How to build and equip stalls for horses, dimensions and diagrams of the stable

A stable is a residential building for keeping horses, storing harness, feed and cleaning equipment. To comfortably accommodate animals and use space economically, stables are built according to a special design. The size of the building is calculated by the number of heads and food. When designing a stable for several horses, it is important to provide convenient access to stalls and utility rooms, as well as communication routes.

Choosing a site for construction

When choosing a location for a stable, consider:

• distance to the owners' house;
• landscape features;
• Possibility of access for a truck.

Recommendations for preparing the area for construction:

• the stable will retain heat if it is built on an elevated plain. The hill is blown by winds, and it is difficult to drive a truck with provisions up the mountain. The lowland is protected from the wind, but collects rainwater;
• the building is placed so that the passage to the stalls and stalls is on the leeward side;
• if there is no suitable site near the house for building a small room, it is necessary to drain the soil.

An important criterion for choosing a site for a stable is the groundwater level. If they flow closer than a meter to the surface of the earth, the foundation will be cold and damp. In this case, reclamation work will be necessary.

A stable for 20 heads or more will require a large area, so you can choose a more suitable location away from the house.

Stable diagram and design

A stable consists of a main area for keeping horses, which is divided into stalls and stalls.

Secondary departments:

• forage - for storing feed;
• inventory - for feeders, tools and sanitary supplies;
• ammunition - for saddles, harnesses and other equipment;
• hygienic - for washing and cleaning animals.

Additionally, a security room and a manure storage facility are installed at the stables. In the absence of running water, a compartment is allocated for barrels of water.When drawing up a project, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances: terrain features, climate, cost of work. Stables are built on a foundation or assembled into economical modular structures.

Letnik with a canopy for 1 and 2 heads (with insulation)

A summer stall is a semi-closed stall in which the door consists of an upper and lower half and opens onto the summer area. Through the open top of the door, the horse can breathe fresh air around the clock. Stages of building a flyer for one horse:

• laying a foundation or ground base - lay cinder blocks in the corners, brick between them, waterproofing material and wooden flooring on top. The foundation is sometimes replaced with sleepers;
• erection of walls - install sandwich panels, which consist of two layers of PVC, fiberboard and insulation between them, lined with boards from the inside;
• roof installation - lay corrugated sheets, metal tiles, and ondulin.

A stall for 2 horses is two stalls separated by a partition with separate exits. The summer stable is used as an additional place for keeping animals. The disadvantage of constantly keeping a horse in a semi-closed stall is the risk of catching a cold.

Horses are sensitive to cold air and dampness. Changes in weather are fraught with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for them.

When the door is closed, the air stagnates in the summer stable. You can ventilate it only by opening the door, but it is impossible not to let the cold in. Therefore, in addition to the summerhouse, it is advisable to have a warm, closed stable with ventilation that allows you to clean and heat the air to a comfortable temperature.

Stable for 8 heads

The project for an even number of horses provides for the arrangement of stalls in two ways:

• in one row;
• in two rows, with a corridor in the middle.

The stalls can open inwards and outwards. Utility premises are located at the end of the structure.

Stable for 24 and 32 head

A large number of horses will require a large room. A sample stable plan includes:

• two wings with stalls;
• utility and administrative rooms;
• summer playground;
• exits for horses;
• separate exit from the fodder for receiving cargo;
• access for trucks.

When designing a large stable, additional parameters are taken into account:

• seismic activity in the region;
• lightning protection;
• drainage, ventilation, heating systems;
• location of bathrooms;
• video surveillance, fire and security alarms.

A one-story stable is designed in the form of a solid rectangle or in the shape of the letter “P”. In equestrian centers, a second floor is designed, as well as basements.

Construction works

A properly built stable creates a special microclimate that has a beneficial effect on the well-being, performance and reproductive function of horses.

Selection and preparation of materials and tools

Stables are built from natural materials: wood, clay, stone. The walls are erected from blocks or framed with boards. Materials used in the construction of stables:

• brick - durable, heat-insulating, breathable;
• timber - retains heat and optimal humidity levels, maintains a comfortable atmosphere in the room;
• adobe - a mixture of clay and chopped straw, more practical, but special technology must be followed during construction;
• boards, sawdust and clay - a budget option, used in the construction of a frame stable for a small number of heads, the base is sheathed with two layers of boards, between which a mixture of sawdust and clay is poured;
• natural stone - turns construction into an expensive undertaking, used in the construction and cladding of walls;
• cement, concrete blocks, roofing felt - used in foundation construction.

The choice of material depends on the climate. For cold regions, brick and wood are suitable. Brick and wood masonry retain heat well. Stone, on the contrary, keeps things cool. Stone stables need to be provided with good drainage and heating, otherwise the living and utility rooms will be damp. High humidity has a bad effect on the well-being of horses and the safety of feed.

An economical option is a modular or tent stable. The module is quickly assembled from steel, wood and other insulated parts. The tent building consists of an arched metal frame and a transparent roof made of high-strength material. To mark the territory and build a small wooden stable, the following tools are used:

• tape measures of 7.5 and 30 meters;
• hand and electric saws;
• drill;
• plumb line;
• hammers.

To mix cement, you will need containers and a special mixing attachment for a drill.

Foundation

When laying the foundation, the following parameters are taken into account:

• depth of freezing of the ground;
• soil composition and density;
• ground water level.

Requirements for the stable foundation:

• thermal insulation - the upper level or base should be 50 centimeters above ground level;
• waterproofing - to protect the room from moisture, 2 layers of roofing felt or waterproofing membrane are placed on top of the base;
• strength - the base is built from stone, brick or concrete, less often timber from hard wood is laid.

The moisture resistance and strength of the stable foundation is increased by a concrete blind area.It is laid along the perimeter of the building at an angle to drain melt and rain water.

Walls

The main requirement for stable walls that provide heat in the room is thickness:

• in the northern regions - 22-25 centimeters;
• in the southern regions - up to 20 centimeters.

The thickness of the walls of modular structures is 4-6 centimeters, so they are not suitable for keeping horses in winter.

Ceiling

The ceiling height in the stable is from 3 meters. The inside is trimmed with boards 5 centimeters thick. A mixture of clay and sawdust is poured on top for thermal insulation. The roof is made of durable, fireproof and waterproof material. Roofing felt and slate will withstand the weight of snow.

A pitched or gable roof will prevent water stagnation. Two slopes are preferable for a stable, as they improve ventilation - stale air rises faster and is discharged through the ventilation holes. The height of the ridge of a gable roof is no higher than 5 meters. The distance from the bottom edge of the roof to the ground is 3 meters. To prevent rainwater from pouring down the walls, it is necessary to install a drainage system.

Windows and doors

Window opening parameters:

• size – 100x70 centimeters;
• the distance between the glasses is 50 millimeters;
• height from the floor - from 2 meters.

In stables, windows cannot be installed at the usual height and to the side of the stalls. Side lighting frightens horses and leads to the development of one-sided blindness. The light falling from above does not blind the animals and sufficiently illuminates the room. An acceptable solution would be a panoramic roof.

Requirements for doorways in the stables:

• width - 1.5 meters;
• height - 2 meters;
• round loot;
• padlocks;
• no threshold.

The horse must pass freely through the doorway and not cling to latches, handles or locks.Doors in stables must open outwards in accordance with fire regulations.

Electricity

Wires in the stable must be secured to the top of the premises. Power cords on walls should be covered with boxes. In large stables, electrical wiring is hidden under the wall paneling. Rules for organizing lighting in a building for horses:

• the lamp is placed on the ceiling, on the walls, above the heads of the horses, so that the light falls from above;
• the lampshades are covered with a protective grille;
• switches are fixed at the entrances.

It is also necessary to install a fire alarm and emergency lights.

Ventilation

Horses produce a lot of heat and moisture, so the room needs to be ventilated regularly. Too dry air is just as harmful to horses as humid air. The permissible level of humidity in the stable is 60-70%, and the difference from the temperature outside is 15 degrees. In accordance with these standards, a ventilation system is developed:

• vents in the windows, dormer holes in the roof with a diameter of 8-10 centimeters with dampers;
• hoods;
• combined system with air heating.

In regions with hot summers, fans and dehumidifiers are installed in stables to reduce humidity.

Plumbing and heating

The normal temperature for a stable is 5-10 degrees in winter and summer. The room in which the horses are constantly warmed up naturally. In a stable for 2-4 heads, you can do without heating if the farm is located in a region with a temperate or warm climate. Stud farm buildings have central heating. In northern regions with cold winters, a radiator system is also provided in the stables and heaters are installed.

The water supply allows you to install automatic waterers and wash the horses with a hose with a shower attachment.To provide the stable with hot water and heating, an additional boiler room is designed or connected to the inventory room.

Arrangement of the premises

The main points in the internal arrangement of a stable are the correct equipment of stalls, a feed room, and provision of horses with convenient feeders and drinkers. It is also necessary to provide a method for manure disposal and arrangement of a training area.

Stalls

The main problem with keeping horses in a stable is the lack of communication and movement. In dark, narrow stalls, animals are restless, digging the bedding with their hooves, gnawing on partitions and feeders. Due to improperly organized space, they become restless and suffer from diseases of the hooves and teeth. Therefore, horses are kept in spacious square stalls - boxes separated by lattice partitions. Animals walk and lie, see each other, and do not feel lonely. Stall dimensions:

• length and width – 3.5x3.5 meters;
• height – 2.5 meters;
• The thickness of the partitions is 2-3 centimeters.

The floor of the stall is covered with sawdust or peat bedding. The most suitable material is straw, as it absorbs moisture and retains heat. The thickness of the litter is 10-15 centimeters. Every day they change the contaminated layer and add a new one. To prevent horses from getting bored, plastic mirrors are sometimes hung in their stalls. Working horses are kept in regular rectangular stalls in which they can stand or lie down. They are also called machines. It is useful to equip several stalls in a stable for sporting and decorative breeds. They can be used as a temporary place for the horse to stay while cleaning the stall.

Machine dimensions:

• width – 1.5-2 meters;
• length – 3 meters;
• height – 3.5 meters.

The width of the machine is selected so that the groom can walk inside.In a stall that is too wide, the horse will get stuck or get hurt trying to turn around.

Feeders and drinkers

Feeders for horses are hung at a height of 65 centimeters to 1 meter from the floor. Suitable materials are plastic, stainless steel, ceramics, rubber. Wooden feeders absorb the juice of plants and vegetables, are difficult to clean, and horses often chew them. Requirements for dishes:

• rounded edges and corners;
• smooth, flat surface;
• depth - 25 centimeters;
• length – 1-1.5 meters;
• width – 30 centimeters.

Scratched and cracked dishes for horses are replaced with new ones, as food particles accumulate in the gaps and mold forms. The feeder should be deep and contain enough feed to keep the horse satisfied. Thanks to the high sides, food will not spill on the floor. For grass and straw, metal lattice mangers are attached to the stall door.

Horses are given water several times a day, offering water in a bucket or plastic container. Full dishes should not be left in the stall, as the horse may knock them over and flood the bedding.

To ensure that horses can drink around the clock, automatic drinking bowls connected to a water supply are installed in the stalls. Automatic drinking bowls are made of cast iron and aluminum. With automated water supply, horses can play with the valve and also cause a flood in the stall.

An important piece of horse equipment is a salt lick stand. It is inconvenient to give loose salt to animals, as it crumbles and there is a risk of making a mistake with the dosage. Therefore, next to the feeder and drinker in the stalls, a ceramic stand for the lick block is attached.

Manure storage

Farms use horse manure as fertilizer. Raw materials from two horses are immediately distributed on the land. To store large amounts of manure, special storage facilities are built near the stables.They are also called lagoons and are divided into types: ground and pit, open and closed. For construction, a separate place is chosen at a distance of 200 meters, further from residential buildings and with deep groundwater. According to sanitary standards, lagoons must be waterproofed. How to build a storage facility for horse manure:

• for an above-ground lagoon, the surface of the earth is cleared, for a pit lagoon, a hole is dug;
• compact the soil to prevent subsidence;
• pour a layer of sand or small crushed stone;
• reinforced with geotextiles;
• geomembrane plates are laid and welded.

The geomembrane can withstand frost and is resistant to aggressive manure that corrodes concrete and metal. The storage volume is calculated by the number of horses. 2 cubic meters are allocated per animal. One tank should not exceed 9 cubic meters. If the stable contains more than 4 horses, two or more manure storage tanks will be needed.

Section for hay and feed

The entire supply of feed or part of it for the day is stored in the feed or fodder room. It is not recommended to store hay in a stable building due to the risk of fire and insect spread. A day's supply of straw is placed on pallets or bedding next to the feed room.

Feed compartment requirements:

• dimensions – 2.4x3 meters, 1.8x3.4 meters;
• two entrances - external for delivery, internal for distribution of feed;
• internal door width - 1.2 meters;
• bright lighting to clearly distinguish labels;
• no gaps at the joints of the floor, walls and ceiling;
• hardwood door with metal trim, threshold and secure fastening;
• padlocks and latches;
• concrete floor to protect against rodents.

Bags of feed are placed on uncovered concrete if the region has a dry climate. When the humidity in the room is high, grates and trays are used. If a drainage system is provided during the construction of the stables, the floor of the feed room is raised 15 millimeters above the main level.

Feed room equipment:

• shelves;
• pallets;
• barrels, baskets, containers;
• scales;
• measuring buckets, canisters;
• stands and boards with feeding schedules and individual diets for individual horses.

Containers and bags are marked. There are usually no windows in the feed room. Lamps are placed evenly around the perimeter so that the shadow does not fall on signs, labels, or scale numbers.

Summer playground

The exit to the training court is located in the back wall of the stall or the horses are taken out through the central entrance. Court parameters:

• size – 20x40 meters for a rectangular shape;
• diameter – 22 meters for round.

The summer area is a place for horse training on the line. Therefore, the surface is made of adobe, covered with sand and sawdust for softness.

Construction Tips and Tricks

When building a stable it is recommended:

• during site planning, mark with flags places for stalls and utility rooms;
• lay the water supply system below the freezing level of the ground;
• when laying the foundation, it is important to maintain the markings of the corners of the building and observe the operation of the excavator;
• materials for all stages of construction, from foundation to roof, must be selected of the highest quality and their consumption must be calculated in advance;
• in regions with heavy snowfall, it is better to install an anti-icing system on the roof to prevent the drain from freezing;
• texture concrete driveways with stiff broom mops to improve traction;
• prime all sides of the sheathing boards before installing and laying insulation;
• Do not use oil-based varnishes and paints with a toxic odor.