thank you and building own stables -extras advice

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pelena

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Firstly I wanted to say thank you to everyone who commented and gave me such useful advice on building my own stables and sorting out neglected fields.
My new timber stable block (L shaed three 12x12 boxes and a 20x12 hay barn with small integrated tackroom with extra long overhang- thank you dixie for the design inspiration) is being installed in early april. This will house my retired mare and my daughter's 11h pony, with an extra box for a future horse down the line (incredibly, my non-horsey husband's suggestion... he's already regretting it) I have access to extra storage space should I need it for spare bedding etc.
I am having a fibre cement roof as I was told it was more breathable and less noisy than metal- any thoughts? We are future proofing it so it can take solar panels.
Also wondering if I should have back windows for the stables? I am putting one on the side of the end box so the horse can look out onto the garden, but was wondering whether it was worth putting one in at the back for the other two boxes? They're just overlooking the field but was thinking for light and ventilation? And would you put a small window in the tack room?
Any other extras I haven't thought of please shout! I'm having proper drainage installed with the base but no wash bay as there are areas we can wash the horses close to the house and we are a bit tight on space in the area of the property we're building on.
 
With the caveat that I haven't built my own stables, I would add windows in. Wooden stables can be so hot in the summer, even at night. I put one in an end stable for my horse when it was overlooking fields and he absolutely loved it. I've also been on yards where the wooden stables have a large cut out in the walls and bars or a grill put in so the horses can see their neighbours. Personally I wouldn't have a window in the tack room, just for security.
 
Surbie said:
With the caveat that I haven't built my own stables, I would add windows in. Wooden stables can be so hot in the summer, even at night. I put one in an end stable for my horse when it was overlooking fields and he absolutely loved it. I've also been on yards where the wooden stables have a large cut out in the walls and bars or a grill put in so the horses can see their neighbours. Personally I wouldn't have a window in the tack room, just for security.
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thanks- yes I was thinking it would be good for the summer. I've already ordered grills between the boxes
 
Surbie said:
With the caveat that I haven't built my own stables, I would add windows in. Wooden stables can be so hot in the summer, even at night. I put one in an end stable for my horse when it was overlooking fields and he absolutely loved it. I've also been on yards where the wooden stables have a large cut out in the walls and bars or a grill put in so the horses can see their neighbours. Personally I wouldn't have a window in the tack room, just for security.
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I agree, but probably go further and suggest that your window on another side from your entry door becomes a closable top door.
To optimise air flow in summer is helpful, but particularly winter - following seven straight weeks since new year of fierce east /south east / north east weather, including driving icy rain, sleet and snow - when the prevailing wind is supposedly ‘west’.
Like most farms and yards, all our buildings, barns, housing is geared against weather from the prevailing wind…..to have ability to shut out bad weather whilst maintaining ventilation, air circulation, with openings onto another direction - would have been a life-saver for a couple of new-borns, and saved goodness knows how much bedding, fodder, additional work and stress.
 
pelena said:
thanks- yes I was thinking it would be good for the summer. I've already ordered grills between the boxes
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As well to make sure the grille is high enough to avoid cross draughts drawing throughout the bloc, across their backs; just enough they can catch sight of one another without ever feeling intimidated.
 
Exasperated said:
I agree, but probably go further and suggest that your window on another side from your entry door becomes a closable top door.
To optimise air flow in summer is helpful, but particularly winter - following seven straight weeks since new year of fierce east /south east / north east weather, including driving icy rain, sleet and snow - when the prevailing wind is supposedly ‘west’.
Like most farms and yards, all our buildings, barns, housing is geared against weather from the prevailing wind…..to have ability to shut out bad weather whilst maintaining ventilation, air circulation, with openings onto another direction - would have been a life-saver for a couple of new-borns, and saved goodness knows how much bedding, fodder, additional work and stress.
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Oh yes I was thinking a small version of a top stable door that is bolted shut most of the time except in summer. I know some people have toughened glass but I can't be asked with the extra cleaning that entails.
Also re wind and rain I hear you- especially after the weeks we've just had. I've gone for an overhang covering the whole L for that reason!
 
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Exasperated said:
As well to make sure the grille is high enough to avoid cross draughts drawing throughout the bloc, across their backs; just enough they can catch sight of one another without ever feeling intimidated.
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one is 11h so I think that's going to be a one way thing! think they come in standard sizes but their design is pretty sound overall
 
pelena said:
Oh yes I was thinking a small version of a top stable door that is bolted shut most of the time except in summer. I know some people have toughened glass but I can't be asked with the extra cleaning that entails.
Also re wind and rain I hear you- especially after the weeks we've just had. I've gone for an overhang covering the whole L for that reason!
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Definitely an overhang! Our stallion’s box doesn’t have one (old, converted coach house)☔️😬
 
Exasperated said:
I agree, but probably go further and suggest that your window on another side from your entry door becomes a closable top door.
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Yes I totally agree and I should have been clearer. I used thick polycarbonate (cut to order online) and made my own window frame and hinged window that could be pinned back and fully open, fixed partially open or closed.
 
From experience with fibre cement roofing, I'd say be careful if you're in a windy area. Corrugated metal roofing can (to an extent) be hammered back into shape and replaced if it blows off, but the fibre cement tends to break upon impact with the ground.
Metal is noisy though, so does very much depend on how the horses will cope with that.
 
SpeedyPony said:
From experience with fibre cement roofing, I'd say be careful if you're in a windy area. Corrugated metal roofing can (to an extent) be hammered back into shape and replaced if it blows off, but the fibre cement tends to break upon impact with the ground.
Metal is noisy though, so does very much depend on how the horses will cope with that.
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yes I went for that because it was less noisy, but better than onduline. It's in a sheltered spot so should be ok wind wise
 
I have just had new timber stables delivered.

I have got 2 stable doors with top and bottom , then on the end I have a top stable door style window with Perspex added in so that it can be shut and they can still see out in winter. And open in summer :)
 
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