How big are wash bays

blitznbobs

blitznbobs

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Hi guys

So we're undertaking an über exciting project. We are currently in the process of building our own house in the middle of 15 acres of land. We are also building a barn to house the horses (and my hubbies car collection) were trying to plan it all out and I thought I'd measured everything but I want a dedicated wash bay for clipping/shoeing /vet etc etc I've seen loads of them on flash yards but how big are they? Anyone got one they could measure?? Thanks
 
I think you want one the same size as a standard stable - say 12x12, so that you can tie the horse in the centre and have room to wash him off, clip etc from both sides, and to walk around the back as well. I have a hay barn that is 13x11 that I plan to convert into one next year. You might get away with a bit narrower.

You have probably thought of this but if it's in a barn, consider the lighting carefully - for clipping and so on, much as I like doing it in a stable to stop hairs flying in the wind, it does mean that it's a lot harder to see what I am doing in the dim light in there. You either need really good windows, or strong enough lighting available in this area.
 
We're having lots of roof lights and Windows... Stables are having front and back doors and the wash bay will be the same so hopefully I won't be too hampered! (I don't like electric light for clipping but this too will be available)
 
Mines a big 12x12 with 4 electric sockets (outdoor ones so safe), rubber mats, a drain just outside and a tap. Just waiting for the horse shower to arrive 😁 then next purchase when I can will be solariums.

Wash box also used for grooming, farrier vets etc

I planned my stables myself too and although it's easy to go round someone elses stable block saying 'oh in wouldn't have it like that' it surprisingly hard to plan everything your self!
 
Mines 11m x12m. Definitely big enough. I have an electric shower in there, just a standard Miras one. Works great. I'm planning on some infra red lights too, seem to be able to get these very reasonably now
 
Not sure on size but consider the flooring... you need the right rubber so that it's not slippery when wet but some are very difficult to sweep clippy hairs off!
 
Asha said:
Mines 11m x12m. Definitely big enough. I have an electric shower in there, just a standard Miras one. Works great. I'm planning on some infra red lights too, seem to be able to get these very reasonably now
Click to expand...

That's practically an indoor school :D

Careful with standard electric showers in unheated buildings folks. If they freeze with water in, they'll stop working. They would need to drain, so anywhere with positive water pressure is a problem. Two friends lost them last year because of this.
 
think the one at my yard is 9x12 feet - solarium on one side, hot water shower on the other, plus a covered electrical socket for clipping. my two 17.3/18 handers fit in side-by-side just fine but it can be a little awkward turning to get them both in.
the floor is concrete and slightly sloped so water runs off straight into a covered drain.

i've never had any issues with sedated horses slipping/falling, personally. With rubber, it might be a pain to keep clean if clipping and trying to brush all the hair away, unless you hose it off and try to collect the hair before it goes down the drain?
 
Depends how many horses your planing to have in the wash box area at one time (?). You want it wide enough to work around the horse(s), but not too wide that it makes cross ties too long and gives too much space for fidgety horses to move around.
 
ycbm said:
That's practically an indoor school :D

Careful with standard electric showers in unheated buildings folks. If they freeze with water in, they'll stop working. They would need to drain, so anywhere with positive water pressure is a problem. Two friends lost them last year because of this.
Click to expand...

Oops ! Having a blonde moment . Meant 11 x 12 ft !! My shower has been in for 3 years now and not a problem. It's insulated well. A friend has the same set up and hers has been without problem for 5 years.

The floor is concrete and walls are painted with rubberised paint.
 
I don't know how big they were at the pro yards I worked at. Probably slightly smaller than the standard stable size, but big enough to bring horse in, turn and work comfortably round all sides. If you can afford it I highly recommend heat lamps with a fan as horses dry so quickly, especially when clipped. Bit of a luxury and definitely something I'd have if I was able to!
 
Mine is 16 x 10 but it's now the feed room and where the outdoor dogs sleep. We converted the feed room to a guest annex and never used the wash room as a wash room. We just hose the horses outside the stables as the hose reaches to all of them (hot and cold water mixer). I clip outside too as prefer natural light. I have a spare stable to clip in if it's windy with a power point next to it.
 
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