Pictures I have stables! And just in time...

[Titchy Reindeer]

Several months after schedule, I finally have my stables! They make life a lot easier when it comes to splitting up the girls for feeds. So far, the girls have only come in for a few hours in the afternoon to eat and for me to ride Little Madam. But yesterday we got our first rain in ages. Turns out Little Madam's rug leaks. And it was the brand new back-up rug to her recently ripped amigo which had proudly done its job for 4 years. So I brought them in and gave Little Madam chance to dry off in her fleece blanket (the one I said would be useless for a field kept pony!). I will chuck them both back out at lunchtime when the rain is scheduled to stop with heavier rugs as the temperature is supposed to drop over the weekend.
Picture of their first time in their new stables that are the result of the concerted efforts of my parents and several very kind neighbours.

 

[Barton Bounty]

The look very happy

 

[poiuytrewq]

Lovely bright and airy for them.
Is it in an old barn or something?

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Lovely bright and airy for them.
Is it in an old barn or something?

Yes, it's a three sided barn, so the side I'm taking the photo from is open (facing East so no rain coming in). We had to lay the concrete slab and put in the barriers. They're all entirely removable, so could be a more open barn for the two to share if I wanted that at some point. There is space for a third, slightly larger stable to the right of the photo for if/when I get a third (not just yet!).

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

The look very happy

Thank you. To be honest, they mostly just look bored when they've finished their food! But I do want them used to the stables in case of emergencies and will try to keep stable time to a minimum but on a regular basis. That said, they practically ran back from the field yesterday in the rain and looked very smug when they were in. Little Madam definitely had a lie down (straw in her tail) but I'm not sure about my Old Lady.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Just to add the Old Lady also had a lie down judging by the lovely poo stains on her rug. They're now both munching on the grass in the not-quite sunshine.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Is there something in between the bars to stop them getting cast/stuck? Looks lovely but I'd be terrified of them rolling and getting a leg stuck x

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Is there something in between the bars to stop them getting cast/stuck? Looks lovely but I'd be terrified of them rolling and getting a leg stuck x

No nothing at the minute. I'm not overly worried, Little Madam has lived in similar accommodation before and never had an issue. They know each other well and have been living together for months so neither are likely to strike out. If ever I get a different horse that's maybe more accident prone, the plan would be to attach a large wooden board to the bars to make it a solid partition.

 

[sport horse]

There should be no problem with those gates - even if a leg was put through there is plenty of space for the horse to pull it back The ones with diagonal bars are the lethal ones.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

There should be no problem with those gates - even if a leg was put through there is plenty of space for the horse to pull it back The ones with diagonal bars are the lethal ones.

Thanks, glad to know I'm not being entirely too gung-ho about it. I know my Little Madam well and The Old Lady is generally very sensible, so sometimes do wonder if I'm a bit too lax on certain things. (I probably am, and I certainly wouldn't put some horses I know in my fields without reinforcing absolutely everything). I didn't even know that gates with diagonal bars existed. And it does make sense that if a horse is going to put their leg through something, its better if they can easily get it out again rather than it being a tight fit.

 

[sport horse]

As below - I have had a horse put its leg through the rails the get it trapped in V at bottom. Had to be cut out by firendly neighbouring farmer and luckily did not panic for the odd 30 minutes it had one leg trapped! I have gradually got rid of all gates like this and replaced with those such as your own - maybe called bull gates? - I am similarly suspicious of those gates where the horizontal bars get closer near the bottom. Horses seem to have a marvellous habit of finding every way there is to hurt/kill themselves.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

As below - I have had a horse put its leg through the rails the get it trapped in V at bottom. Had to be cut out by firendly neighbouring farmer and luckily did not panic for the odd 30 minutes it had one leg trapped! I have gradually got rid of all gates like this and replaced with those such as your own - maybe called bull gates? - I am similarly suspicious of those gates where the horizontal bars get closer near the bottom. Horses seem to have a marvellous habit of finding every way there is to hurt/kill themselves.

Thanks for the picture, yes I could imagine a horse figuring out how to get stuck in one of those. I'm glad your didn't panic when he got stuck. Yes I saw the ones with the bars closer together at the bottom, I believe they they are for sheep and goats.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think your gates are fine, very well spaced out, exactly the same as my friend made last year. Her two are happy in them and one of hers does put the hoof up onto it but never struggled to get it off , thats because the said horse is a lunatic lol