Internal stabling in existing barn - drainage?

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Tronk

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Hi - we are considering installing internal stabling to an existing barn. However I'm concerned about drainage. Has anyone put internal stabling into an existing building? The barn has a smooth concrete floor and looks as though there is a vague slope down towards the main doors. But I'm worried that when it comes to hosing out individual stables there will be a horrendous mess! Experiences please!! Thank you :-)
 
We have done this and are about to do it again as we are moving soon. Our current stables have concrete floors, no drainage, rubber matting and miscanthus bedding. I only hose them out probably once a year so not really an issue.

With the new stables we are going to put liquid rubber flooring in the stables and are going to slope the floor slightly to the rear. We will then drill some drainage holes for any liquid that is not absorbed by the bedding.
 
Thanks LJR- I currently bed on straw on rubber mats in conventional stables with non existent drainage and they stink even if I leave the bed up all day! So I guess the trick is to get more absorbent bedding so that you don't get the issue in the first place?? Will look into the liquid rubber flooring too, thanks :-)
 
I use shavings and a while ago I helped a friend out and mucked her horse out for a couple of days. she was on a thickish straw bed on concrete and I couldn't believe how smelly it was and how my boots smelt so if she had been on rubber mats as well I dread to think how bad it would have been...I was so glad it was only for a couple of days..
 
Thanks Splashgirl- sounds like straw is the root of the problem! Re your shavings bed, do you only need to wash out once or twice a year?
 
yes, we've done this-no drainage and I've not hosed out stables but emptied them in the summer and let them dry out completely and spot disinfected where needed. I use straw pellets and only have mats at front which are lifted weekly. Three equines in the one barn (was actually a large garage/workshop with an inspection pit!)
 
I only jet wash and Jeys fluid once a year over the summer - no drainage so I sweep out the worst and leave it a good few days to dry before moving matts back in. I use wood pellets and don't have any smelly problems.
When I used straw (we were given it for free) I virtually threw it all out every day to keep it clean
 
Tronk said:
Thanks Splashgirl- sounds like straw is the root of the problem! Re your shavings bed, do you only need to wash out once or twice a year?
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I fully muck out daily and mine mainly wees along one side so I disinfect weekly and occasionally(prob every couple of months) take the mats up, disinfect and leave them up for the day..don't actually hose all of the stable regularly, maybe once in the warm weather if its lucky!!
 
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