roof. Four sided with large opening on the fourth side. Think it cost about £500 in materials to make. We had no floor in there only the grass. We also made it on runners (very easy to do) so we could move it if the inside became too boggy but we used it for all sorts- hay store, tying up area etc. I have seen alot recently where peple just drive large poles into the ground and then cover three sides with Tarpaulin. Noisy i am sure but i shoudl think it is very cheap and does the job!

 

[05kitty93]

Thanks all for ur advice which has been very much appreciated.

 

[WelshD]

You have to be so careful with shelters even if it's your own land. You normally have to have a moveable shelter on skids, you are supposed to move them every so many months although of course most people don't! I've heard of some pedantic councils asking people to actually move them though

For flooring inside your shelter you could use rubber mats or those grass mats with the holes in

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

be aware even putting hardcore down on the floor counts as groundworks requiring permission ie no longer counted as exempt temporary shelter, so safest to stick to rubber mats (also you can take those if you move, and hardcore is expensive to get shipped in).

Whatever you build but especially if made on a budget eg fence panels etc, ensure you make a gap on the top of the back wall/wall that backs onto the wind. It will massively help to ensure that gales blow through and out the top of the shelter instead of lifting the whole thing up and away and will also make a through breeze on a hot day (which is actually when more shelters are actually used, in horrid weather horses often just use them as windbreaks but stand outside.