My field shelter went walkies!!

[CarolineJ]

Well, thank you to all the people who said 'leave him out' on my previous thread asking about whether I should shut Merlin into the field shelter with the high winds last night. I went down this morning to find it two feet further south than it was yesterday (And this is an 18x12 sturdily built job which didn't get so much as a splinter in the 85mph we had the other week!)

Merlin is fine, he doesn't have a scratch on him and slept in the little dip further down the hill by the looks of things, which is protected from west and north so was probably more or less wind-free. But I can't get the matting back down because the frame has warped slightly and I can't shut the gate to keep M out because the gate is now stuck behind the post it's roped to to keep it open! Husband taking a half day from work to come home and check it's safe (felt coming off the roof as well) and help me re-size the mats.

 

[*hic*]

Yup, I spoke to my husband about it and he'll be surprised it's still in the same field! He was born in Thurso and lived there for the first 18 years of his life.

 

[CarolineJ]

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and apply for planning for a permanent structure - this one's wood and on skids and has lasted 18 months with no problems including some horrible weather last year, but I think something built with strainers, breeze blocks and concrete would be better for future years.

 

[applecart14]

Oh wow that's amazing! Heard the winds were particuarly bad up North!

 

[stencilface]

We lost the roof of ours years ago - they had a merry dance on it looking at the footprints (still there its been put back up lol) this was on concrete and sat on bricks. Has lots of restraining metal straps now though!

 

[Mlini]

A field shelter at our yard went walkies yesterday too! Wind picked it up and dropped it off in the next field... upside down...

I have to admit I laughed when I saw it, but not so good for the owner as it cost £1200 this summer! She just said 'Well she never went in the bloody thing anyway!' Luckily no horses were hurt.

 

[MrSpam]

A few years ago, near us, a field shelter was blown over a large hedge and deposited on a road. Amazingly no damage to anyone, horses or apparently field shelter, which was put back and seemed undamaged.

Maybe horses know it's safer to be outside in windy weather

 

[Miss L Toe]

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and apply for planning for a permanent structure - this one's wood and on skids and has lasted 18 months with no problems including some horrible weather last year, but I think something built with strainers, breeze blocks and concrete would be better for future years.

In the meantime you can get some caravan anchor things that you set in concrete and tie down the structure, roof and all, [polypropylene rope [blue fisherman type] s cheap and strong,

 

[Mlini]

This is the one destroyed at our yard! It came from the field at the back of the photo!

 

[CarolineJ]

In the meantime you can get some caravan anchor things that you set in concrete and tie down the structure, roof and all, [polypropylene rope [blue fisherman type] s cheap and strong,

Great minds think alike, that's exactly what husband has just gone to get Along with a land anchor to winch it back into place!

 

[hollyandivy123]

at melton mowbray army camp they have "field shelters" in their fields which are just railway sleepers about 8ft high set like the spokes of a wheel (only 3 spokes) they have no roof, but will block out the wind..................and i am guessing as you don't have a roof then you would not need planning permission as they don't have walls etc

 

[scarymare]

I've lost 2 of mine in previous winds. Now all have 'yorkshire boarding' around the top of them - basically holes to let the wind through. Haven't had an incident since and we are really remote NE Scotland. Look on Saltire stables website and you will see what I mean. Lifesaver!