Building stables from metal gates

[MGKIRA]

I'm looking at moving my mare to a complete DIY yard where the turn out is much better suited to her needs. I really like the turn out to the point where it would be silly to turn it down as it's perfect for her. My only concern is that the stables are made up of metal gates that have been put up in a farm building (they are a lot bigger than standard sized stables and more like turn out pens). Normally this wouldn't concern me but she is known to kick out at next door if she is getting annoyed with the neighbour (quite mareish in the stable with other horses and likes her own space). Obviously I wouldn't risk her getting her legs caught in the gate and the yard owner has said she's happy for me to modify the stable to suit her needs.

Does anyone know how I would go about attaching some marine plywood to the gates so if she was to kick out she wouldn't get her leg stuck? Or even have any better ideas in how to modify this?

I really like everything else about the yard so hopefully we can figure something out to make this work.

 

[rabatsa]

I would buy some sheets of stockboard and use them instead of plywood.

 

[wills_91]

Would it be possible to get an end stable so she's only got one neighbour? And stockboard

 

[Spotherisk]

How tough is cow matting, would that make a good cover over the gates? More lightweight than stockboard.

 

[ihatework]

I’d say end of a row if possible so she can be fed not next to a neighbour.

If the gates are good solid ones they should hold stockboard fine. If slightly lighter weight then Eva might be better.

If still a little ansty you could try scaffold netting to heighten the divide.

 

[Fjord]

You could drill holes in whatever you use, then fix them to the gate with heavy duty cable ties. That should do the trick.

 

[Highmileagecob]

I have some heavy duty plastic boards that scaffolders use to gate off the end of a scaffold run. Fastened to the gate with heavy duty cable ties, they stop Old Dobbin putting his foot through the gate and lifting it off it's hinges. Beware of using anything heavy, as it will drop the gate and leave it dragging on the ground to close.

 

[MGKIRA]

Would it be possible to get an end stable so she's only got one neighbour? And stockboard

Yes it's the end one so would be able to feed and net on the other side.

 

[Exasperated]

I'm looking at moving my mare to a complete DIY yard where the turn out is much better suited to her needs. I really like the turn out to the point where it would be silly to turn it down as it's perfect for her. My only concern is that the stables are made up of metal gates that have been put up in a farm building (they are a lot bigger than standard sized stables and more like turn out pens). Normally this wouldn't concern me but she is known to kick out at next door if she is getting annoyed with the neighbour (quite mareish in the stable with other horses and likes her own space). Obviously I wouldn't risk her getting her legs caught in the gate and the yard owner has said she's happy for me to modify the stable to suit her needs.

Does anyone know how I would go about attaching some marine plywood to the gates so if she was to kick out she wouldn't get her leg stuck? Or even have any better ideas in how to modify this?

I really like everything else about the yard so hopefully we can figure something out to make this work.

Yes, had this exact same issue, also with silly little calves tangling themselves up.

Stokboard / Stokbord ( can’t remember spelling), it’s recycled plastic, can buy different dimension sheets, different width weights, can further cut / shape to size by sawing: you’d probably only need a fairly lightweight spec unless she’s known for double-barrelling.

It is widely used for exactly this purpose, and widely sold, they’ll be able to advise most suitable spec for whatever situation you describe.

Drill into the tubular metal gate spars at intervals and fix, from the INSIDE of her stable, using large, domehead screws, with washer plates between screws and Stokbord.

Absolutely brilliant, unless you have to open in a high wind, because obviously a bit like a sail. Plus, can have it fixed to hang below the gate to floor level, eliminating draughts, escaping bedding, or hooves sneaking through.

If yard owner is reluctant, buy the same Stokbord, put small holes through with a drill or soldering iron, and tie Stokbord to the metal gate spars as necessary.
Be careful with cable ties, or keep an eye on them, they seem to suddenly ‘give’, and the cut-off plastic ends will be quite sharp around the walls.

I really wouldn’t bother with plyboard, or any kind of wood for this, it’s too heavy, cumbersome to drill and line up, needs regular wood preserver, and livestock usually chew it. Stokboard - you just pressure wash at most, looks very clean and neat.

(Best gates for this kind of livestock penning don’t have any diagonal bracing spars, just verticals and horizontals, and preferably metal-meshed at the bottom, so even if animal does strike into the gate, chances of getting stuck or wounded are much less)

Sounds a great place for her!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Just board the gates with wood.

 

[Exasperated]

Yes, had this exact same issue, also with silly little calves tangling themselves up.

Stokboard / Stokbord ( can’t remember spelling), it’s recycled plastic, can buy different dimension sheets, different width weights, can further cut / shape to size by sawing: you’d probably only need a fairly lightweight spec unless she’s known for double-barrelling.

It is widely used for exactly this purpose, and widely sold, they’ll be able to advise most suitable spec for whatever situation you describe.

Drill into the tubular metal gate spars at intervals and fix, from the INSIDE of her stable, using large, domehead screws, with washer plates between screws and Stokbord.

Absolutely brilliant, unless you have to open in a high wind, because obviously a bit like a sail. Plus, can have it fixed to hang below the gate to floor level, eliminating draughts, escaping bedding, or hooves sneaking through.

If yard owner is reluctant, buy the same Stokbord, put small holes through with a drill or soldering iron, and tie Stokbord to the metal gate spars as necessary.
Be careful with cable ties, or keep an eye on them, they seem to suddenly ‘give’, and the cut-off plastic ends will be quite sharp around the walls.

I really wouldn’t bother with plyboard, or any kind of wood for this, it’s too heavy, cumbersome to drill and line up, needs regular wood preserver, and livestock usually chew it. Stokboard - you just pressure wash at most, looks very clean and neat.

(Best gates for this kind of livestock penning don’t have any diagonal bracing spars, just verticals and horizontals, and preferably metal-meshed at the bottom, so even if animal does strike into the gate, chances of getting stuck or wounded are much less)

Sounds a great place for her!

Sorry, should have been clear: on far side of metal spar, another washer plate and nut over the screw bolt, cutting off and smoothing any surplus. Thus secured from both sides.

 

[MGKIRA]

Yes, had this exact same issue, also with silly little calves tangling themselves up.

Stokboard / Stokbord ( can’t remember spelling), it’s recycled plastic, can buy different dimension sheets, different width weights, can further cut / shape to size by sawing: you’d probably only need a fairly lightweight spec unless she’s known for double-barrelling.

It is widely used for exactly this purpose, and widely sold, they’ll be able to advise most suitable spec for whatever situation you describe.

Drill into the tubular metal gate spars at intervals and fix, from the INSIDE of her stable, using large, domehead screws, with washer plates between screws and Stokbord.

Absolutely brilliant, unless you have to open in a high wind, because obviously a bit like a sail. Plus, can have it fixed to hang below the gate to floor level, eliminating draughts, escaping bedding, or hooves sneaking through.

If yard owner is reluctant, buy the same Stokbord, put small holes through with a drill or soldering iron, and tie Stokbord to the metal gate spars as necessary.
Be careful with cable ties, or keep an eye on them, they seem to suddenly ‘give’, and the cut-off plastic ends will be quite sharp around the walls.

I really wouldn’t bother with plyboard, or any kind of wood for this, it’s too heavy, cumbersome to drill and line up, needs regular wood preserver, and livestock usually chew it. Stokboard - you just pressure wash at most, looks very clean and neat.

(Best gates for this kind of livestock penning don’t have any diagonal bracing spars, just verticals and horizontals, and preferably metal-meshed at the bottom, so even if animal does strike into the gate, chances of getting stuck or wounded are much less)

Sounds a great place for her!

Thank you so much for taking the time to right this - it's definitely a good guide to follow!

She doesn't really double barrel - it's more of a squeal and a leg lift up!

 

[Exasperated]

Thank you so much for taking the time to right this - it's definitely a good guide to follow!

She doesn't really double barrel - it's more of a squeal and a leg lift up!

You’re welcome.
Speak to suppliers re best spec for you, a determined horse could probably kick a crack into the lighter weight Stokboard - same as could happen with woodwork - but it wouldn’t splinter like wood.
I think heavier gauge Stokbord would be very difficult to damage at all - but ask their advice - and good luck!