Converting open fronted barn into stables

[JasperMilliePheonix]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience of converting a open fronted and open sided barn into stables? We have a 50ft wide by 15ft deep barn at our yard and are wanting to turn it into two large stables but not sure of the best way to go about it. Any idea's/advice greatfully received!

 

[PorkChop]

Our stables are converted garages, anything can be done!

What is the barn constructed from? Are you wanting to do it on a budget? What is the floor made of?

The easiest and a pretty cheap way, would be block walls on sides and middle partition to chest height. Same across the front with cladded gate, though you would need a full height post to hang the gate on tbh.

I have known people to use straw bales for walls and partitions.

Depends what you want, obviously the more money you spend, the smarter it will be.

 

[JanetGeorge]

It's been 12 years since I converted the derelict remains of a 40' x 20' lean-to - into my stallion block. 2x12x20 boxes and the middle one, 12x16 - with a covered area in front for feed supplies, headcollar racks etc. It was done with concrete blocks, onuldine sheeting (and some clear perspex sheeting for extra light. The boxes open onto the covered area in front - and one end box has a stable door to the outside too - extra ventilation etc. You can see all the pics at http://www.saddle-up.org/Stables/home-renovations-a.htm. It's worked well after some necessary improvements (idiot builder failed to put enough purlins in to support the onuldine.) He also didn't put enough support against the end walls - and my 17hh RID stallion pushed one wall over while scratching his bum, lol.

 

[turnbuckle]

What's the barn made out of? Modern? Old? Ancient? Sound roof? Concrete or earth floor?

Also may be a planning problem on change from agri to equi...

 

[turnbuckle]

PS With all that space, here's an idea: give each horse two stables, one as a bedroom, the other as a loo. Have never seen it done, but it woudl be really interesting to see if it worked.

Also, whatever you do, do design with boarded full width gates so that you can deep bed and muck out with a loader or bobcat or just a little tractor with a bucket. Now that's REAL labour saving.

 

[Goldenstar]

It's easily done remember if you use block or Brick you will need to take up the floor under the wall to lay a foundation to make sure the walls don't fall over when the horses push them .
Personally I would make two twenty ( or so ) long stables and leave a storage area for stuff , tie up etc.
You could also have them set back a bit with an internal wall for shelter if they are in an exposed location .
Have a drool at the monarch website .

 

[serenityjane]

"give each horse two stables, one as a bedroom, the other as a loo. Have never seen it done, but it woudl be really interesting to see if it worked.
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?740226-Converting-open-fronted-barn-into-stables#PJHiwx5RoLdoXCmL.99"
All ours have an open-door stable and a fenced larger (minimum of 3 x stable area) area in front- full beds in the stables and then a mucky straw area-in a suitable position (ie drainage and useable for mares/geldings) on mats outside for their toilet. Whilst most poos are done outside the stable, mine cannot seem to get to grips with weeing outside! Even when I tranfer the wet straw from inside to outside once they have weed!! They still return to the stable to wee.
And only this morning I found John our welsh pony companion cosily asleep -outside on the mucky toilet area!
It would be brilliant if it worked, and to be fair some horses are better than others, but I have never seen it fully working!