Constructing stables in open fronted barn

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AppleBon12

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Hi all haven’t posed for a little while. We are looking at building stables in our open fronted barn, it’s big enough for at least 3 12 x 14 stables still allowing for overhang and a store room for feed, hay, straw etc. The floor is concrete and we would need to building complete shells as the existing walls will hopefully form part of our new house (fingers crossed) just want to keep any bums or hooves off the house walls haha!
My question is the distance from floor to roof is very high (can easily fit farm machinery in there without coming close to the top. So would you put a form of roof on top of the stables? Or would you leave them open? We are relatively sheltered from the wind but my usual worrying self if thinking the stables could then be very cold as there are no doors to the barn?

Hope this all makes sense! TIA x
 
I’m no expert, but I think as long as the actual stables are draught free (so no draughts around their legs and bodies) then a good flow of air above them is a good thing. Mine spent a winter livery in a huge barn, open at the front and one side but were cosy and warm with plenty of bedding and sensible rugging. It’s when stables are stuffy that you get problems.
 
I wouldn't be too concerned, I spent many years in similar stables where an open fronted agricultural barn (that faced into the wind!) was separated into 12 x 12 stables with gates. They were slightly cold stables as so open, but the horses did well in them. We had galebreaker blinds to pull down when the weather was blowing rain into the stables - might be worth looking into depending on your set up, as they kept the airflow but stopped the rain & snow getting in.
 
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didnt have roofs put in mine and they are fine-well ventilated! we get the occasional night when temp drops like a stone in them (not on windy days) on still, cold nights but horses cope well with cold. galebreakers are a good idea if you can if you think they are needed to stop wet blowing in-mine are set back though so not an issue.
 
Our stables are inside an open fronted barn and they work brilliantly. They are built of breeze block and are about chest height on me (5'4"). Horses can talk over the wall which isn't a problem as they get on. Not sure how great it would be if they didn't though!!
 
There shouldn't be any issue with drafts etc, you shouldn't need a roof. When building each stable DO NOT use breeze blocks as above poster says they have. Breeze blocks are not strong, they crumble very easily. Use concrete blocks, they will withstand the rigours of having a horses kicking them whether they are in a mood or caste & trying to get up.
 
Where we livery we have a stable in a high barn and we are very high up on the edge of the Cotswolds. Once you are in the stable there are no draughts at all and it is very cosy. Solid construction to the top of the door and at the front then grilles around front and adjoining box so horses can see one another. Solid wood on back and outside edge, I guess we are about 6 feet in from the front of the barn. Doesn't get dusty and has a good air circulation.
 
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Another vote for not putting a roof on your stables. I've got some in an open fronted barn and I much prefer them to my other traditional stables as they are sooooo much cooler in the summer.
 
We used IAE and 8 years on they still look great. Went for the plastic 'wood' option and having just jet washed them all out, they look spotless again. Photo from construction phase.....

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Toby_Zaphod said:
There shouldn't be any issue with drafts etc, you shouldn't need a roof. When building each stable DO NOT use breeze blocks as above poster says they have. Breeze blocks are not strong, they crumble very easily. Use concrete blocks, they will withstand the rigours of having a horses kicking them whether they are in a mood or caste & trying to get up.
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I think ours are concrete blocks not breeze blocks!!
 
nikicb said:
We used IAE and 8 years on they still look great. Went for the plastic 'wood' option and having just jet washed them all out, they look spotless again. Photo from construction phase.....

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nikicb - we are looking at something similar to these, your's are lovely!! Silly question but did yours coming with fixing plates to secure them to the ground?
 
aston08 said:
nikicb - we are looking at something similar to these, your's are lovely!! Silly question but did yours coming with fixing plates to secure them to the ground?
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Thank you - they are great and easy to maintain etc. Yes they are fixed to the ground as well as to the back walls as we don't have the issue you do about keeping an air gap between the two. Basically the chap from IAE came round and measured everything and a few weeks later all the bits were sent out. We had someone to construct them for us, but only requires someone handy rather than being a specialist job. As far as I can remember, everything for construction (bolts etc.) came with the kit. I didn't get any other quotes at the time as it all seemed reasonably priced with a price for each standard part and bespoke part. Our barn is 48' x 12' which means it divided down nicely into 12'x12's and there weren't many bespoke parts.
 
nikicb said:
We used IAE and 8 years on they still look great. Went for the plastic 'wood' option and having just jet washed them all out, they look spotless again. Photo from construction phase.....

35d1bw2.jpg
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I was going to suggest the metal framed type stables like this I think they are better than building with concrete blocks and they can be moved if need be, I have been in a few places with these and I think they make brilliant stables so easy to keep clean.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I was going to suggest the metal framed type stables like this I think they are better than building with concrete blocks and they can be moved if need be, I have been in a few places with these and I think they make brilliant stables so easy to keep clean.
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Agreed. They are also chew proof and have no edges for horses to rub or get caught on. One of mine in particular seems to end up with cuts and scrapes when in any sort of wooden stable, so they are especially ideal for him. :)
 
nikicb said:
We used IAE and 8 years on they still look great. Went for the plastic 'wood' option and having just jet washed them all out, they look spotless again. Photo from construction phase.....

35d1bw2.jpg
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Yes our stables are IAE also. Also have the plastic wood and would recommend it. I thought I was looking at ours until I saw your end box at right angles. In our barn that is where the cows live!!
 
I also have the IAE stables with plastic boards, far superior to wood and worth the extra costs. One open fronted barn has 14'x14's and the other barn has 12'x12's.
 
sport horse said:
Concrete blocks and back fill with metal rods and concrete. Bitter experience!!
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As above but to help know what to buy they are called 9" hollows which you than do the above metal rods & backfill. We have laid over 2000 of them this summer so know what to ask for. They make tractor/ horse safe walls.
 
Ahrena said:
Niki I never realised/noticed it's not real wood!
So very realistic too (or I am unobservant ��)
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:D :D :D

Double_choc_lab said:
Yes our stables are IAE also. Also have the plastic wood and would recommend it. I thought I was looking at ours until I saw your end box at right angles. In our barn that is where the cows live!!
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rabatsa said:
I also have the IAE stables with plastic boards, far superior to wood and worth the extra costs. One open fronted barn has 14'x14's and the other barn has 12'x12's.
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Definitely worth it for ease of maintenance. :)
 
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