Presentation on Timber Stables and their importance for horse welfare

Scotts of Thrapston Scotts of Thrapston LimitedLimited

History of ScottsHistory of Scotts

Established in 1920

Family business

Strong heritage and renowned for the design and manufacture of quality timber products

Strong pedigree and celebrating 90th Anniversary

Involved in many different markets, offering a range of products including…

Stables

Summerhouses

Doors

Windows

Roof Trusses

Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings

Involved in manufacturing stables for over 50 years


Leading supplier of timber stables in the UK…

…with attention to detail being of paramount importance


Customers range from the private individual through to commercial yards and studs

Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings Scotts gets involved in the whole process from Design…


to planning permission…


through to the final installation of the buildings on-site…


Products include external Loose boxes…

American style barns


Workshops and Garages



Hay Barns

Stable Design ConsiderationsStable Design Considerations

A healthy and safe environment for your horse is paramount. There are two main aspects:

Yard design in terms of layout, position and siting

Stable design in terms of construction, design detail and overall specification

Basic Stable Design RequirementsBasic Stable Design Requirements

Principle design requirements for your stables are the same, whatever discipline you are involved in…

Dryness

Warmth

Fresh Air (draught free)

Hygiene and safety

Natural light

In addition, the horses needs are similar to the requirements of the staff and owners:

Safe and easy access to boxes

Visual supervision and security of animals

Proximity of water, feed, bedding to the boxes

Ease of removal of waste matter

Artificial light


Brick vs Timber Stables

Advantages of timber stables…

• Natural material ~ sustainable

• Speed and ease of installation

• Thermal efficiency

• Cost effective

• Flexibility for adding future buildings easily

• Possibility of moving them at a later date

• Positive reactions from Local Authority Planning departments

• Potentially less damage to the horses, from kicking


Traditional loose boxes vs American style barns

• In working yards, American barns are popular since everything is in one place and arranged around a central passageway, which gives total shelter for staff and makes for a more efficient work place

• Horses are generally sociable creatures and they appreciate the shared view of each other within an American barn

• With an American barn, if a horse gets sick they probably all will. This is, however, less likely to happen in a traditional stabling set-up

• Natural light enters an American barn through the open top storey, giving good illumination throughout the day and giving a generally “airy” feel. Loose boxes need more artificial lighting to achieve the same effect

• Planning Permission is usually more difficult to obtain for American barns, especially in sensitive locations and they tend to work out significantly more expensive than loose boxes for the same stabling capacity


Planning considerations

Optimum yard design

• Layout e.g. L shaped, straight line, American barn

etc. to suit the yards working practices

• Examples….

U-shaped yard

L-shaped yard

E-shaped yard

Straight Line

American style barns


Optimum yard design

• Positioning of feed room, tack room, haystore, muck heap

• Prevailing wind direction

• Surrounding architecture / environment

• Access

Most important ~ must be people and horse friendly!

Stable design factorsStable design factors

Roof Pitch and Roof MaterialRoof Pitch and Roof Material



Steeper roof pitches can improve headroom within the box and improve the ventilation

Generally roof pitches are no lower than 25° and up to 45°

Roof coverings vary to suit budget and appearance



Choose from sheet materials through to slate or clay tiles

Pitch of roof can affect the materials you can choose

Often roof material is down to planning decision so height of building usually under 4m to the ridge

Scotts can be flexible to meet all budgets

Roof material can alter overall appearance


OverhangsOverhangs

The size of the overhang can greatly affect the appearance and practical use of the yard

Vary from 1.2m wide without posts, to 1.8m and over with posts

Wider overhangs give greater protection from sun and rain for the horse and the owner

Rear overhangs are also possible

1.2m overhang

1.8m overhang with posts


VentilationVentilation

The most important aspect of equine accommodation is adequate and proper ventilation

A horses health and performance can be impaired from infections as a result of poor ventilation or stale air

Ideal environmental conditions are frequent air changes, with clean, fresh air, but without introducing draughts

Good ventilation alone will not provide the best environmental conditions if the structure is not designed to help

As a result of the above, you will get a building carefully thought out that will help achieve optimum performance


Ventilation continued…Ventilation continued…

The natural air movement within a loose box is generally by:

Stack Effect ~ the movement of warm air generated by the heat given off the horse. The rising air currents induce a circular air movement within the box

Aspiration ~ this is the effect of the wind outside the box passing over the building and sucking out air from the box as it passes over

Wind Effect ~ this is the direct effect of air entering and passing through the box. This can have the greatest impact on the ventilation within a box but should not be relied on as the sole source of ventilation as, on a windless day, the box would not be adequately ventilated


Height to eavesHeight to eaves

Standard height to eaves (lower edge of the roof) is 2.4m

Professional yards demand increased eaves height

Providing adequate headroom is gained from the roof pitch then a height of 2.4m to eaves is satisfactory


Size of Loose BoxSize of Loose Box

The size of the loose box is dependant on your application and the size of your horse(s)

The average size is 3.6m x 3.6m

For the larger leisure horse, the hunter, polo pony or racehorse, the normal size of box is between 14m² and 18m² (approx 3.6m x 4.2m up to 4.2m x 4.2m)

The box size is generally increased for broodmares to around 20m²

Foaling boxes and post foaling boxes are usually designed at 25m² (approx 6m x 4.2m)


Consideration for stable doors Consideration for stable doors

Style of stable door ~ must be functional and safe

Size of door

Position of door

Handing of door


Consideration for stable windowsConsideration for stable windows

Daylight

Provision of air movement and ventilation

Louvre style windows take air over the horses back

Enhancing air flow

Laminated glass for safety

Integral galvanised grilles

Glazed top doors for rear of the boxes


Security and SafetySecurity and Safety

When planning yard layout, consider fencing and gates to create a turn-out area

Door security

Tack Room security important

Easy access for emergency vehicles

Security for animals and owner / staff paramount


Additional rooms, stores, washdown areasAdditional rooms, stores, washdown areas

Tack Room, Feed Room, Rug Room, Muck Heap

Separate tack and feed

Ideally position tack and feed room in the centre of the yard, either side of the washdown area

Security ~ both in terms of the style of the door and the position in the yard

Positioning for deliveries to keep vehicles out of the yard

The size of the additional room depends on the number of boxes etc.

Tidiness

Accessories and their benefits for your horseAccessories and their benefits for your horse

Various accessories can be purchased for your brick or timber stables, including doors and windows

Haybars ~ Allow the horse to maintain a natural head position which prevents dental abnormalities

Horses that are not fed from nets or racks maintain a far more balanced wear pattern to their teeth enabling them to grind properly and in turn gaining the full value of their food

Equimat rubber flooring system for stables ~ offers cushioned comfort and thermal insulation, fewer respiratory disorders from bedding and less tendency to slip or become cast



ConclusionConclusion

To create a healthy and safe environment for horse and rider

Efficient layout

Good siting

Quality box designs

Excellent ventilation

If the stabling is right, you will have a healthy and relaxed horse, that will perform to its optimum, and a contented owner!

Scotts of Thrapston Scotts of Thrapston LimitedLimited

Any questions?Any questions?

Presentation on Timber Stables and their importance for horse welfare

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Transcript of Presentation on Timber Stables and their importance for horse welfare