A lot of the time your stables are going to be built
according to a particular style or pattern. This definitely has advantages. It
means several people can use your stables and already have an idea of how
everything is laid out and arrayed. However building a unique stables for your horse not only allows you to invest yourself more into the
building, but also add new features and facilities that standard designs may
not allow for. So here are a handful of tips you can use to help make your
stables more unique to you and your horses.
Storage
Keep your storage in the middle of the barn for objects such
as feed, blankets, hay and riding equipment. Doing this allows you to reduce
the amount of time it takes for people to go from individual stalls to storage,
which in general makes things a lot more convenient and efficient. If you’re
lucky to have a particularly large set of stables, you may even want to
establish a storage area in the dead centre of the stables itself, with the
stables arrayed around it.
For increased efficiency, and to truly give yourself unique
stables, you can also have the storage that is accessibly from all sides. Doing
so also has the advantage of reducing the temptation to leave supplies to
fester at the back, using only what can be immediately accessed from the front.
This not only makes your storage more time and space efficient, but also increases
cost efficiency.
Another feature that can help improve your unique stables is
to install a means of storing jumping poles, namely by nailing gutter brackets
to the side of the wall. You can store your poles on those, keeping them in one
place and off the floor.
Finally you can also store feed in plastic industrial
barrels. Usually feed comes in large sacks that, while convenient to transport,
do little to protect the feed from vermin or the elements. Storing it within
plastic barrels will not only keep the feed in one place, but also help
preserve them for longer than can be attained by feed sacks. Just make sure the
barrels are cleaned out first, so as to keep them hygienic.
Stalls
Remember that your stalls are where your horses will be any
time they’re not in the field, as such they should be designed for their
comfort. Make sure they’re bright, airy and open, with good visibility of the
surrounding stable. Horses are herd animals, and being to see horses in other
stalls can help keep them contented.
There may be a temptation to make your stalls larger than
usual. Try to keep control of this urge, as the larger the stall is, the more
bedding you will need and the more cleaning it will need too. In general your
horse only really needs enough room to move around and lay down comfortably.
Anymore is simply inefficient.
For added safety, you may wish to round down the corners of
any out jutting wooden frames or struts. This will stop your horses injuring
themselves as they brush against them during work.
Flooring
There’s no real advantage to any particular flooring
material, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages to recommend
it. In general, though, you should avoid concrete as these will injure your
horses’ legs as they walk across it. Good choices are popcorn asphalt, or
interlocking rubber bricks.
For more information on unique
stables, or for a range of wooden stables, garages and other wooden
structures, visit the website of Jon William Stables. Alternatively, call them directly by calling 01380 850 965.
