Cheapest option (stable)

[vhf]

I have a 'broken stable', not safe for equine use as one corner is wobbly and one wall is damp and bowed -and there's no door! It's concrete block attached to a granite shed. Corrugated roof (OK) and concrete floor (OK). Unlikely to be decent foundations. Builders look at it and suck their teeth. To date, cheapest option has been not to fix and say no more horses! But...
I want another horse.
My two live mostly out, but having 3 horses and 2 stables would be an issue on the rare times they need to come in (e.g. when the wet gets ridiculous). OH is not keen on spending money on a stable I'd rarely use for a horse I don't really need (and can't really afford to buy). I kind of see his point. So, what do I do? The sensible thing (no more horses) or...

I could a) knock down and start again, b) try to rebuild the broken bits (and door) or c) replace with a wooden stable. I have no clue what the relative costs are likely to be - but the more I spend, the less I have for a horse anyway... I don't have construction equipment/skills and I work full time so self-build not really an option, though I can assist. Option d) is get 2 more horses, so 2 can stay out! But I think that might be pushing it... Or is there an option e)?

 

[JBM]

All of them stay out and the 2 stables are just used for injuries?
Possibly a field shelter may be the best option?

 

[Boughtabay]

The energy of this post is cracking me up “should I fix my not enough stables for 3 horses issue, by having 4?!”. Fully meant in jest, I love the logic

If there’s enough coverage from the shed walls/roof that rain won’t blow in, you can make a box out of gates. Much cheaper and if you decide you don’t need it anymore … you’ve got useful gates! My 2 “stables” are made half mesh gates with livestock boarding along the sides to block the wind. OH was happy for me to have them in his shed as he’s eyeing up the gates for the future I think

 

[vhf]

All of them stay out and the 2 stables are just used for injuries?

Well that's almost how it would work but - if 1 is on box rest, 1 comes in to keep it company, then the other is out alone... they are out with natural shelter until the wet gets ridiculous, 12 nights (and 1 day!) in last winter, 20 the one before. Field shelter would work if I had 2 staying out...

 

[JBM]

The logical solution defo seems to be 4

 

[Glitter's fun]

Mud mats , live out 24/7 natives and have as many as you fancy .
If they're all the same colour OH won't even notice the occasional new arrival.

 

[vhf]

The energy of this post is cracking me up “should I fix my not enough stables for 3 horses issue, by having 4?!”. Fully meant in jest, I love the logic

If there’s enough coverage from the shed walls/roof that rain won’t blow in, you can make a box out of gates. Much cheaper and if you decide you don’t need it anymore … you’ve got useful gates! My 2 “stables” are made half mesh gates with livestock boarding along the sides to block the wind. OH was happy for me to have them in his shed as he’s eyeing up the gates for the future I think

Well it's a horse forum not a DIY one!!! (I am not daft enough to post somewhere where they'd say listen to the sensible OH).
Mm. Sadly not. The wobbly corner takes the full brunt of the weather.

 

[vhf]

Mud mats , live out 24/7 natives and have as many as you fancy .
If they're all the same colour OH won't even notice the occasional new arrival.

OH can only tell 'brown horses' and 'splodgy horses'. (Correctly identifying all greys as 'splodgy') but there are no natives I can ride being ahem, well made, and with dodgy hips - TBs are my preference.

 

[Widgeon]

I would replace it with a sturdy field shelter that has a gated front. Then you can use it as a stable or as a general store....that might mollify your OH, if it has possible alternative uses for one day when you don't have so many horses?

 

[vhf]

My 2 “stables” are made half mesh gates with livestock boarding along the sides to block the wind. OH was happy for me to have them in his shed as he’s eyeing up the gates for the future I think

I am having a think if there's a way to modify this idea somehow... hmm...

 

[vhf]

if it has possible alternative uses for one day when you don't have so many horses?

When there's a WHAT?

 

[vhf]

I would replace it with a sturdy field shelter that has a gated front.

No space for a full open-able gate, but I hadn't considered taking out the one side completely and having a door-sized gate and a half-sized wall... somehow... except it would need somethign to stop the rain driving in...

 

[marmalade76]

I would have what's there repaired.

 

[9tails]

Can you turn the dodgy stable into an open structure with the corrugated roof and turn the whole area into a holding pen? That way, if they want shelter they can get it.

 

[vhf]

Can you turn the dodgy stable into an open structure with the corrugated roof and turn the whole area into a holding pen? That way, if they want shelter they can get it.

Possibly, but it's not ideal as the wind whips round that end - might lift the entire roof off... It was my first plan until I'd spent a winter here...

 

[Mrs G]

If it’s not safe for equine use, I’d argue it’s not safe full stop; it’s only going to get worse over time so I’d bite the bullet and get it repaired. Then it’s a safe, dry space and could be used for storage of all sorts (including another horse if that’s what you decide)!

 

[AmyMay]

If it’s not safe for equine use, I’d argue it’s not safe full stop; it’s only going to get worse over time so I’d bite the bullet and get it repaired. Then it’s a safe, dry space and could be used for storage of all sorts (including another horse if that’s what you decide)!

This.

 

[vhf]

If it’s not safe for equine use, I’d argue it’s not safe full stop; it’s only going to get worse over time so I’d bite the bullet and get it repaired. Then it’s a safe, dry space and could be used for storage of all sorts (including another horse if that’s what you decide)!

There you see, I've been trying that argument for a while now, but it keeps being countered by 'well don't go in there then' and 'as soon as it's dry and safe you'll put a horse in there'. Both reasonable responses, just not what I want to hear! It currently holds half-used paint, lawnmower, BBQ, bits of wood, odd wellies...

 

[vhf]

I would have what's there repaired.

I think most people reckon repair would be cheaper than rebuild or replace with wooden...? But. Is repair cheaper than buying horse number 4 and avoiding the need for a stable altogether?

 

[Widgeon]

Is repair cheaper than buying horse number 4 and avoiding the need for a stable altogether?

Erm - are you sure you really want an answer to that?

​

 

[vhf]

Erm - are you sure you really want an answer to that?

​

Darnit

 

[Mrs G]

It would be awful if the wobbly corner suffered further damage in the harsh winter weather vhf (wink, wink).

 

[PeterNatt]

Just get planning consent for a nice new stable block, feed shed and tack room.

 

[I'm Dun]

Id get 2 horses,a riding one and a small hassle free one,then get a big field shelter with a gate on it in the field. They can use it when its hot as well as cold and with a gate across and a partion that folds out you have 2 temporary stables, and 2 equines to fill them

 

[honetpot]

If you have never used Galebreaker its amazing, I have some that is over twenty years old, and unless its one the floor and the mice get at it,it seems to last forever. MIne started out as a T shaped windbreak in an exposed large field.

Weather protection, cooling and access solutions I Galebreaker

Market-leading weather protection, access and ventilation solutions for agricultural, commercial and industrial businesses.

galebreaker.com

I bought mine buy the metre

I would use metaposts and make a coral, batton on your Galebreaker on the outside, and put a couple of gates at the front. Stables and fied shelters are only as good as the wood they are made from, you need at least 22mm thickness.

 

[Widgeon]

If you have never used Galebreaker its amazing

This stuff looks incredible.

 

[SilverLinings]

Could you and OH build a replacement? Funnily enough I was looking at this book in Waterstones recently and the steps are broken down so well that it looks easily doable, you'd just need a bigger doorway (and you could re-use the roof and any useable wood):

Amazon.co.uk

Or if that seems too much like hard work then just buy a fourth horse as others have suggested

 

[vhf]

This stuff looks incredible.

I agree. That's got me thinking about a whole other project!!

 

[vhf]

It would be awful if the wobbly corner suffered further damage in the harsh winter weather vhf (wink, wink).

Been thinking the same...

 

[vhf]

Could you and OH build a replacement? Funnily enough I was looking at this book in Waterstones recently and the steps are broken down so well that it looks easily doable, you'd just need a bigger doorway (and you could re-use the roof and any useable wood):

Amazon.co.uk

Or if that seems too much like hard work then just buy a fourth horse as others have suggested

I'm thinking OH might get that for Christmas...