Need to replace my stable block... individual wooden stables or a portal span building?

[soloequestrian]

At the moment I have a really run down three-stable block. I don't think it's worth refurbishing but it might turn into a field shelter.
I want to build something new - minimum three stables, max 8 (I have 8 acres and might go into livery at some point). Would it be cheaper/easier to have a stable block built or to have a bigger building put up and then divided into stables? I think I'm erring towards the latter because in my mind at least it would be more flexible. Any ideas of costs for projects like this or places to look? I'm in Scotland.

 

[SantaVera]

I much prefer individual boxes rather than an American barn.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Which will get planning permission more easily?

 

[ycbm]

I prefer horses to have a clear view of the sky, for their mental health.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I prefer barns, provided that there is adequate ventilation throughout them. I wouldn't think that eight acres would be enough for more than six horses in terms of grazing.

 

[ihatework]

I love a good barn system and dislike a bad one!

The extra height in a barn gives much better air flow. Ideally you would have windows on the outer walls. It’s also nice to have a variety of pens / enclosed stables and linked stables with bars. Gives options depending on the horse. I actually love large pens for most.

 

[soloequestrian]

Thanks, I should add that my horses never live in unless there is something seriously wrong - they just come in to be tacked up or fed. If I had liveries I suppose they might want stabling. Six boxes sounds sensible.

 

[doodle]

I like my yards set up. Barn with isle down the middle, stables on each side and each stable has a window out the opposite side of the stable to the door. In really bad weather the windows can be shut. Half walls and bars between the horses. I have a sociable horse tho who likes to be in the middle of things.

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks, I should add that my horses never live in unless there is something seriously wrong - they just come in to be tacked up or fed. If I had liveries I suppose they might want stabling. Six boxes sounds sensible.

You could get 5 decent size stables in a barn set up (obviously depending on size of structure) plus a small feed room and an area for storage.

 

[TPO]

We've got a 60x40ft (I think) barn.

It has ventilated rainscreen cladding along the top half and concrete walls to approx 5ft high.

I'm not sure how much the ventilation helps with airflow but it does let rain and snow in

There are full height double doors at the bottom and a wide sliding door at the stables end.

We've got 2.5 stables along the top short end. The 0.5 is half of the big stable as it starts going down th4 long end (like an L shape) there's another 2 stables but 1 We've made tack/feed room and the other dad keeps his "essential" tools and bits of wood in.

We've also had 2 tractors, horse trailer, ifor flatbed trailer, ride on mower, hay, bedding, hay steamer ans rug drier in it and there's still bee space

It's an esrth floor which isn't ideal. I've put down mats in stables ans stable fronts to make a walk way. Ideally it would e concreted but that's £££££.

In theory I prefer open stables but in reality it helps having everything under one roof. Things/people/horses are definitely drier with this set up.

The top door gets left open for air flow when they're in overnight.

It's not perfect but, especially with Scottish weather, being under a roof is the better option.

There has been talk of selling the internal stables and having a pen situation but th4 stables add value for selling at a later date.

 

[lizziebell]

Which will get planning permission more easily?

^^ This ^^
Not all councils will approve block built structures as they deem it could be a stepping stone to conversion to dwelling(s).

 

[blitznbobs]

A portal frame will be a lot more expensive than wooden boxes

 

[canteron]

I have a mixture! It’s 12ft x 36ft with moveable partitions, so designed for 3 stables.

I currently have it partitioned as 2 stables with a corridor in between.

I have double garage doors at each end, this means if I have something on box rest I can open them up and put a bar across so they get lots of light.

I also have a large tack room and hay store.

 

[Xmasha]

A portal building is far better than a wooden block , but as others have said planning is more difficult to get and it costs substantially more . Here a guide to a price
LAMBING SHED OFFER
75 x 40 x 15ft Lambing shed –£22,995*

Painted steelwork
Concrete Panels
Fibre cement roof
Rainwater goods
Box Profile Cladding
Erection drawings
*ex. works, doors, VAT & delivery

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have the use of a 75' x 30' ft steel barn with earth floor. I have filled in some of the sides with wooden panels and have windbreak above. Mine is set up for sheep and hay storage plus a feed shed. I split it up with 15' gates. If we had wanted to we could have put internal stables in. I like the versatility of it.

 

[rextherobber]

I read a study ( can't remember where) that said barn style stabling was more stressful for horses than conventional stables. I was surprised as thought being in closer contact with other horses would be more settling. I worked in a yard once that swapped from conventional stabling to American barn stabling, two hitherto calm and social horses tried unrelenting to attack ones being lead down the walkway. It was more disturbing for those stabled when we came back from late shows, but it was loads more convenient for us grooms...