Taking care of horses is a big commitment and providing good quality stabling for them is a must. Whether you are building a new stable from scratch, renovating your old stables or converting an existing building into a stable, there are a number of features you need to consider.

Comfort

Making your horses as comfortable as possible is doubtless one of your top priorities. The three areas to really focus on here are light, drainage and ventilation. Many older stables can be quite dark which is not ideal either for horses or those who care for them.

Proper drainage will help effluent drain away as well as water from cleaning, so try to make sure the floor is slightly sloped towards the main entrance if possible and include drainage channels.

Ensuring adequate air flow by including plenty of windows and vents should provide sufficient ventilation which is important to help your horses regulate their temperature in hot conditions and to prevent breathing problems.

Safety

A solid floor is one of the most important safety features for any stable with poured concrete being the most popular choice. Make sure there is nothing sticking out of the walls that your horses could potentially rub against and injure themselves. For bigger horses you also need to make sure that your walls are strong enough in case your animals start kicking them. If you are renovating an older building you may need to reinforce your existing walls to achieve this.

Weatherproofing

At its most basic, a stable is a place to keep your horses protected from the elements. Adequate weatherproofing is therefore essential and getting the right roof is one of the most important aspects of this. A lightweight steel roof, like Metrotile’s Aquapan roofing is light enough to be used with most structures and offers a cost-effective solution for roofing outbuildings of all types, including stables. The innovative coating applied to the steel makes Aquapan fully waterproof and prevents corrosion, allowing us to offer a 15 year weatherproof guarantee.

Metrotile offer a range of lightweight roofing types providing the ideal solutions for many different applications. To find out more about the various options and which product is most suitable for your needs, call Metrotile today on 01249 658 514 or use our contact form for a quick response.