Horse stall: how to build and equipment rules, dimensions and diagrams

A stable is a housing and utility building for keeping horses, storing harness, feed and cleaning equipment. In order to conveniently accommodate animals and economically use space, the stables are built according to a special project. 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 the stalls and utility rooms, as well as communication routes.

Choosing a building site

When choosing a place for a stable, take into account:

distance to home owners;
landscape features;
possibility of truck access.

Recommendations for preparing the site for construction:

stable will keep warm if it is built on an elevated plain. The hill is blown by the winds, and it is difficult to drive a truck with provisions uphill. The lowland is sheltered 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 for building a small building near the house, it is necessary to drain the soil.

An important criterion for choosing a site for a stable is the level of groundwater. 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 needed.

For a stable of 20 head or more, you will need a large area, so you can choose a more suitable place away from home.

Stable layout and design

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

Minor branches:

feed - for food storage;
inventory - for feeders, tools and sanitary utensils;
ammunic - for saddles, harnesses and other equipment;
hygienic - for washing and cleaning animals.

Additionally, at the stables, a room for guards and a manure storage are being equipped. In the absence of running water, a compartment for barrels of water is allocated. 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 foundations or assembled into cost-effective modular structures.

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

Letnik is a semi-closed stall, in which the door consists of an upper and lower half and opens onto a summer platform. Through the open upper part of the door, the horse breathes fresh air around the clock. Stages of building a flyer for one horse:

laying the foundation or ground base - cinder blocks are laid in the corners, between them - brick, on top - waterproofing material and wooden flooring. The foundation is sometimes replaced with sleepers;
building walls - install sandwich panels, which consist of two layers of PVC, fiberboard and insulation between them, sheathed with boards from the inside;
roof installation - they put corrugated board, metal tiles, ondulin.

A 2-horse stall is two stalls separated by a partition with separate exits. The summer stable is used as an additional place for keeping animals. The downside of the constant stay of the horse in a half-closed stall is the risk of a cold.

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

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

Stable for 8 heads

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

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

Cabins can open in and out. Utility rooms are located at the end of the structure.

Stable for 24 and 32 heads

For a large number of horses, a large room is required. A sample stable plan includes:

two wings with stalls;
household, administrative rooms;
summer playground;
outputs for horses;
a separate exit from the forage for receiving goods;
truck driveway.

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 as a solid rectangle or in the shape of the letter "P". The equestrian complexes are designing the second floor, as well as basements.

Construction work

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 procurement of material and tools

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

brick - durable, heat-insulating, breathable;
beam - retains heat and the optimal level of humidity, maintains a comfortable atmosphere in the room;
adobe - a mixture of clay and chopped straw, more practical, but a 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 wall cladding;
cement, concrete blocks, roofing material - used in the construction of the foundation.

The choice of material depends on the climate. For cold regions, brick and wood are suitable. Brick and wood masonry retain heat well. The stone, on the contrary, keeps cool. Stone stables need to provide good drainage and heating, otherwise it will be damp in residential and utility rooms. High humidity is bad for the well-being of horses and the safety of food.

Economical option - modular or tent stable. The module is quickly assembled from steel, wood and other parts with insulation. 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 measure 7.5 and 30 meters;
hand and electric saws;
drill;
plummet;
hammers.

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

Foundation

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

deep freezing of the earth;
composition and density of soil;
groundwater level.

Stable base requirements:

thermal insulation - the top level or plinth should be 50 centimeters above ground level;
waterproofing - to protect the room from moisture, 2 layers of roofing material or a waterproofing membrane are placed on top of the plinth;
strength - the foundation is built of stone, brick or concrete, less often hardwood timber is laid.

Moisture resistance and strength of the foundation of the stable increases the blind area of concrete. It is laid along the perimeter of the building at an angle - to drain melt and rainwater.

Walls

The main requirement for the walls of the stable, providing heat in the room - thickness:

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

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

Ceiling

Height of the ceiling in the stable - from 3 meters. From the inside, it 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.

Single or gable roof will prevent stagnant water. Two slopes are preferable for the stable, as they improve ventilation - stale air rises faster and is removed through the vents. The height of the gable roof ridge is not higher than 5 meters. The distance from the lower 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

Parameters of window openings:

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

In stables, you can not install windows 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 illuminates the room sufficiently. A panoramic roof would be an acceptable solution.

Stable Doorway Requirements:

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

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

Electricity

The wires in the stable must be fixed on top of the premises. Power cords on the walls should be covered with boxes. In large stables, electrical wiring is hidden under the wall sheathing. Horse Building Lighting Rules:

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

You also need to install a fire alarm and emergency light.

Ventilation

Horses produce a lot of heat and moisture, so the room should be regularly ventilated. Too dry air is just as bad for horses as moist 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 being developed:

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

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

Plumbing and heating

Normal stable temperature 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. In the buildings of stud farms, central heating is carried out. In northern areas with cold winters, the stables also provide a system of radiators and install heaters.

Plumbing allows you to install automatic drinkers and wash horses with a hose with a shower head. To provide the stables with hot water and heating, they design an additional boiler room or connect it to the inventory room.

Finishing the premises

The main points in the internal arrangement of the stable are the correct equipment of the stalls, the forage room, the provision of horses with comfortable feeders and drinkers. It is also necessary to provide a way to dispose of manure and equip the training ground.

Stables

The main problem of keeping horses in a stable is the lack of communication and movement. In dark narrow stalls, animals are restless, digging bedding with their hooves, nibbling on partitions and feeders. Due to improperly organized space, they become restless, 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, do not feel lonely. Stall size:

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

The stall is covered with a bedding of sawdust or peat. 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.So that the horses do not get bored, plastic mirrors are sometimes hung in the stalls. Working horses are kept in ordinary rectangular stalls in which they can stand or lie down. They are also called machines. In the stable for sports and decorative breeds, it is useful to equip several machines. They can be used as a temporary place where the horse will be during the cleaning of the stall.

Machine dimensions:

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

The width of the barre is selected so that the groom can go inside. A stall that is too wide will cause the horse to get stuck or hurt when 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, ceramic, rubber. Wooden feeders absorb the juice of plants and vegetables, are difficult to wash, horses often gnaw them. Cookware Requirements:

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, mold forms. The feeder should be deep enough to hold enough feed to feed the horse. Thanks to the high sides, the food will not crumble on the floor. For grass and straw, metal cribs are attached to the stall door.

Horses are watered several times a day, offered water in a bucket or plastic container. Do not leave full dishes in the stall, as the horse can knock it over and flood the bedding.

So that horses can drink around the clock, automatic drinking bowls connected to the water supply are installed in the stalls. Autodrinkers are made of cast iron, aluminum. With automated water supply, horses can play with the valve and flood the stall too.

An important piece of horse utensils is a s alt-lick stand. Loose s alt is inconvenient to give 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, they attach a ceramic stand for a lick block.

Dung storage

Farms use horse manure as fertilizer. Raw materials from two horses are immediately distributed on the grounds. To store a large amount 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 provided with waterproofing. How horse manure storage is built:

for a land lagoon they clear the surface of the earth, for a foundation pit they dig a hole;
tamp down the soil to prevent subsidence;
pour a layer of sand or small gravel;
reinforce with geotextile;
lay and weld geomembrane plates.

The geomembrane withstands frost and is resistant to aggressive manure environment 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 silos will be needed.

Hay and feed department

The feed or forage room stores all or part of the feed for the day. Hay is not recommended to be stored in the stable building due to the risk of fire and the spread of insects. The daily supply of straw is placed on pallets or bedding next to the forage room.

Feed box requirements:

dimensions - 2.4x3 meters, 1.8x3.4 meters;
two entrances - external for delivery, internal for distribution of feed;
inner 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 cladding, threshold and secure fastening;
padlocks and latches;
rodent proof concrete floor.

Food bags are placed on bare concrete if the region is dry. At high humidity in the room, grates and pallets are used. If a drainage system is provided during the construction of the stable, the floor of the forage room is raised 15 millimeters above the main level.

Feed room equipment:

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

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

Summer playground

Exit to the training court is arranged in the back wall of the stall or the horses are taken out through the main entrance. Court Options:

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

Summer ground - a place for training a horse on a lunge. Therefore, the surface is made of adobe, covered with sand and sawdust for softness.

Building tips and tricks

Recommended when building a stable:

during planning on the ground, flag places for stalls and utility rooms;
lay the water pipeline below the ground freezing level;
when laying the foundation, it is important to keep the marking of the corners of the building, to observe the work of the excavator;
materials for all stages of construction, from the foundation to the roof, you need to choose the highest quality and calculate their consumption 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;
concrete driveways textured with stiff broom mops to improve grip;
prime all sides of sheathing boards before installing and laying insulation;
do not use oil varnishes and paints with a toxic smell.

Laying the foundation, laying pipelines and hidden communications, it is desirable to shoot on video and camera. In the event of an accident or error, the recordings will show the exact location of the cables or pipes.