Stables Built out of Breeze Blocks

[FMM]

We have an old indoor barn which we have just "repossessed". It is approx 48 x 36 feet, and we want to build some more internal stables. I suggested that we used breeze blocks as the dividers (as the building is already built out of these). Then use some sort of lining to the stables.

Has anyone ever built a stable out of breeze blocks? If so, did you have any problems with them, and what type of blocks did you use?

 

[Tinkerbee]

Our ones at home in Ireland are breezeblock.
never had any probs, very solid. Dont know what type they arer though

 

[Mungali]

There are different types of breeze block, so long as you use the ones that are more heavy duty, there will be no probs. Oh and so long as whoever builds the walls does them correctly.

 

[isabella]

most of the stables i have been to are breeze blocks never had any problems.

have no idea what type sorry

 

[Navalgem]

[ QUOTE ]
most of the stables i have been to are breeze blocks never had any problems.

have no idea what type sorry

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto

 

[Maesfen]

Our inside stables are done with breezeblocks (it was a shippon)

As long as you use good weight ones (not the flimsy 3/4" ones), you have them tied in properly where they join a wall (don't just butt them up to it) and you make them high enough they will be great. You can also choose between finishes of them, some are smoother than others. I think they also need to have retaining bars in them too. Ours are from below ground level and run halfway up the wall then we have extra bars which have been sunk into the blocks from the top and the blocks filled with cement too which has made them much stronger. If you don't have bars down them, if you have a stroppy youngster that throws itself against the wall, the wall could give way (I've known that happen!)
Be warned, if you paint them (and they're much easier to clean if you do!) you will need gallons and a few coats cos breezeblocks are just like sponges and it just soaks in; I think the first year I gave ours ten coats (used up all the half empty tins of any colours about!) and the bottom three rows had black bitumastic on them (much easier if you warm it first) and that didn't need repainting for about 7 years although the top gets done every year.

 

[Donkeymad]

Our stables are built from breezeblocks and we have had no problems to date.

 

[PapaFrita]

My Former Instructor made his stable 'divisions' in his barn out of breeze blocks and they've all been kicked in!

Obviously some types are suitable and others not.

 

[rema]

You would idealy need to use 9 inch blocks.You will also to to use a firfix,A firfix is a galvanised length of metal that you bolt in a vertical position onto the external wall of the building,it has metal ties that you put between each coarse of blocks,So it will go block,tie,block,tie.This will secure your internal partition walls to the main frame of the building.You can then render the partition walls.Some people render some dont it's a personal chioce but rendering will give more strength to the wall or plyboard it!.As MFH has said you could put strenthening rods between the course of blocks too.i hope this makes some sense to you.

 

[Cahill]

use 9 inch double hollows.do shop around for best price.about £1.20 each.my mare scratched her bum on a 4inch wall and it went over!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

As others have said, if done correctly should be fine, if not they will be knocked down (some at our yard have!!!). I would personally line with ply as horses seem to love rubbing their tails on rough blocks.

 

[FMM]

Great information - thanks everyone - anyone else?

 

[SpottedCat]

Ours are breezeblock lined with stockboard which seems to work just fine.

 

[arkov]

9 newton concrete blocks are best for horses, 7's are too weak !
apart from that, thay are fine.... not as warm as wood in the winter, but they dont rot...

 

[Hornby]

Personally I would make the internal walls high enough that noses cannot meet (to cause kicking) could be about 8 feet high if horses stand on banks, the front wall looks nice if it then curves down to meet a smart door ...so you make the shape of the "victorian" stables shown here but in blocks http://www.monarch-equestrian.co.uk/majestic.html. I've seen this done for a row of about 10 boxes and it looks smart.

 

[Breezesbenefactor]

Cheapest way make sure they're 7N blocks @ 4" and laid in a stretcher bond, you can do them at 210mm but it'll obviously cost more

 

[Patches]

How strange that you think Blocks are colder.

My stables are cooler in the summer than wooden ones but alot warmer than wooden ones in winter. I've never had a problem with water freezing in them overnight in winter, whereas I've had friends with water freezing in their wooden built stables.

We put internal stables in an existing brick built barn. Blocks are six blocks high on the front walls, but there were already full height walls between each stable area (it was an old tie in parlour many moons ago so the stable areas were open fronted and raised from the walk way). We used the bigger, heavy duty blocks and put steel rods as well as pouring cement into them. Bricks were knocked out of the existing walls to tie them in securing as well as using wall ties. We decided that by having the front wall only 6 blocks high, the horses would have less inclination to stand looking just over their door. They have the whole front aspect to view out of.