If you could have/use anything.......

[flipthelid]

I am in the enviable position of setting up a competition yard and now the build is not far off completion I need to start gathering quotes and ordering equipment.
So, if you could have/use any product/equipment that you wanted (money no object) what would you use? Names of companies would be great where possible and reasons why you would choose the items.
1) bedding - stables are 14 X 14 and fully matted.
2) showjumps -types/amounts etc suitable for schooling eventers
3) yard equipment - barrows etc
4) dressage boards/markers
5) anything else you would have if you could truly have whatever you wanted that would make life easier.
It is a 20 horse indoor yard with a 20 X 60 indoor, 30 X 100 outdoor, large undercover lunge pen, all weather gallops and 35 acres of grazing, most of which is quite hilly.
I look forward to your replies!

 

[BSL]

A wash down room. With heat lamps for drying. I have a grey lol.

 

[Cowpony]

Second that. And heated rug dryers.

And a hilly track for getting horses fit.

 

[Dunlin]

I'd be adding a horse walker to the list, the 3 other suggestions above are really good too. I'd also want a highly secure tack room, CCTV and flood lights for both schools. I could be here all night writing out a wish list but I'll leave it there... for now, sounds amazing, all the very best to you!

 

[flipthelid]

Thanks for the replies so far! Yes it is amazing, sadly not actually mine but running it is the next best thing I suppose!
We've got a solarium and hot wash box, miles and miles of hilly off road hacking and built in heated rug driers.
CCTV is a definite.
It's more the little things really that I hadn't put much thought into until now like best bedding, wheelbarrows, forks etc, best brand of show jumps and what selection to get etc etc. It sounds so silly but because there is so much out there I just don't know where to start so really wanted recommendations for things

 

[WelshD]

A lot of the yards around me use Snowflake Softchip for bedding, its tiny woodchips mixed with shavings. they do another that is the same mix but more shavings than chip. Its quite cost effective

I'm not sure on brands of wheelbarrows but lightweight ones with puncture proof tyres would be top of my list

I like the 'wave' shavings forks made by Noble Outfitters and would buy one if I had the spare cash

 

[BSL]

Bedding, i wld have aubiose. Deep bed on rubber mats. Oh and good changing facilities/loos for owners. They must be kept clean though.:

 

[Vodkagirly]

We have huge wheel barrows. Saves loads of time when you have a dirty horse.
A wash box would be great.
Reasonable amount of storage space.

 

[Batgirl]

These wheelbarrows: https://www.tornevalley.co.uk/wheel...ltr-wn9600-collection-only-5060473360051.html but with solid wheels
Fynalite shavings forks
This bedding: http://www.bedwellbedding.co.uk/

Show jumps you want to try and replicate a full set - coloured poles, rustic poles, skinny poles, planks, skinny planks, wavy planks or fillers, fillers. Potentially a few portable XC jmps (we have a few arrow heads and I know you can get a variety of others). Highly recommend Polyjumps. Plastic are much better -don't rot and stay looking sprightly!

Though with bedding if it is a livery you may end up providing a mix -we have straw, shavings and Bedwell - I love the Bedwell personally.

 

[Ben2684]

Me as livery ��

 

[minkymoo]

I'd have poured rubber matting. Even interlocking matting is a bit rubbish so it would be the first thing I'd do!

An indoor school as I'm a fair weather rider, and amazing hacking! 😃

 

[rachk89]

Mirrors in the arena's and i would really love my horse to have a mirror in his stable. Just because it's hilarious when he catches sight of himself i once found him staring at himself in a darkened window.

 

[Goldenstar]

CCTV from each stable to my iPad and iPhone .

 

[Deltaflyer]

Cross country schooling area. Rug dryers are a must, they are useful for drying all sorts of things apart from rugs. Wash box for sure (I too have a grey

Storage is a must if you have the space. Us horsey folk are mega horders - the minute you get rid of something you suddenly need it LOL

Bet you are no where near me *pout*

Oh, lorry parking if no-one else has mentioned it.

Re bedding, I like a thick shavings bed even on matting.

In an ideal world an indoor school accessible directly from the yard for those lovely wet winter evenings we all know so well

 

[eggs]

Large washing machine and hot horse shower (we have a household electric shower) make life a lot easier.

A good space for sitting down and having a coffee and a nattter.

I really like future forks for mucking out, also plenty of skip buckets come in handy. Plenty of large plastic crates with lids for storing boots, bandages, etc.

I use White Horse Energy Platinum Plus wood pellets - very good value for money and quick to muck out without making too big a muck heap,

I have the large metal feed bins on legs that you fill from the top and scoop out from the bottom (about hip height).

 

[atlantis]

A track system fully fenced with post and rail, so Lottie could live out with her mates and would move more and so not get fat!!! I hate her bring in her tiny paddock with hardly any grass. She does have a friend with her and they look well now they're loosing weight but this would be perfect. Then second good hilly hacking with a quiet smooth lane and some good off road (lucky enough to have this now but without the hills) it keeps Lottie's feet in great condition!!!

 

[case895]

CCTV in every box and all around with internet access. Rug drying racks. Drains which drain to the door and in to an open gulley. No in stable water feeders (the devil's work). Smoke detectors wired to the house. No hay storage in the stables. Open aisle gulley..

Tractor and proper harrow/grader. Mirrors. High up lights.

Mains fence generator. Machinery for paddock maintenance.

Tractor with loader, bucket, forks, etc.

 

[Pie's mum]

Tea facilities and somewhere warm and dry to sit!!

 

[huskydamage]

I'd have poured rubber matting. Even interlocking matting is a bit rubbish so it would be the first thing I'd do!

This! I am traumatised after working on a yard were I had to constantly manouvere pissy mats around with bedding stuck under them. Awful! A poured rubber floor would be lovely.

 

[flipthelid]

Thanks guys, some great ideas here! We are having poured rubber which I'm so happy about 😄 and I'll investigate the bedwell bedding as that looks good.
I haven't used the wave forks from Noble Outfitters but thought they looked good. I agree that plastic showjumps will be better than wooden ones as they will mainly be for use in the outdoor arena, does anyone have any ideas for pole storage to keep them tidy and off the floor?
It's a private yard not livery I'm afraid 😏 so no need to worry about bedding preference for individuals!
Arenas mirrors for the indoor are on my 'must have' list - best place to buy?
I would also love some proper Cavaletti (sp?) for training but can't seem to find any?

 

[alainax]

If everything else is excellent, arena mirrors would be a number one splurge! Although to me, turnout is top priority. Have wonderful fencing, trained and kind staff, large airy clean stable and yard, excellent turnout, hacking and arenas with mirrors.. and I'm sold!

 

[debsflo]

Kitchen and shower room and loo for riders.