building my own stables!!!!!! tips + advice please? :)

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sophiebailey

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Hiiiiii everyone!

Exciting times, getting a 3 acre field with free reign to build stables on!

So between me, my dad, his friends who are carpenters and my friend who is a builder, we're going to build two stables!

If you've ever built your own stables I'd love to hear your tips. We've never done this before so any and all advice welcomed, don't want to overlook something and create problems for myself!

Thanks HHO'ers :) strawberry jam on toast + a cup of tea for all! Xxx
 
Lucky you.

For a start:

*Drainage
*prevailing wind
*Water, if you have it have taps INSIDE.
*windows at back/sides .
*hardstanding is vital
*widest overhang you can afford
*have fencing around stables so that it can be used as a small turnout pen.
*Wide doors to storage area
 
We have just finished ours using scaffolding planks which worked really well and looks much smarter than it sounds! But these were in an already standing shed - not sure if you are starting completely from scratch? Breeze blocks are good too :)
 
lockable area for all tack/gear
build quality! it needs to last... bolt together or build from scratch?
size/shape
easy acesses!
 
On tab before couldn't elaborate:

Do not stint on a good base and the best drainage you can afford.

Put up gutters and down pipes leading away from building, downpipes also useful for collecting rainwater.

Clear panelling on roof - if your budget permits put at least one panel in, it will make a huge difference.

Size, remember that the interior size of a stable will be at least 6" smaller than the base, so laying a 12' x 12' base, for example, will not give you a 12' x 12' stable.
 
No protruding wooden edges that can be chewed. Chew strips around the whole top half of the door frame, I have water piped to each stable with a tap in each corner and a piece of hose off tap to buckets in wall racks, godsend!
 
Enfys said:
Lucky you.

For a start:

*Drainage
*back to prevailing wind
*Water, if you have it have taps INSIDE.
*windows at back/sides .
*hardstanding is vital
*widest overhang you can afford
*have fencing around stables so that it can be used as a small turnout pen.
*Wide doors to storage area
Click to expand...

To add to this:
Easy access to muck heap from yard.
Easy access to stables with vehicle for unloading hay/bedding (and in the rare, but sad unforseen need to remove an animal)
Even more hardstanding.
 
if i were building my stables too id incorporate hard standing fenced in outside the stables so you can open doors and let them wander in bad weather??


just a thought?


we know how bad britain weather is!!!
:)
 
I think it was me that suggested building with pallets. Our temporary stables were built with pallets. I would suggest concrete base, make your own doors, and I think it is concreted fibre we have on the roof instead of tin as it doesn't cause condensation and is cool in the summer and retains heat in the winter.
 
We converted an existing building 20 years ago, brick for about a third if the hieght, wood for the rest with a wooden roof with skylights. We only had time to concrete one floor before the horses had to come in, we then discovered that earth floors are much,. much better than concrete. They drain well, are better for feet and warmer altogether, we are actually wondering about taking up the concerte we put down!
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
yes was wondering why noon had mentioned this esp the posters talking about good bases - you cant build a base for a stable without PP.....
Click to expand...

Possibly because the OP saying they had 'free rein' to build stables indicated they have permission....of course that may not be the case but I can see why no one mentioned it

I agree with those who said dont stint on the base. A big overhang and outside hard standing would be next on my list
 
Always go for more hard standing than you think you need! And as others have said, put in the best drainage you can afford. Think carefully about location... Better in the highest point in the field so water drains away.
We built some at our old place and had half breeze block and then wooden panels. We used clear panels for half the roof - best investment we made!!!
 
Some sort of hard-base access to stables if they aren't right next to the gate. Nothing more soul destroying than having to trek through the mud to get to the stables/get feed/hay/supplies in.
 
Build the largest stables you can afford, remember that a 12' x 12' stable will actually only be around 11'02" on the inside when you take the outer boarding, the frame & the internal kick boards. If you have a large horse everytime they turn around in their stable they will churn the bed in a smallish stable. This is particularly important in this kind of weather when horses are staying in. Build them with decent size eaves so that when they stand at the stable door they don't get soaked by rain & always use guttering & good drainage to carry the water away from the area. Get the fall right on any concrete floors & standing area so you don't get water standing causing issues. You are in a position to get it right as it's a ne build, don't skimp on any of this & you'll regret it. Good Luck :)
 
Personally if I was building from scratch apart from the essentials that have been stated - hardstanding, drainage etc my nice to haves would be: windows at the back that are like a top stable door (had these before and they were a god send for a horse on box rest), a hardstanding area outside each stable with the ability to fence into pens for each stable and I would also make my stables 14x12 at least. Lucky you how exciting fingers crossed planners are kind to you :)
 
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