converting a chalk floored barn (also in stable management forum)

[coffeeandabagel]

I am hoping to move to yard where they are converting an old barn into stables, but without using prefabricated stables, just using whats around or whats free or cheap.

I have seen previous posts on here saying how brilliant chalk is as a stable floor. What bedding works best - these are going to be very big stables. At the moment its in pretty good condition but with the occasional rock in it! I have some mats - but with 2 stables to fit out I couldn't afford to do more than the doorways.

What height should partitions be for 17 hh horses. At the moment the main partition between stables is about 3ft6 high - what would be good to add another 4ft height.

Currently there is a 5 bar gate with plastic / rubber ?? rabbit netting (or sheep netting) over it. What else can be used to make this safer and warmer.

Picture of your home converted barns would be most welcome!!

 

[CBFan]

My boy was previously in an ex cattle pen which was divided with scaffold poles. I didn't feel this was particularly safe so my dad prefabricated some panels for me using ply wood ( a bit like stud walls) that we affixed to this.

Some bits were just single sheets of ply affixed with cable ties / baler twine like this

Stable looked like this:

any questions, please ask

 

[sport horse]

Personally I would not put rubber mats over chalk. The benefits of chalk are that it:
1. Drains the moisture away and rubber would stop this.
2. Is warmer than concrete
3. Is pretty non slip.

I have used it for many years with both straw and shavings as bedding. The chalk forms a fairly hard base and we are able to muck out normally. I try not to sweep it too often as you will gradually erode the surface but you can easily rake up the bits or use a wood shaving fork to gather up the smaller bits of muck.

You can clad a gate with hardboard very successfully.

Walls between horses are best solid and high enough to stop them touching over the top. Grill type partitions are often used but many horses will not get any peace from a 'pestering neighbour' or not want to go near the wall if the next door horse is pulling faces etc etc.

 

[LittleBlackMule]

The floors in our barn are mostly chalk, and I love it; hardly any wet to clear out in the morning. I use straw.