3 Factors to Consider When Designing a Stable for Your Horses

When planning to design and build a stable to house your horses, you want the very best and most logical structure to provide shelter and comfort for the animals. It is advisable that you consult with a company that specializes in the design and construction of equine stables. It will be time well spent. At the outset, there are at least 3 factors to take into consideration to achieve the best solution.

1. What Type of Building is Best Suited for a Stable

You want a structure that has plenty of open interior space for design flexibility. Most times this is a post-frame barn that utilizes timber posts for vertical support and wood trusses for roof framing. This is also referred to as a pole barn. The advantage of this type of structure is the wide-open floor plan that allows you to customize the size of stalls and aisles.

Once the type of building is decided upon, you will want to lay out the stalls with adequate room in each for the horse’s comfort and safety. Aisles should also be generous enough for transitioning the animals from the stalls to the outdoors. This is also a necessary space for grooming and saddling, especially in inclement weather. You can add a wash bay with adequate drainage and a tack room to the plan.

2. Plan for Ventilation and Natural Daylight

Properly designed stable buildings have roofs that offer natural ventilation through the eaves and ridge vent. An attractive slatted cupola can be added to increase the ventilation. With a truss roof framing system, you have the opportunity to add mechanical ventilation using fans and ductwork to move the air more adequately. This is especially helpful in warmer climates.

Natural daylight can be incorporated into the façade with window openings that can be shuttered and garage doors that either swing open or roll up. The openings add to the ventilation. You also have the opportunity to add skylights and/or cupolas with windows. In addition to natural daylight, you can use the roof trusses to hang electric lights that are designed specifically for livestock barns and stables. Today, these are often energy-efficient LED lamps that save money in the long run.

3. Select Sturdy Materials

An equine enclosure needs to withstand the elements. You might want a contemporary look with metal cladding and a standing seam metal roof. If you are going for a more traditional look, choose wood or fiber cement siding.

On the interior, you are going to want sturdy materials for the floor and stall enclosures. The most common flooring material is a poured concrete slab that is pitched to drains for easy cleaning. The concrete is often topped with rubber mats or PVC tiles to protect the horses’ hooves and provide more comfort in damp, cold weather. Stall enclosures are most commonly strong solid wood and metal structures with heavy doors that have high quality hardware. These are so easy to configure and customize in a post-frame stable.