Talk to me about mobile field shelters

[asmp]

Thinking about getting a mobile field shelter in the near future. Prices seem to vary a lot and I know you'll probably get what you pay for but any recommendations that don't break the bank?

I'm assuming metal skids are a lot more robust than wooden ones. Anything I should avoid, must have?

 

[DappleDown]

Some are lined with kickboards, some not (the cheaper ones).

My supplier a few years ago turned up with said shelter then charged me an extra £50 as the field gate entrance wasn't next the road to where he had to deliver the shelter (the shelter was to go in a field which had its entrance approximately 20m further in from the field with the road access gate).
I questioned this extra £50 to no avail (I'd send him packing with a flea in his ear now).
So watch for cheeky hidden extras.

 

[Wagtail]

We just had one of these put in our sand turnout for a recouperating horse. They were lovely people and it is really well constructed with kick boards and a back panel/skids all for under £1000.

https://www.belvoirbarns.co.uk/our-products/field-arch-shelters/

I can also highly recommend National stables, but they are a lot more expensive. Last forever though.

 

[Follysmum]

I have national stables and they are fantastic , definitely worth paying the extra money imo

 

[OldieButGoodie]

I have a large arc purchased and built last year in situ in the field. Looked great to start with but its on the verge of collapse. The guy who did it charged a fortune (1.8k) but used the cheapest materials so its essentially useless. He used what looks like plywood (?) for the arches and these have disintegrated as they are clearly not for external use. The overlapping panels didn't overlap properly either as if he hadn't put enough on - so lots of gaps appeared. The panels were also made of very cheap thin wood full of knots - the wood has buckled and some of the knots fallen out - so the arc is most definitely not waterproof! Anyway make sure you shop around and look at reviews. Definitely don't buy from the guy who did mine (you'd need to PM me though if you wanted his name as I won't name and shame in public).

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I have 3 shelters, one of them a mobile (delivered new in 2011).
Its from Ascot stables/ timber buildings.
I went for them as my current stables and shelters are all by them & have been put up over various years since 1979.
This mobile one is kickboarded, its on metal skids (tubular, so easy to drag about). Has overhang at front, vents in the 2 short sides, front gutter & downpipe at the side (saves ground in doorway from getting boggy).
Still good as new, despite being used by hefty large and mini hippo's from 32 inches to a 17.3 - the latter using it as his kitchen fridge that 1st winter.
I've had to replace 2 retaining downpipe clips - when my (then) hefty cob used it as a bum scratching point the summer I had it put up.

Compared with my neighbours one on wooden skids, which is 2 yrs newer than mine, I'm happy. She's had to replace some planks *no kickboards when purchased, cost her more than a few quid to get someone to retro fit some when doing the repairs to the planks. She has mud at the front as has no over hang.
I think the difference between ours was mine was approx £450 more - she's paid out nearly that for the repairs and kick boards to hers!
Cheapest isn't always best, but def do your research

 

[PeterNatt]

Be aware that whatever the manufactures tell you that your local authority may require planning permission for a mobile field shelter.
Also have you obtained planning permssion for change of use from agricultural to equestrian?

 

[cobgoblin]

Also some authorities check that the shelter is moved frequently.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I've a Saltire Stables field shelter / stable, it was bought in 2011 and is wearing well. One of the reasons we went for this one is that it has some Yorkshire boarding along the back wall to allow the wind to pass through as we are in a very windy area. I had a small problem when it was put in which was sorted within 2 days which although initially annoyed with problem I thought was very good customer service.

 

[Cecile]

I bought one years ago best investment I ever made, its on metal skids, has kick boards and the only thing I really didn't need was a clear panel in the roof which I paid extra for. I bought mine from Redmire but I suspect they don't exist any longer, at the time they had a special offer - buy your shelter and receive a free stable front to bolt onto your shelter, the bolt on stable front is quite impressive with kick bolts, top and bottom stable doors and an opening window (Never used it and never needed it and it sits in my barn looking nice, however if I ever needed to isolate an animal it would be used)

Needed to replace the drain pipe and it is painted each year with some sort of fence guard stuff, the roof should be replaced in the near future as it is onduline and showing its age when I look at it closely but it still does its job

Someone showed me Google Earth and if anyone ever mentioned I needed to move the shelter regularly just a flick of a switch shows clearly on google earth little field shelter shaped area's where the shelter is moved about at intervals, mine has been on my property for years and no-one has ever questioned it

 

[asmp]

Be aware that whatever the manufactures tell you that your local authority may require planning permission for a mobile field shelter.
Also have you obtained planning permssion for change of use from agricultural to equestrian?

Daughter works in planning so will make sure everything is OK!

 

[Daughter of the Moor]

I had a John Goodrick shelter for years which we moved a few times. It was the higher end of the general price range but is still in use after nearly 20 years.

 

[asmp]

I realise that most companies will deliver all over the UK but can anyone recommend someone in the Hampshire/Wiltshire area?

 

[southerncomfort]

I've a Saltire Stables field shelter / stable, it was bought in 2011 and is wearing well. One of the reasons we went for this one is that it has some Yorkshire boarding along the back wall to allow the wind to pass through as we are in a very windy area. I had a small problem when it was put in which was sorted within 2 days which although initially annoyed with problem I thought was very good customer service.

Just had a look at their website. I really like the look of the four sided corner shelter, never seen one like that before.

 

[Sparemare]

I've a Saltire Stables field shelter / stable, it was bought in 2011 and is wearing well. One of the reasons we went for this one is that it has some Yorkshire boarding along the back wall to allow the wind to pass through as we are in a very windy area. I had a small problem when it was put in which was sorted within 2 days which although initially annoyed with problem I thought was very good customer service.

What is Yorkshire boarding please?

 

[GoldenWillow]

https://walfordtimber.co.uk/product/yorkshire-board-cladding-22mm-x-150mm

We have it on the top of the back wall about two feet of it. It allows the wind to go through the wall, also gives better ventilation.

 

[LovesCobs]

Be aware that whatever the manufactures tell you that your local authority may require planning permission for a mobile field shelter.
Also have you obtained planning permssion for change of use from agricultural to equestrian?

i presume they don't always want the change from agricultural to equestrian? I have obtained planning permission for hard standing, field shelter and stables on my land classed as agricultural. They did not want the change of use planning? it is very clearly for equestrian use and i had to pay the planning fees for this (higher than agricultural fees)
If I hadn't got planning permission for the shelter I would have had to move it every 3 months to comply

 

[taraj]

We have some mobile shelters on metal skids from Oakley stables in Hampshire. We used the shelters as stables for the first year whilst we were waiting for planning permission for the block of stables (in the national park so a nightmare!). They are now approx. 6 years old and used daily and look better than our block of stables that are a year newer (from a different company who I would not recommend). They are certainly not the cheapest but are solid and built to last.
Planning is a nightmare where we are but the council have not complained about the shelters, although a friend local to us had to move theirs due to the fact they put them on an area of hard standing so the council classed them as permanent.

 

[Cecile]

I found this, I thought Redmire went out of business but maybe not

http://www.redmire.co.uk/sites/www.redmire.co.uk/files/Appeal Decision - Full.pdf

http://www.redmire.co.uk/node/302

It would seem if you start putting in electric, water and hard standing you could be asking for trouble, if you intend using it as a mobile shelter you could be fine

Not sure why on reading the 1st link who or why someone stood around for 2 hours to actually time the construction of a field shelter as the council state, someone obviously has too much time on their hands and could of been useful and let the owner go for lunch and they could of left the nosey s*d instructing the build

 

[ryanclarke447]

I recently got a field shelter from Finer Stables and I must say it has been amazing! they came and built the shelter on site and my horse just absolutely loves it! we paid £1200 for ours and it looks like it will last years so a brilliant investment!