Stables-what would you have given the choice??

[Scoundrel]

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

 

[BlizzardBudd]

i dont really like the sliding doors as it seems that when they get a little older they could break or some off they rollers.

i like the american barns with the holes in the outside for the horses to look out of

 

[appylass]

American barn every time. When it rains it is so nice to be able to do everything indoors. Mine has a door (hinged) at one end, open at the other, I rarely close the door at all. I have munch stations in two boxes and will have them in all when I can afford it. Haybars don't suit my lot as they would just chuck it all out. Stable doors are hinged. I have ropes tied on the bars at the front of each box to hang rugs on, a bit untidy looking maybe but does the job. I use water buckets, I like to know what they are drinking.

This is mine, 8 boxes, feed area and tackroom:

 

[mjam64]

Indoor stables every time. Haynets not racks, feed bowls not swivel mangers, water buckets, half hinged doors for stable rugs to hang over during day and no see through walls. x

 

[JoBird]

Added to the above I would definitely have external doors too (i.e. not just a rear window) so you can either turn out straight into a field or make individual external pens. They do this a lot in the States and I am definitely going to copy it. You can shut the doors in bad weather or have just the top open or open the "back door" into the outdoor pen to double the size of the stable or to lead straight outside into the yard/field etc. Even if you could only do it on one bank of stables it would still be a bonus - everyone would be fighting for those stables though!

 

[Enfys]

So do you think we should have a courtyard/ L shape style or american barn type??

I LOVE my shabby little barn, I could never go back to traditional outdoor stalls now. In winter it is 10C warmer, and 10C cooler in summer, bliss. I am biased, but for convenience and comfort I'd go with a barn system everytime.


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?? Absolutely 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.Good idea, just make sure that the aisles are good and wide, nothng worse than narrow aisles

Also what do you do about storage for shavings / haylage?? I have a separate barn next door, but many barns have a separate bay for feed/bedding. If you don't have enough space for that something stable size is good for a weeks supply at a time. A separate barn is less of a fire/dust risk though

Is there any big plus to sliding doors ? My outer doors are sliding - doubles (10' wide) at each end. Stall doors are traditional hinged typeThey 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? Pros and cons I think, there is the space issue, also you do have to be meticulous about keeping them clear of debris

What about swivel mangers integral hayracks and alike are they worth the extra ? Never had them, my feed bowls are hung inside and I fill them over the wall, likewise hay, just slung in onto the floorMay be look at haybars instead and dont see much wrong with a bucket on the floor tbh! If I had a choice I would go for the 'Munch Station' type hay racks

Someone mentioned the outer doors/windows, these are great for extra light, ventilation and keeping horses occupied, especially useful if they lead onto turnout pens or paddocks.

Things to consider with a barn set up:

* Have the light switches at the end nearest the most frequently used door (for some reason ours are 60' from the main door at the other end)

*Have the widest aisle you can possibly manage - mine is 15' I can tie at least 6 horses up if I need to.

*Do have outside windows (stable door style ones work well) or doors if you can.

*If you have the space have an open fronted stall with cross ties for farrier/clipping/grooming/washing etc.

*Don't forget a loo if you can, especially useful if you have liveries and don't want them using the house.

If you go for the outdoor style, try for the largest overhang you can get, this was at least 10':

It still doesn't compare with a barn but it is better than nothing.

 

[MagicMelon]

i like the american barns with the holes in the outside for the horses to look out of

Same here. I dont stable my horses but if I did, I'd love an American barn. I'd have it a bit different though IF I stabled (which I dont, I like mine to live out) - I'd have pens outside and leave the doors open so they could choose to stand in or out.

 

[bumblelion]

I'd have indoor stables if I could, much warmer and snug!!

 

[Catherine123]

I also like my horses to live out but prefer american barn stables just not the flat pack kind. My cranky mare reared up in one and very nearly got her front legs caught over the top I would go for something more open like this -

If they were just for my horses (who get on) i wouldn't have the dividing grills at all.

PS I think the sliding doors are to saving space.

 

[Maesfen]

I also like my horses to live out but prefer american barn stables just not the flat pack kind. My cranky mare reared up in one and very nearly got her front legs caught over the top I would go for something more open like this -

If they were just for my horses (who get on) i wouldn't have the dividing grills at all.

PS I think the sliding doors are to saving space.

If you don't have dividing grills and just lowish walls then remember the horse can have no peace from the neighbour; you need a side wall to be high enough.

Sliding outside doors are much safer in a windy situation but hinged stable doors for me please that also fold back against the wall when open.

No haynets, lethal things, either racks or on the floor (my lot would just pull everything out of a Haybar) I love my drinkers, wouldn't be without them but if you have them make sure they are well lagged and boxed away from the horses as some love to fiddle or rub if they can which means you have a burst connection and water spewing out of the box doors (OH thought they'd be gentle like cattle, in his dreams!)

Swivel mangers (in my dreams!) you don't have to use the swivel, you can still walk in as normal but by the time you decide you would have liked them, the price would have gone up plus they'll be more difficult and time consuming to install - can't you tell what happened to me?!

Make as many boxes as you have space for even if you use one for storage of rugs/boots/work clothes and tools as it'll cost a lot more to add them on later. I hate to see rugs on the front of boxes, makes the place look untidy so spare rug room for me please. I like the idea of a wash/vet inspection box. Unless your hay/bedding store is actually next door, I'd probably use a spare box for a weeks supply of stuff so I didn't have to go outside too often (thinking of your winters now!)

Have double way electric switches at either end so you're not feeling in the dark from one end to the other. If money isn't a problem, have separate box lights AND passage lights that work independently of each other; when I have one to foal, I leave the passage light on then it doesn't disturb everything when I'm checking on her. I also have two switches for box lights, one does 2 boxes, the other 3 so I don't need them on altogether if that makes sense.

I'd also like a very shallow drainage channel run the whole length outside of the boxes so that anything seeping out doesn't go into the opposite boxes. Proper drainage with the right camber is essential IMO as id adequate ventilation; a number of horses could soon make the barn feel stuffy if the ventilation isn't right.

Would also like taps at each end and if you've space, one to have a water heater too, makes it much easier if vet needs to wash up and things.

Rubber mats as standard too please.

I like Taylored Equestrian's set up. http://tayloredequestrian.co.uk/livery.htm

 

[CBFan]

I would go for a barn. much more pleasant at all times of the year.

Make sure stables have full height walls between them. I am all up for having grilles but many horses prefer privacy from their neighbours, particularly when eating.

Check the direction of your prevailing wind and either position your barn accordingly or make sure the end facing into the wind is well cladded - we have problems with rain and snow blowing into the two stables at one end of our barn.

Make sure your corridors are as wide as possible - we frequently get traffic jams in ours because the corridors aren't wide enough to tie up outside the stables and walk the horses through... the idea of putting the stables back to back is a good one you could even then keep the both 'sides' of the barn open so that the stables are 'open fronted' but with the benefit of a huge overhang on the roof of the barn... the 'ends' of the barn would then face the prevailing wind and provide shelter from wind and rain...

think about drainage - build in drainage channels along the fronts and out of the backs of the stables so that spillages are easily cleared up and stables can be washed without flooding the whole barn!