Has anyone ever built their own stables?

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Patchworkpony

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We have decided to build two small stables (in the garden) from scratch, with help from our very capable and strong handyman/gardener. The reason for this is that to fit where we want them to go they will have to be a slightly bespoke size and shape and the quotes I have had are far too expensive for just two little pony stables. We also need to cement all the uprights into the ground rather than put a building on a base - this is because we can get high winds here and I think normal stables might be blown away. So any ideas, advice, plans and photos would be more than welcome. We already have the tack room and hay store so those are not a problem - just the stables which will be approx 10 x 9, for miniatures.
 
My friends OH jst built two lovely new stables on our place, for the same reason as you we didnt buy off the shelf so to speak but to be honest its worked out ALOT more expensive! Wood is not cheap! So well over 1000 spent on 2 stables and thats not inc the kickboards and rubber matting which luckily we already have and weve yet to flag the outside of the stables yet! (were hoping we can find some freebies! Lol)
 
Really! Is that inc labour though? (we got free labour lol) we looked at alot of these prefab type stables on ebay and for what we spent we could have got two stables+tackshed. The vost will be around 2k by the time finishing touches are all done but feel like weve got a bargain now and ours are lovely, infact i dont want to put my horse in it incase he trashes it! :D
 
I built a stable on a budget and its not the prettiest thing but is sturdy and does a great job.
We bought however off ebay a double stable on skids foe £1400 this included kick boards and erection. we then removed the bottom door and replaced it with a top door for our little shetland. perfect!
They are the flat roof ones so unsuitable for bigger horses.
 
I think your quote is v v good. Just had three stables built - well converted really from existing derelict stable block - so foundations plus three walls (although work needed doing - taking down and rebuilding part of wall). Finished job well over 10k.

I looked at 'Jon Williams' stable company at badminton - as I need a field shelter. They do stables too. They looked very well built so may be worth a look.
 
poiuytrewq said:
we then removed the bottom door and replaced it with a top door for our little shetland. perfect!
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What a fab idea. I used a small wooden five bar gate when I discovered one of mine didn't like not being able to see out, never thought of that! I always think about them being able to see out now but I don't have stables any more so no longer a problem.
 
We built some Shetland stables at home. They don't have a concrete base so technically aren't fixed to avoid planning permission. They are made from the thickest plywood you could buy, big thick square straining posts for the 4 corners, ply wood on the roof with onjuline (or however it is spelt! The corregated material stuff!) over it. They have lasted 6 years so far with only 1 wall being replaced do to a sweatitch pony breaking it. You make everything the size you want.
 
EKW said:
We built some Shetland stables at home. They don't have a concrete base so technically aren't fixed to avoid planning permission. They are made from the thickest plywood you could buy, big thick square straining posts for the 4 corners, ply wood on the roof with onjuline (or however it is spelt! The corregated material stuff!) over it. They have lasted 6 years so far with only 1 wall being replaced do to a sweatitch pony breaking it. You make everything the size you want.
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Thanks for that info - our would be for shetlands.
 
Of course they need to see out: we had a tiny on on box rest and made a half height slot-in door which worked fine.
Also have plenty of natural daylight, and ventilation.
You might be able to source good wood from a second hand place, probably best thing is to buy second hand stables and beef up with new wood. if concreting in posts, I would only use wood pressure treated with preservative as they can't be replaced easily, good home built stabling should last many years.
I am not convinced many need top doors, but they look odd without.
 
I am a human magpie! I got my timber stables (2No 12'x12'+tack room) free for removal a few years ago and re-erected it on a mini concrete block wall foundations. I'm now 74 so if I can do it, anyone can. It is easy to replace any rotten/broken wooden timbers. Search the free ads and post some wanted ads. There are people out there who want to get rid of what they see as rubbish. Even the box section sheets for the roof were a cancelled order in an odd size the suppliers had difficulty selling so I got a big discount! I just used the odd extra length to create an overhang. Judge for yourself! Forgot to say I'm in the Scottish Highlands in a very windy spot. It hasn't blown away yet.

Full details here:

http://www.morrichhighlandponies.co.uk/newprojects.htm
 
Dry Rot said:
I am a human magpie! I got my timber stables (2No 12'x12'+tack room) free for removal a few years ago and re-erected it on a mini concrete block wall foundations. I'm now 74 so if I can do it, anyone can. It is easy to replace any rotten/broken wooden timbers. Search the free ads and post some wanted ads. There are people out there who want to get rid of what they see as rubbish. Even the box section sheets for the roof were a cancelled order in an odd size the suppliers had difficulty selling so I got a big discount! I just used the odd extra length to create an overhang. Judge for yourself! Forgot to say I'm in the Scottish Highlands in a very windy spot. It hasn't blown away yet.

Full details here:

http://www.morrichhighlandponies.co.uk/newprojects.htm
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I was just going to say very similar, scavenge everything you can!
Also, I hope you don't mind me saying this Dry Rot, but whenever I read your posts I can't help but liken you to the scottish woman who owned the trekking centre in Patricia Leitch's Jinny books (in a good way :) ) You always seem very capable :)
 
If you need to cement posts into the ground have a look at the short concrete fence posts that you then attach the wooden posts to with carriage bolts. They will never rot and it is so easy to replace the wooden part if you need to.
 
Maria13 said:
I was just going to say very similar, scavenge everything you can!
Also, I hope you don't mind me saying this Dry Rot, but whenever I read your posts I can't help but liken you to the scottish woman who owned the trekking centre in Patricia Leitch's Jinny books (in a good way :) ) You always seem very capable :)
Click to expand...

I really am very mean and don't like spending money at all so tend to do quite a lot myself! I only realise how old I am when I see my friend's children (growing like weeds, of course) -- so try not to look!

BTW, relieved to read that is "in a good way"! :D
 
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