Building stable in field - things to consider

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kat2290

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I am hoping I'm going to be able to build a small stable plus hay store and feed room in our field this year. Our field is a bit tricky as it is all on a slope, the area where it will be built is the flattest part but will still need a mini digger to come in and level it slightly. My idea is to make the stable 12x9 at least, hopefully 12x10 if the space allows, but I'm not really sure for the hay store and feed etc, I only want to be able to store about 20 bales at a time and have space for a few feed bins and tack etc.

I do not currently have a horse, only two minis, but we are doing other work on our land so this is an ideal time for us to make changes in the field. I want to build something future proof as I would like to be in the position in the next couple of years to have my own pony/horse. Plus I'm sure in the mean time my minis would appreciate a cosy stable! And at the moment I do not have anywhere to store hay during the winter so that would be helpful for me.

What practical things do I need to consider? What size space do you think for the hay/feed store? All ideas welcome :) and if you have any pictures if your own field stables please share :D
 
We're just in the middle of doing what you plan above, but we've put up a steel portal framed building, 20ft by 20ft which gives me room for a 12x12 stable, 8ftx 12 tack room and an 8 foot covered alleyway.

The most important thing to think about (according to OH) is the drainage system, having enough downspouts, and future proofing for further expansion. We'll be adding another two 20ft bays in future which will give us a bigger feed room space, 2 more stables and a kennel for our collie!
 
Oh how exciting! Do you have any pics mid build?

Drainage wise for ours we have a beck that runs behind where the stable will be so plan is to have all rainwater draining in to there.

I think I will be building mine out of wood :)

Did you struggle with planning at all?
 
Yep I know about planning, forgot to mention it in first post!

Size wise, I think if I ever do get a horse or pony it will more likely be a pony and if it was a horse I can't imagine I would go for something over 15.2 ...I've been looking at previous threads about stable size and a lot of people say 12x10 would suffice. I really think we'd struggle to fit 12x12 in due to stupid layout/slope of field :(
 
Plan as big an overhang as you can - great when the weather is bad and for vet/farrier visits

You could just put up a double stable and use one for hay and feed. A field shelter which can be used as 2 stables or 1 stable and feed room may give you most flexibility.

I would go for a 24x12 building if you can

Make sure it is good quality and will stand up to the weather

Getting the foundations right is also key and as others have said the drainage

Have a look at some on the web- saltire do a good field shelter which may meet your needs and the quality is good

Good luck
 
You will hate me for saying this but go and stand in a 10 by 12 ft room for 12 hours then imagine you are a 15.2 horse ! ....one way round it may be to have the small stable you suggested but with hardstanding in front to act as an extension to stable so door of stable always open so pony can move about. Also remember to put membrane down before stone otherwise stone will sink and grass will grow up through. Sleepers are great for mounting stables in too !
 
Thanks I will look at saltire :) definitely going for a big overhang and in also thinking I will have The concrete based stepped out so its under the overhang too.

How much ventilation do I need in the room where the hay is?
 
The idea with the stable really is that it will be less of a stable and more of a shelter so to speak, so they would be able to come and go as they place. It would only really be used as a stable as a worst case scenario ie. box rest or as a dry place for me to groom etc
 
I have my stables in the field, next to the house.
We have a 24 x 12 concrete yard, gated, so each horse has his own patio....

Pros: Easy access to get electric and water to them
Can be left open and used as field shelter
If one horse has to be kept in, he can see companions.

Cons: Can only get vehicles up to them when dry
Can get muddy (does) just outside the concrete.
Riding out, means leading through said mud

But they are sooo handy if you turn out in summertime you know the horses can please themselves as to going in or not.
 
I'm getting so excited thinking about it!! :o

We are also getting a new access route put in the field which I can't wait for! At the minute to get animals in and out of the field we have to walk through my in laws garden, literally down the garden path and past various overgrown bushes and trees...it is far from ideal and as a result I don't often take the ponies out. I can't wait to be able to get them in and out with ease!!!
 
I'll try and get some pics when it has stopped raining. Mine is just outside the house too, we did apply for planning as it is slightly forward of the front aspect of the house itself, but when the planners came out to look at the site they said they wouldn't have bothered with the application, and that we would have been fine without it! So the planning experience was easy in our experience - however it does force you to plan the actual structure properly so perhaps worth going through a mock plan anyway, just to make sure you have thought of everything. We have a drain inside the stables themselves that run just inside the door, covered by a grill, and will slightly slope the concrete towards it to get rid of urine, and also for when swilling down - perhaps something else to think about.

Also water - we've added points for the tack room sink and washing machine (yey!), automatic drinkers, and standpipes at either end of the building (with drains below). The pipes themselves are going to be underground to help with insulation and aesthetics. Just need the panels for the front and side (tack room will be solid walls for security (and have a proper security door) with no windows, and a roof.

My pony is as excited as we are - she can't wait for it to be finished and keeps going and standing inside it, even though the floor is all heaps of stone (if it was any other pony they wouldn't be allowed in but she is very careful). The floor is being levelled this weekend and then concreting can commence!
 
Hi, We took on a bare field about 2/3 years ago and have budget built a little yard on it.
My feed shed it a tiny metal garden shed which we stood on railway sleepers in a un-useable wasted little corner, Free's up space in my hay store and fits 4 feedbins and a chest of drawers with shelves on top to store loads of stuff.
Hay store is approx. 10x10 I have at a push had 45 small bales of hay and two round straws in there but it was a nightmare and difficult to get at stuff- also keep tools and use it to dry rugs etc.
We actually bought a 24x12 unit on skids (no planning!) unfortunately when you see buildings like this advertised its an outside measurement and they are smaller on the inside, My 14.3 and 15.2 are happy in them and look fine but we had to build a bigger one for my horse.
The main issue with this one is rain water! last year was a disaster and cost me a fortune. Its on a hard solid but dirt floor with mats over top but I find in heavy prolonged rain it drains down off the field and up through the floor soaking my bed so this is definitely something to bear in mind.
Give as big a overhang as you possibly can and consider which direction the worst weather will come from. I think our completely home made stable cost about £100 but we recycled a fair bit of rubbish found in the field when we moved in (tin for roofing etc)
 
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