Field Shelter

[seoirse]

I think I've decided to get my horse a field shelter. Previous horse was a numpty and wouldn't have gone in it but new boy is sensible and I am sure he will use it.

My budget is around £1000 and it doesn't need to be a massive shelter, horse is only 15.3hh. I can collect if necessary but would prefer someone to deliver it if possible. Can anyone recommend any companies?

Also, you hear all these horror stories about them blowing away/over, which scares the life out of me. One of the other liveries at our place has a field shelter very close to where mine would be, and hers has withstood the wind on our hill for the last 3 winters so providing I use the same anchoring methods that she has used I should be ok.

Any thoughts/advice would be great - thanks.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Will you have a problem with your council if the shelter is not mobile?

In the event you get a mobile one, make sure the skids are galvanised steel. Not only do they last longer, but they add a considerable amount of weight to the shelter. We have 4 mobiles, 3 of which have galv. steel skids. We are on the side of a valley and we've never had a problem with wind blowing them over or moving them in any way, despite the fact that they are not anchored. The one we have with wooden skids is showing signs of rot, and it's only 3 years old.

We went with the mobile shelters because they didn't require planning permission. We never move our shelters, even though we can if necessary. The problem is we have very little level ground on which to place the shelters. I'm loathe to bring in heavy machinery to level other areas because of the fear of churning up the soil in the paddocks.

The company we've used in the past is Direct Sectional in Lancashire. They did not produce the wooden skid shelter (I went to eBay for that one and was ripped off royally!). Since most of my shelters have to face north, I had them make the opening offset from the centre. I also had them cut 3' square window openings...one next to the door opening and one on the west elevation. That way, there is more light inside and a good exchange of air in the warmer weather. I find that the horses use the shelters daily in the summer. They can get out of the sun and go in to get away from the flies. In winter, I put perspex panels in the window openings to cut the draught.

I would think a 15.3hh horse would be comfortable in a 10' x 16' shelter, maybe less. If you are able to have a static shelter it would be less expensive.

Good luck.

 

[seoirse]

Many thanks for your reply. I'm told by the girl in the field next door that planning is not an issue but I will certainly check before I purchase anything as I'd rather be sure. The DS ones do look the business and are more expensive but they look worth it. I guess once I've got confirmation on the planning then I'll have more of an idea but to be honest I'm tempted to fork out a bit more and get the mobile one anyway as it might be useful to be able to move it plus as you say the added weight of the skids will help anchor it.
Many thanks for the help.