stable size in relation to horse

[Tim's Girl]

Need advice. Ive been offered a stable at a local diy yard. The stable measures just over 8ft wide by 12ft deep. Its a brick built in an old fashioned indoor barn. i really like the yard and have a friend there but im not sure if its gonna be big enough for my 16.1 tb. Diy is like golddust in my area and only leaving current yard as winter is very limited turnout and no school. He has a 12x14 here. He doesnt winter in very well gets stressy etc as this is what happened last year.

What would you do? Thanks

 

[milliepops]

8 x 12 is going to feel rather small I think. I went from 12x12 to 10x12 and it's very noticeably smaller. I wouldn't want to go smaller again, and my horses are 14.2 and 15hh.
Any chance a bigger stable might come up in the future?

 

[Annagain]

That does sound quite small I don't think. I'd want anything smaller than 10ft in either direction. Is he short in the body? How much time will he spend in? If he'll be in overnight I'd be worried but if it's a case of having somewhere to tack him up and groom him but he won't be spending much time there it might do for now. Once you're there could you have first dibs on a bigger stable (hopefully one might come up before winter?)

 

[impresario08]

I'd say it's too small x

 

[Enfys]

8' x 12' bit narrow, BUT, what sort of TB do you have? They come in all shapes and sizes.

Most horses are very space aware and cope with what they have.

12' x 12' is considered large and airy here, most boxes are less than that, 10' x 10' is common, and I have seen huge horses manage very well in those.
I had 10' x 11' stalls and I had 17.2 warmbloods in them with no problems.

It would be a toss up for me in your position, better turnout versus smaller stalling space. Perhaps he would settle more happily in with other horses?

What is your gut feeling? You know him best.

 

[Equi]

Mine is 10x15 and my 16.1 TB never lay down. My 15.1 welshie would lie down flat out comfortably though. That size might feel a bit small but maybe if he has less room he will not box walk and keep a bit of weight on? Lol

 

[Tim's Girl]

He's a typical lanky fine american tb. He does love to lay down. I dont think the other stables are that much bigger tbh maybe 12x10. Ive had him in 10x10 and was ok. I want to go to yard but not sure if he will be ok. Another friend who came with me said he would be ok as they adapt. I just need him to go out in winter. Last year was in for 6 weeks in a row with maybe 2 days out for a couple of hours and he really didnt cope

 

[PorkChop]

For me it would be a bit too small - however, if your horse was only in when the weather is awful or ground conditions terrible then it may be alright.

Sounds like the yard is so much better so you need to weigh up the pros and cons, by the sounds of it the turnout is so much better so that is definitely a better set up.

 

[Tim's Girl]

Also meant to say in winter they generally come in around 2pm. He will go out between 7 and 9am

 

[Tiggy1]

Would be a bit tight

 

[Casey76]

You're all just used to big stables in the UK

My stables are 3 x 2.75m (9.8 x 9 feet), and I consider these to be a "good size" compared to a lot of boxes I've seen in France.

My largest horse is a good solid 16.1 (almost); but there are bigger horses, including one which is almost 17hh in the same size, and we've never had any issues with them getting cast or appearing to be uncomfortable.

Having said that I'd give my left arm for larger "English style" boxes lol!

 

[Cocorules]

I had a 9 x 13 stable on a yard I was on. It felt tight and I only had large ponies. I think 8 x 12 would be very tight for a 16.1 horse.

 

[Tim's Girl]

Need to make a decision which im rubbish at!! Is the smaller stable worth it for the turnout?? Ym also said a 17.1 had been in it as well

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'd say it depends on your horse. My 15.2 TB was in a 12x12 which I thought we were both happy with.
When he had to go on box rest and nothing else was in all day near his stable I moved him for the day to stand in my daughters ponies box which was tiny. I figured he never lay down anyway and would be happier with a bit of company.
Much to my suprise he looked fine in it and was far more chilled out all the time!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I am moving soon and the new ym saw my face of concern over size of stable. Not sure of ft age. So she showed me a 16.1hh in one.!! Mine is 15hh settled me a lot. Although wider, he will take less length when lying down!

 

[madmav]

Tricky, but I'd go for the better turn-out. Good luck deciding!

 

[SO1]

I think that is a bit small for a big horse - but likes have said depends how much time he will spend in there too as if he is getting a lot more turnout it might be worth having the slightly smaller stable though maybe large risk of getting cast if he likes to lie down and there is not much room for him to get up. It is an airy stable with a high roof or is is narrow and dark?

My 13.3 pony is an 12 x 12 stable, the really big horses on our yard have 16 x 18 corner stables. If they are going to be in a lot of the time then they do need decent sized stables. My pony likes to lie down in his stable as well so I think a narrow one would not suit him although he is has short legs he takes a 6ft rug so he has a long body so it is not just about how tall the horse is but how long and wide they are too.

 

[Tim's Girl]

The stable has a very high roof and is airy. Im going to ring ym again in morning for a chat and see if its still free. Ive been speaking to a few of my friends and they all seem to think he will be ok. He doesnt box walk, crib or weave etc. He is in 6ft3 rugs

 

[Tim's Girl]

He will also get company as at current yard he is turned out on his own which i dont really like but dont have a choice

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Need advice. Ive been offered a stable at a local diy yard. The stable measures just over 8ft wide by 12ft deep. Its a brick built in an old fashioned indoor barn. i really like the yard and have a friend there but im not sure if its gonna be big enough for my 16.1 tb. Diy is like golddust in my area and only leaving current yard as winter is very limited turnout and no school. He has a 12x14 here. He doesnt winter in very well gets stressy etc as this is what happened last year.

What would you do? Thanks

We had a 16.2 in our 13 feet deep by 10 ft and he did have trouble turning. Now he is part he is in 14 x 15, so I think you will find him turning a problem

 

[njc]

I would take the smaller stable and turnout in your shoes. I have have played the no winter turnout equals stressed horse game and it is no fun at all. He had a stable big enough to house a herd of cattle and he still took his door off and turned himself out My horse is a solid 16h and takes 6'9 rugs I took a 12x 8 stable initially on a yard with turnout and he was fine the roof height was low though so I moved him to a slightly bigger stable with a barn height roof when it came up . A friend still has a 15.3 warm blood in a 12x8 no issues. Should also add he could and does lie down and did so in the smaller one

 

[MagicMelon]

Sounds tiny to be honest, don't think I'd put anything over 12.2hh is something this size personally. I had our stables built as 16ft x 18ft and I don't even keep mine in (they are free to come and go as they like), they fit my 17.1hh WB fine. I thought the smallest even for pony boxes were meant to be 12ft x 12ft. If yours is stressy, I dont think such a confined space will help Would the yard let you keep him out 24/7 instead? That would be ideal if he stresses at being stabled full stop.

 

[Stacy_W]

I've seen 16hh+ in pony boxes (8x10) on my old yard. They managed ok but it looked like a squeeze! If I were you, I would opt for turnout and the smaller box. At least he won't be in it as much!

 

[Tim's Girl]

Thanks for all your opinions and advice. After careful consideration i have decided to take the stable as the pros outway the stable size. He doesnt stress outwardly so im hoping he will be ok. Just waiting on a reply from ym now

 

[Moomin1]

I wouldn't put my 16.3 in a stable that size. I've moved from a 12x14 stable to a 12x12 and I'm not overly happy with that size even for her (though admittedly she is a very large and long 16.3hh).