Having a well-designed horse stable is essential to anyone who has horses or wants to be involved in the world of horse ownership. The fact is that a stable that provides a safe, secure and comfortable place for horses to live not only benefits the health of the animal, but also improves performance which in turn saves time and money as it means that horses are free to concentrate on training or work rather than worrying about their surroundings.
When considering how to build a horse stable it is important to first decide how big you want the block to be and how many stalls you’ll need. This will help you to work out what materials to use and how much the build is going to cost as the cost of materials is one of the biggest costs of a stable block. For those on a budget it is possible to purchase modular components that can be delivered and installed for you. This allows you to get started with the building process without having to spend as much upfront, however it is important to note that these are generally more basic than a bespoke built stable.
The next thing to consider is whether you need to make a planning application or if your site has any restrictions. This is particularly important if you plan to use the stables for riding or other commercial purposes such as boarding or training horses. A visit to your local planning office can provide clarity on what is and isn’t permitted.
Once you’ve decided on the size and type of stable block that you require it is important to have a design on paper. Whether this is done manually with pen and paper or is professionally drawn up it’s important that a plan is in place before starting to construct. This is not only for legal reasons but it will also ensure that the finished product is what you had in mind when you were working out how to build a horse stable.
Another key consideration is the location of the stable block as this will have a big impact on the final build price. If you own your land it may be cheaper to build a stable on your property however if you’re looking at purchasing or leasing a piece of land then you will need to factor this into the overall cost as it will add to the total project budget.
One of the most important parts of a stable is the stall floor. It’s vital that this is a hard, durable and easy to clean surface as the horses will be spending a lot of time on it. It’s recommended that you use a good quality aggregate base with a soil retainer designed for equine stables as this will allow for drainage and prevent the stall floor from deteriorating over time.
You should also include a wash room in your stable design. Having this facility will not only save on water bills but also make it easier and more convenient for you to wash your horses. You can set up a simple washing area with running water or even something more sophisticated like an automatic water drinker that will give your horses fresh drinking water at the push of a button.