Stables-what would you have given the choice??

Scoundrel

Scoundrel

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Hi,

We are looking to have some new stables built this summer we have a nice area set aside big enough for 8 stables however only really need 6 ish tbh.
So question is internal of external and what arrangement would you have given the choice.
We are on the pennines so gets quite windy at times.
So do you think we should have a courtyard/ L shape style or american barn type??

Edging towards american barn style mainly due to how exposed we are in winter but pretty sure there are pros and cons to both.

Saw also in a brochure the american barn style but with the stables back to back and two doors either side and 2 corridors if that makes sense?? I quite like this idea so I can keep my horses seperate from the liveries and their mess!DIY so don't need to access their horses really.

Also what do you do about storage for shavings / haylage??

Is there any big plus to sliding doors ? They seem to be popular but think I would find them annoying - not being able to put anything over your door or against the outside of your stable must be annoying?

What about swivel mangers integral hayracks and alike are they worth the extra ? May be look at haybars instead and dont see much wrong with a bucket on the floor tbh!

Just looking for ideas and opinions really.

And if anyone has any pictures of what works well for them that would be awesome my imagination is a bit poor!!

Homemade Spag Bol and garlic bread on offer with Carte dor and chocolate sauce for afters!! Thanks :D
 
I would go for the American Barn style if I had the chance to build my own, I like yards with these. I would not think putting in hay racks or auto waterers is worth it really. I think people like to know how much their horse has drunk for example.

Mmmm, yummy, yes please :D
 
If you are in an exposed area then go for american barns. As for storage, you ideally would need a haybarn or similar or hay/bedding but if you dont need 8 stables then you could put in 6 and have an extended open area to the back. However, really for safety's sake I wouldnt be storing hay in the American barn if it can be avoided (they tend to get hot in summer and the last thing you want is a fire!).

Id get all the extras for your own stables but not for DIY liveries.I prefer to have horses easting hay from the floor but my own stables have fixed corner mangers. Swivel mangers make life easier when ur in a hurry but check and see if you can get removable inlays to make cleaning them easier.

Definitely sliding doors over opening as opening doors take up far too much space in indoor set ups. Again may consider different for DIYs and add on a large tackroom for all your stuff/rugs for your own horses?
 
Depends on your area, in many ways.

A, if you are exposed to wind rain etc; american barn

B, if there's a lot of stuff going missing in your area; american barn (you can lock EVERYTHING up together)

We have an L shaped concrete/gravel courtyard. 5 stables - one of which is used as a quarantine/spare box separated from the others by the tack room, one wash box and one feed/storage room on the corner.

I do love american barns; but I like my lot having something to watch and a decent air flow through the entire block (we have panel/grills as stable dividers, not walls - the monarch style).

If I had the opportunity I would install (or get my father to lol) these things called feeding stations - which are a floor set hay rack, with a clip in feed tub on the top. We feed ours haylage off the floor anyway, but it would be neater. Think that swivel feed tubs are just as handy.

I like sliding doors - but if they have set grills into them it would really irritate me having to put my tack on the floor/rugs on the floor etc.
 
I like outdoor stables in a L shaped design with a nice overhang. I also love having automatic water drinkers!

Not too keen on Americans tables personally although they are handy for big yards as everything is under one roof.

I also dislike half solid half bar partitions between stables - I look solid walls.
 
well i would conssider
* american barn as weather is problem for you but

* back windows solid wood ones so when shut its part of wall then opens clips back and horse can have head out and gets good air flow in stable had them in dressage yard horses loved it if something eciting happening can shut them and horses none the wiser

* alternative to auto waters is a fitted manger with tap built in manger has plug put hand in hole turn tap water straight into manger u no what they drinking but no buckets and trace heated so no fozen taps

trace heated pipes no burst pipes or frozen taps in barn
 
I have been warned against sliding doors from people who have had them in the past and had to get them replaced. Some horses (not all!) will lean against them and warp the wood and metal a bit which can then make opening and closing the door quite difficult.
 
We're having stables done in the next couple of months. Personally I prefer outdoor stables but we're also pretty exposed and have an existing barn which we can use so will be having them inside. I think swivel mangers/hay racks are a waste of money really and just make cleaning more awkward so we won't be bothering with those. Wasn't sure about automatic drinkers but have decided against those too and I hate sliding doors - have worked on yards with them in the past and found them really annoying (managed to squish my finger in one once too which has put me off!). Some horses learn how to open them too and they get stiff/difficult to open if you have a horse who leans or kicks and shifts them off the runners. We have another barn for hay/straw but cut our own so need plenty of space. If you're buying it in every few weeks you could perhaps have a small lean-to on the main building? If you have a solid wall between the two I wouldn't have thought it would be a fire risk.
 
Personally I prefer American barn style. Mind live halfway up a fell and it is very windy and wet, they can see each other easily,it keeps the rain and snow off but more importantly they can easily interact, either over their doors because they are not wanting to stay out of the wind, rain etc. or through the bars where they can touch muzzles etc. Certainly my lad is happier than in ordinary stables, where he used often to be found at the back of his stable staying out of the wind.

Also they are warmer and secure from intruders.

FDC
 
I would like a barn with large doors at each end for easy access.Outside these doors would be a tap with hose. There would be two walls each set back 16ft and parrallel to the doorways. They would have tie up rings on the side facing the doorway so that when clipping or shoeing the horses would have their hindquarters to the doorways . On one side of this wall I would have 2 rows of 13ft x 13ft stables facing each other but at the back of each stable would be a door that you could enter into your own lockable cupboard 13ft wide by 4ft 6ins deep so that everyone had space to put their tack, rugs, grooming kit etc. Each stable would also have automatic drinkers and metal bars on the front walls. All doors would be sliding to take up less space.

The other side of the wall there would be the feed room with a metal feed bin for each person. There would be whiteboards for each livery on which they would leave the quantities of feed they are giving, any requests for assistance needed and other information others might need. Also down this side would be a large tool room. A space with each person having 2 pallets one for their bedding and one for hay/haylage. I would also have an area near the door with good drainage and a shower and heat lamps to wash and dry the horses down. Next to this would be a room with a ceiling that had easy chairs
a coffee table covered with horsey magazines, microwave,chocolate filled fridge, sink and washing machine so that we could have chats and coffee whilst we are waiting for the washing machine to finish washing the rugs. The ultimate luxury for me would be a toilet and decent lighting.

Forgot to mention nice owners and quality horses, could we ask for more?
 
Heating in the kitchen/ rest room, as even inside a barn it can get very cold so having a nice warm room to sit and have a drink would be great!
 
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Wow thank everyone - was looking at the plastic infill as opposed to wood as looks way more durable and very low maintenance - anyone used it day to day how does it hold up. Only seen it at Kelsall in the overnight stabling and looks good but guess that only gets very light use??
x
 
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