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Post by emsxx on Dec 30, 2007 22:49:15 GMT 1
Hi Everyone,
I am hoping to get stables built in the spring (well, before April) and am currently gathering brochures and looking at quality and price and could do with some advice please...
Firstly, anyone got good or bad experiences with stable manufacturers - quality, service, after care, reliability, etc?
Secondly, what features should I go for if I have the money? For instance I am thinking of horse grilles between stables but what about anything else like back guttering, extended overhang at the front, windows at the back as well as the front (worried about the draught), anything else?
Thanks in advance...
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 30, 2007 23:09:28 GMT 1
 My stables have windows at the front and back and sides, in the end boxes. Louvre grills at the ends at roof height for air circulation, and as high a roofs as possible. They have front and back guttering, and a large overhang at the front. I do have a grilled window in between some of the boxes which I can put covers on when necessary ----------some horses don't like their privacy invaded when they're in their box. Oh and I have rubber on the walls of the youngster's boxes, in case they try and kick the walls-----------they soon stop, if they can't hear themselves lol 
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Post by horsey123 on Dec 30, 2007 23:34:42 GMT 1
we have grills between stables a window at the back what can be opend i have a big over hang at the front they are very talll i have black gutters i have very high roofs
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Post by emsxx on Dec 31, 2007 11:14:16 GMT 1
Thanks for the replies - hadn't thought of rubber on the walls but can see how it makes sense!!
Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about specific makes e.g. chart, the stable co, national, prime, etc?
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 31, 2007 11:21:54 GMT 1
I have just had a horrible experience with "Prime"  My stables are Windsor / Oakley and I have felt roofs which needed replacing as they are 15 yrs old. Mr Oakley has retired and ceased to trade and recommended Prime. They are a bunch of cowboys. The guys they sent were not proper joiners, one was an ex fashion designer, and the other one had only been erecting stables a few months--------------------they didn't have a clue. I had to stop them doing the job half way through and get a proper joiner/ carpenter to re do it . Only paid half, but was still ripped off , -----------------don't go there!!!! 
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ps
Advanced Poster
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Post by ps on Dec 31, 2007 11:28:36 GMT 1
We have Browns of Wem stables and have had no problems at all. As we had to have a tiled roof (planning reg!) we couldn't have an onduline roof with clear panels in to allow more light so we have windows front and back and an opening top door at the back. We have grilles between adjoining stables. We also have an extended overhang which is well worth the money. Browns were very helpful and built 2 of the stables with pony sized doors at our request. We have guttering all round (think this is standard with Browns). We have a large corner box which we use as a tack room. Browns fitted this with a solid one piece door with 3 lever mortice lock and we had no window fitted in this box for security reasons.
Browns were excellent to deal with and I would recommend them 100%.
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Post by emsxx on Dec 31, 2007 11:28:48 GMT 1
Interesting comment as the sales guy at Prime is also new and obviously wanting to do well so calling me more than the others. I really don't want the stress of getting people who don't know what they're doing.
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Post by emsxx on Dec 31, 2007 11:30:02 GMT 1
Thanks ps, had not heard of Browns of Wem - will request a brochure now...
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Dec 31, 2007 11:31:07 GMT 1
No one does better stabling than Harlow or Scotts, they are very expensive but you really do get what you pay for. I wish I could have afforded them. The main consideration is to get a company that will put a decent height/ pitch of roof on your stables. Look at the adverts in H& H and see the difference between Harlow/ Scotts and most of the others. Most of them are no where near high enough so you don't get proper air flow and ventilation. I requested higher roofs and got them, but a lot of companies just have a fixed height. Good luck xxx
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ps
Advanced Poster
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Post by ps on Dec 31, 2007 11:32:39 GMT 1
SS3 made a good point about a high roof and louvre grilles. We have a high roof so the pitch matched an existing building. On a hot day our stables feel much cooler, less stuffy and more airy than any other I know of.
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Post by lolamae on Dec 31, 2007 12:06:41 GMT 1
Hi,
No advice about makers I am afraid, but from experience, if you can get away with it, a clear roofing panel makes an incredible amount of difference.
I also didn't put in proper windows at the sides but had a window sized flip down hatch instead which could be opened and closed as I wanted, because of my clear roofing, the hatch was there purely as another vantage point for the horse and ventilation on warm days rather than an extra light source.
Guttering is a must, also useful for collecting rainwater if you need to. An overhang is absolutely essential as far as I am concerned, the wider you can get it the better.
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Post by horsefeed on Dec 31, 2007 12:29:41 GMT 1
Guttering is definately a must. Depends where you build your stable but guttering that runs into a water trough in a field is good, you just need to clean it regulary. It reduces your water bill. If you do this ensure you put a tape in so you can fill the trough during the summer when it dry too.
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Post by emsxx on Dec 31, 2007 13:48:07 GMT 1
I love the idea of gathering the rain water - thanks.
Sounds like tall roofs are a must - that means the more expensive ranges, which is fine, as I plan on having these a long time and dont want to spend a load of money and think afterwards for the sake of a little more in the grand scheme of things I could have had it perfect. How high is high enough?
Do I need to specify the clear roof panels in my planning app? I already have planning for an american barn but they are about twice the price of a yard so probably going to go for a U-shape with 2 corner foaling boxes of 12x18 if the planners let me change it (please, pretty please!) and definitely want light and airy.
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Post by Pauline on Dec 31, 2007 14:06:42 GMT 1
I find Redmire to be the best stable and field shelters. They are not the cheapest but the best built. Good after service too. www.redmire.co.uk/ |
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Post by emsxx on Dec 31, 2007 14:19:39 GMT 1
I have the redmire brochure and was very impressed - not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.
One thing they do have is the corner boxes have their doors on an angle - is this better, worse or indifferent given that I will be putting pregnant and/or mares with foals at foot in them?
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My stables have windows at the front and back and sides, in the end boxes. Louvre grills at the ends at roof height for air circulation, and as high a roofs as possible. They have front and back guttering, and a large overhang at the front. I do have a grilled window in between some of the boxes which I can put covers on when necessary ----------some horses don't like their privacy invaded when they're in their box. Oh and I have rubber on the walls of the youngster's boxes, in case they try and kick the walls-----------they soon stop, if they can't hear themselves lol 
My stables are Windsor / Oakley and I have felt roofs which needed replacing as they are 15 yrs old. Mr Oakley has retired and ceased to trade and recommended Prime. They are a bunch of cowboys. The guys they sent were not proper joiners, one was an ex fashion designer, and the other one had only been erecting stables a few months--------------------they didn't have a clue. I had to stop them doing the job half way through and get a proper joiner/ carpenter to re do it . Only paid half, but was still ripped off , -----------------don't go there!!!! 
