Making stables out of pallets?

[sparky1981]

We are thinking about making stables out of pallets. We have the existing barn so it's just partitions, front wall and doors. Has anyone successfully done this?we were going to strengthen it with ply wood. Any tips would be useful

 

[turnbuckle]

I can't quite see what the advantage would be. Pallets are brilliant for all sorts of things but they're not going to be high enough to make a wall....so you really need to get up to speed on basic carpentry, make studding as needed and then fix ply or better OSB to that....

It isn't that hard - a good spirit level (or go a bust and get a laser level) and a mitre saw from Screwfix...vital if like me you haven't mastered the art of cutting at 90degrees in two dimensions!

 

[the shadster]

I think you could do it if you can get hold of the double size pallets (8x4). They are great I've built shed's, freestanding tack room within a barn. You will still need some additional lengths of timber to join/strength but it is a considerable saving if you could get them for nothing, wood isn't particularly cheap to buy! Building sites are a good place to try, plasterboard is normally delivered on them.

 

[Orangehorse]

Anything built for horses needs to be very strong, because they only have to lean, or kick out, etc. etc. and things get deomolished. Pallets are constructed with nails, and have gaps, so bear that in mind or all your hard work might be trashed in a few minutes.

 

[Dancing_Diva]

I have a huge double field shelter built out of the really large pallets. It's then got feather boarding on the outta and inside walls. Is really strong and sturdy additional beams was used, houses my 15.1 cob and pony without issue.

Someone I've seen local is building a huge stable/shelter in middle of a field out of small pallets, they've put them two heigh with no additional frame/beams. They have a very itchy all year round horse who demolished a decent quality shelter two years ago so be interesting to see how the home made pallet one stands up!

 

[supagran]

I did it for years, when we had 14hand ponies. Then put a plank up above it when the horses got bigger. Worked really well. Filled them shavings and only took them down when I wanted to use the space for a mare and foal.

 

[sparky1981]

Thankyou for your replies. We've managed to do it with the large pallets and additional wood and is very strong

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Thankyou for your replies. We've managed to do it with the large pallets and additional wood and is very strong

Oh gosh! Well done, would love to see a photo if you could???

We concocted a stable for my cob when he - very unexpectedly - came back from loan (no fault of his own) and we had to sort out a stable for him PDQ in the middle of Winter! My wonderful builder, Mike, was working here at the time anyway and managed to put together a really handy little space using wood that was already around the place (no pallets but he DID utilise the old front door!!). Like your situation OP, there was already a barn in existence so this little hidey hole was basically just about erecting a partition inside the barn, using one corner of it. We used an unused field-gate to put across instead of a door! He made a really cosy little area which we're still using now, six years on. It cost zilch in materials, and did the job.