Building stables from scratch

[roshah]

Hi all...

I'm building a block of 4 stables plus tack room. My dad and his cousin are doing all the building work/joinery/plumbing etc.

Planning permission has been passed.

In terms of finishing out my stalls, am I forgetting anything, or is there anything you would consider adding if you were undertaking such a project?

Stalls are 15' x 15
Half door, tongue and groove timber on metal frame (7'8' x 4' wide) offset from centre
grill separating stables 1&2, 3&4, load bearing wall between 2&3
Slated ventilation windows
Self-filling water units (4 litre capacity)
Tie-up hooks outside each stable

Should I have concrete feeding units in the corner, or is it going to be handier to just bucket feed them as I do in the field?

In terms of paint, does anyone have recommendations of good non-toxic stuff?

ALSO if anyone has good recommendations for an equine superstore in Ireland/ Northern Ireland, I'd appreciate it. My local store has offered to order me in the items I need... but I think i might like to shop around a little for the finishings.

the stable block looks like this at the moment...

 

[Miss L Toe]

Make sure the water pipes are well insulated, also I would have the concrete flooring insulated, you can use glass bottles or egg boxes or other cheap re=cycled stuff.
Personally I would continue to use feed tubs, you can decide after a while.
I use smooth stone paint in white for breeze blocking. as it is hard wearing, most other coatings would need a smoother finish like cement rendering,
Not too sure about drainage, should it be in middle or in a corner.
I think I would rather have a corner for hay rather than use hay nets all the time.
Plenty of natural lighting and ventilation.
Re artificial lighting, I like to have an optional extra bulb socket for infra red heat lamp or a low light bulb in case you need to check an animal without disturbing them,,
Make sure the outside drains are really big, with water traps, blocked drains are a real pain,
You can buy really fancy big hinges, which can be painted, I think they look a bit special.
an external socket for clipping etc.
top of stable doors covered in metal to stop chewing
I would try Sadolin for protecting wood externally, or get pre treated timber.
Stable card outside doors to give breeding details etc of horse

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If you can afford it (theyre not cheap), invest in the cast iron drainage channel covers not the flimsy sharp edged clip in light silver covered ones. The cast irons ones stay put and you can drive a lorry over them, the normal type can 'ping out' if the horse treads on the corner and are pretty dangerous IMO. The cast iron ones also look MUCH smarter.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

oh yes and if you dont want your horse chewing poisons, stick to natural paints. For woodwork, OSMO Country Colour is amazing. Expensive per tin - you think when you buy it - but has massively higher percentage of actual paint solids in it so you need far fewer coats. One in most cases covers completely and second coat only needed if you want. It is linseed oil based so stretches and flexes with the weather, instead of cracking. (and we go down to -20 here!)