When choosing accommodation for your horses, the main options are field shelters and stables. Both provide protection from the weather, but they work in different ways.
The right choice depends on how your horses live day to day, the size and layout of your land, and how you manage them.
A field shelter is a simple structure placed in a paddock to provide horses with protection from wind, rain, and strong sunlight.
Field shelters feature three enclosed sides and an open front, allowing horses to move in and out freely. They can be fitted with a gate for temporary enclosure.
Inside, horses share a large space, which makes them suitable for animals that get on well together.
There are two main types of horse field shelters: mobile and fixed.
Mobile field shelters can be moved around the field when needed. They are often mounted on skids so owners can reposition them with a tractor or vehicle. Moving the shelter occasionally helps prevent the ground around it from becoming muddy or heavily worn.
Mobile field shelters are most commonly used where horses live out for much of the year, rather than going back to their boxes every night. They can step inside the shelter during heavy rain, strong wind, or intense sun, then move back out to graze once conditions improve.
Fixed field shelters, on the other hand, are permanent structures anchored to a base or foundations. They are often built with heavier framing and can offer a more robust, long-term solution.
A fixed shelter is often the better option where the field layout is permanent, and horses regularly use the same turnout area. For example, it can be positioned close to a gateway, water supply, or feeding point where they naturally gather.
Horse stables are enclosed structures designed to house horses individually. Unlike field shelters, stables are divided into separate lockable boxes, each with its own space for resting, feeding, and care.
Stables make it easier for owners to manage feeding, bedding, grooming, and health checks. They also provide more complete protection from wind, rain, and cold weather, which is especially important when animals need rest or close supervision.
There are two main types of horse stables: mobile and fixed.
Mobile stables are designed to be repositioned around a field or yard when required. Like mobile field shelters, they are mounted on skids. This allows owners to move the stables from time to time so the same area of ground is not constantly in use.
Mobile stables are often used where horses live out for much of the year but occasionally need to be brought in.
Fixed stables, by contrast, are permanent structures installed on prepared bases or foundations. They are usually constructed with heavier framing and more durable materials.
Fixed stables are the best option when horses need regular stabling. They can be positioned close to tack rooms, feed stores, or yard areas, making daily management more practical and efficient.
Field shelters
Horse stables
In many cases, horses can live outside with access to a field shelter for weather protection.
However, there are times when bringing a horse into a stable is useful or necessary; for example:
For these reasons, many horse owners build both field shelters and stables.
A field shelter should be large enough for horses to enter, turn, and stand comfortably without crowding. If more than one horse will use the shelter, there should be enough space for them to move in and out freely.
A shelter that is too small can lead to problems. Horses may compete for space, and more dominant animals may block the entrance, preventing others from using it.
For this reason, many owners choose a larger shelter. A wider opening also helps reduce the risk of horses becoming trapped or pushed aside when entering or leaving.
Horses are well adapted to living outdoors, but they still benefit from access to shelter during winter.
Cold temperatures alone are not usually a problem for healthy horses with a good winter coat. However, wind, prolonged rain, and wet conditions can make it harder for some to maintain body heat. Shelter allows them to step out of the weather and stay drier and more comfortable.
For horses that live out, a field shelter often provides sufficient protection. It gives horses a place to escape strong winds or heavy rain while still allowing them to move freely around the field.
Older or clipped horses, and those in regular work, often benefit from being brought into a stable during harsh conditions.
At Chart Stables, we design and build practical timber stables and field shelters - both fixed and static - that are made to handle everyday yard use. Our buildings use solid structural framing and pressure-treated timber to provide strength, durability, and weather protection.
We can also help you plan the layout of your buildings, whether you need a field shelter for horses living out, a stable block for daily management, or both.
