Mobile field shelter/stable?

[Jules_F]

Hi,

I am in need of a field shelter. I am planning to go for one on skids for now as I don't want to apply for planning at this point, although we do intend to apply so that we can have a better set up with a proper base in the future when finances allow. At the moment I like the look of the ones with a partition and a gate accross both entrances, just in case there is a need for box rest. Has anyone got one of these? Are there any downsides I may not have considered?

I wondered if anyone could recommend a good company? Either nationwide or fairly local to South Wales?

Also, has anyone used rubber mats in field shelters with success? I am thinking rubber mats inside and grass mats outside to try and combat mud.
Thanks for reading. Any tips welcome

 

[Cocorules]

I have a number of field shelters on skids but not installed by me so not sure where they came from. My preferred one converts into 2 large stables by swinging across a partition in the middle and it has stable doors. I would not go for a gate because I have one who would paw at it and get her leg through it.

It is also massive so 3 fit in it easily and the one at the bottom of the pecking order can escape easily when used as a shelter.

It has rubber mats and they work well. It has a chalk base but I have another with rubber mats and a sand base which is also fine. I have also had one before with a bare floor and that was also fine though field naturally sandy and well draining.

I would also recommend siting it away from trees and if you can let them have access to all sides rather than positioning it next to a fence they will use all sides of it.

 

[Jules_F]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

The field shelter with the moveable partition sounds great, I will look for one similar.

I will definitely site it away from trees, it is pain as there is a rundown stable and hay shed already on the land and my understanding is that if we replace it on the same spot we wouldn't need planning, but it's under two massive trees! Very frustrating!

 

[JustKickOn]

I have rubber mats in my girl's shelter, and it has a full bed in winter. She currently has a layer of shavings just to absorb the wee when in on hot days. It's a single one but we have added a slip rail that works well.

With the mats, I have five 6'x4' , three at the back longest sides touching and two at the front shorter sides touching. Never have issues with moisture coming up through them.

 

[Honey08]

Why don't you want them under trees? We planted trees all round my wooden stables and now heave grown they give extra protection to the wood from the weather. You just have to creosote them well to prevent them greening up. Wooden stables are a pain re weather, they age so quickly without a lot of care. I like that the trees shelter them from the sun and driving rain.

We have two portable shelters on the yard. Both have doors fitted so that they can be closed off and used as a stable if need be. They have a normal side stable door and a side section of door that bolts at the top and bottom and swings out wards. We use ours as hay stores, so roll big bales into them. There are pictures of them in an album for the winter turnout on my profile if you want a look.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've mobile field shelter that is now two stables with a partition in the middle and bottom doors on as we found this was what worked best for us. They have rubber mats down and use shavings on top as the natural drainage isn't great. We have grass mats in front, they work well under the overhang but further out than that ok but not great.

We particularly sited the shelter in front of a high hedge as this gives it protection from the wind and also shade in the summer as the ponies are in through the day.

My shelter was from Saltire Stables, the feature I particularly liked was that there is a portion of Yorkshire boarding in the back wall to allow wind through to lessen the risk of it being blown over. This was a big consideration for us as we are in a very windy area.

 

[Lplates]

We are in the southwest and used Devonshire stables for ours, very reasonable price and happy with them, but they are a bit of a pain to get hold of... No idea why.
We did 26x12, separated into 3, 2 areas of 10x12, one an open field shelter and one with a stable door. Plus a 6x12 tack room.
The open shelter had 2 bars to put across and I wouldn't bother with these again, my v calm pony managed to knock them down and hurt himself and I was never happy leaving him in with them. Also he rubbed against the metal keepers on the brackets and pulled one off. Other people like them though. We had wooden skids because of cost. They said it would be moveable with Land Rover but we found we needed the big tractor.
Rubber matting has been great. Nothing on top in the shelter, bed in the stable. V muddy where we are, really want to get some grass mats for this year.
Gutters on back go into water butt, gutter on front goes into water bucket, haven't needed any other source of water. Roof - I had box steel rather than onduline and asked for an extra clear roof panel which really helps with light.
Ask for fixings on either end so you can pull it in both directions.
I paid £2500.

 

[Jules_F]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

Honey08 - I live in one of the windiest parts of the country so I am a bit nervous about siting stables/shelter under trees in case of falling bits. Thanks I will take a look at your pics

Thanks for the company recommendations. Il check them out

 

[Highlands]

Got several, used a local company and they have been great!