Newbie Owner building wooden stables advice please.

[Newbieowner]

We are hopefully about to buy a house with 3 acres. I plan to home a happy hacker and a pony for my very keen 7 year old. I will need to fence and build stables. Please, remembering I am a complete beginner to all this, tell me what I need to remember with a new set of stables/ fencing... They will be timber (cost is an issue) and probably from one of the national big boys. Where do I put the muck heap? How much hard standing do I need in front of them? Onduline or not? So many questions....

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I've not built (or had built) new stables myself, but a friend used Chart when hers were done and she was very pleased with the result. I think that hers were the middle range price wise.

Hardcore at gateways and at the water trough can help reduce mud at well trodden areas. I would go for metal gates as mine are terrible for the chewing wooden ones. If you will be feeding hay in the field, then a hardcore area for a hayfeeder would be good.

Don't forget about storage for hay, bedding, rugs (rug drying racks maybe?), feed, tack etc...

 

[pixie]

You need to decide how you are going to remove muck. If its being trailered away, then it needs to be in a position that is easy to get to and move around with towing vehicle, but also easily accessible to fields and stables.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Over the years, I've built a lot of stables. The ones in existing buildings I built myself - and they look like lasting longer than the expensive name stables I bought. THAT company has now either gone out of business or changed its name BUT - some things to watch for.

Make sure they give you enough headroom.
Outside cladding doesn't matter but indoors you want 3/4" exterior plywood. The various chipboards are a waste of time and money - a teensy kick and you have a BIG hole - and any rising damp they rot down fast.

Make sure there is GOOD, deep guttering and good downpipes and runaway! I had to replace all the guttering on the outdoor stables - you can't get enough slope and they just overflow in heavy rain.

Muckheap as close as possible - and downwind of the stables. Think about ease of access to get them cleared. I do most of my own two with a compact tractor and front loader - takes time to clear them (admittedly I have 27 stables!) But allow a decent amout of room - stack and manage well and you'll have a good source of natural pasture food. It just doesn't make sense to have to pay someone to take it away!

 

[JanetGeorge]

Oh - and Onuldine is fine as long as it has a LOT of support - absolutey no more than 2' apart - otherwise it sags badly!

 

[oldjumper]

Some things to consider:
1)get a good base down with soak away at sides and back
2)depending where you are, don't get too big an overhang or the wind can get under and lift the roof
3)put wooden buildings on a course of bricks to prevent rot
4)face doors away from prevailing wind
5) sort out what you're doing with muck - don't put muck heap/trailer too close or up wind because of flies
6)make sure you have vehicle access for vets/farriers/feed supplies
7) think about where electricity (highly recommended!) will come from
8) same for water supply - collection off the roof is a cheap, if slightly unreliable, option
9)consider using a reputable local supplier rather than a national company - their after care and customer service is often better and they have a better understanding of what is required where you are
10)have inner walls lined at least half way with fibre board for safety
11) don't economise on fittings on doors etc
12) have enough hard standing in front to tie up and walk round your horse and to mount without hitting your head on overhang!
13) BEFORE YOU START - GET PLANNING PERMISSION

 

[Dry Rot]

Keep your eyes skinned and you will occasionally see timber stables cheap or free to someone who will demolish and remove. There is the story of my free stable block at:

http://www.morrichhighlandponies.co.uk/newprojects.htm

that I removed, transported, and re-erected myself, single handed. I'm the wrong side of 70 so not difficult for the able bodied with half a brain. Just scroll down the page. Also plans for a pole barn there somewhere on there if you look.

 

[Snuffles]

Was going to say also Planning Permission !

 

[Makemineacob]

Some things to consider:
1)get a good base down with soak away at sides and back
2)depending where you are, don't get too big an overhang or the wind can get under and lift the roof
3)put wooden buildings on a course of bricks to prevent rot
4)face doors away from prevailing wind
5) sort out what you're doing with muck - don't put muck heap/trailer too close or up wind because of flies
6)make sure you have vehicle access for vets/farriers/feed supplies
7) think about where electricity (highly recommended!) will come from
8) same for water supply - collection off the roof is a cheap, if slightly unreliable, option
9)consider using a reputable local supplier rather than a national company - their after care and customer service is often better and they have a better understanding of what is required where you are
10)have inner walls lined at least half way with fibre board for safety
11) don't economise on fittings on doors etc
12) have enough hard standing in front to tie up and walk round your horse and to mount without hitting your head on overhang!
13) BEFORE YOU START - GET PLANNING PERMISSION

^^^^ This. Very sound advice!

 

[Newbieowner]

Thanks so much. I am making notes! I suspect some very stupid gaffes coming up but will try and be sensible. Loved the comment about mounting and hitting head!! Waiting for solicitors to confirm curtilage line so I can work out if stables can come under permitted development or are in the 'field' and therefore need planning.