When designing stables, it is imperative to consider the physical and mental well-being of the horses and ponies who will spend much of their time in them.
There are standard features and dimensions every equestrian building should adhere to. All Chart Stables buildings comply with the British Horse Society (BHS) recommendations, such as stall dimensions, non-slip flooring, ventilation, and lighting. So you can rest assured your pets will love their new home.
However, you can add a number of upgrades to the design that will ensure the longevity of the building and keep larger, stronger horses safe. Consider a thicker frame, stronger doors, and weatherboarding.
In this article, we will help you choose the best stable upgrades to make your equestrian building robust, functional, durable, and beautiful.
Timber framing provides a sturdy and durable structure that can withstand the elements and support the weight of your wooden stables.
A thicker frame provides better structural stability and durability, ensuring the long-term integrity of the stables. The increased thickness also allows you to accommodate larger spans, so you can design open, airy stalls and rooms with fewer internal supports.
That is why, at Chart Stables, we offer timber framing as thick as 100mm x 50mm. Our Chart, Chester, and Chester Tiled Roof stables come with 100mm x 50mm high-quality timber framing.
If you can only afford one upgrade, choose thicker timber framing. It will extend the life of your stable block by years.
The overlapping boards of weatherboarding are fitted horizontally to create a weather-resistant barrier that protects the underlying structure from the elements, improving the building's longevity.
If well-maintained, weatherboarding can last for many years. Regular treatment or staining helps preserve the wood’s natural beauty and protects it from moisture, sunlight, and insects. Moreover, individual boards can be replaced without affecting the rest of the wall.
Finally, weatherboarding is beautiful to look at. It gives your stables’ external walls a traditional feel, and the natural variations in wood grain and colour are particularly pleasing.
At Chart Stables, you can upgrade your stables to a sawn-tapered, overlapping weatherboard. It is available in 22mm x 150mm or 32mm x 175mm.
Adding rear doors enhances cross-ventilation and natural airflow.
Good ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy, comfortable environment for your horses, preventing the build-up of ammonia and condensation. A rear opening allows fresh air to circulate freely through the barn while helping regulate temperature and humidity levels.
At Chart Stables, we can install fully framed rear doors with galvanised fittings and secure bolts to ensure excellent airflow without compromising safety.
If your stable block is not very close to your home, having a dedicated space to store and organise supplies and horse riding equipment inside your stables is essential.
You will always have saddles, bridles, helmets, grooming tools, and other equestrian gear close at hand, so you will not need to head back to your car or house to fetch equipment.
Moreover, a tack room is a great place where to arrange, clean, and maintain all your gear. As it is located inside the stables, you also get to spend more time around your horses and ponies.
Chart Stables’ tack rooms are spacious and functionally designed. They come with robust doors you can lock with a throw or rim lock, so your equipment is safe.
If you’re building a home for a bigger horse, you will need to upgrade the stable doors.
Larger horses need more headroom to enter and exit the stables and to look out while they spend time inside. Crucially, they have stronger teeth and legs, so the door containing them needs to be especially sturdy. Choose a completely encased metal-framed door with anti-chew stripping.
Our Chester Stable Doors are 2.23m (7’ 4’’) high, hung in a metal frame, and completely encased in galvanised anti-chew stripping. They are also ledged, braced, and lined with ply kickboarding. These premium doors can withstand heavy kicking, making them ideal for larger, lively horses.
Kickboarding protects your stable walls from impact damage caused by horses kicking or pawing.
Fitted around the interior walls, it absorbs impact and prevents splintering or structural wear. It also creates a smoother, safer surface inside each stall.
At Chart Stables, we offer high-quality ply or OSB lining that is easy to clean, hygienic, and long-lasting.
Roof vents help stale, warm air escape naturally through the roof's ridge. This constant upward airflow complements side openings and keeps the air inside your stables fresh and dry.
Ridge vents are especially beneficial in larger or enclosed stable blocks; they reduce condensation and improve overall air quality.
Chart Stables incorporates ridge vents into all designs for optimal ventilation.
If you want your timber stable block to look even more charming, choose cedar shingles roofing.
Cedar shingles are known not just for their beauty but also for their durability. Thanks to the natural oils in cedar wood, they protect your wooden stables from the elements, burrowing insects, and decay. They boast a lifespan of up to 50 years.
Cedar shingles also provide natural insulation against cold and hot weather, keeping your pets comfortable year-round. Being 100% natural, they are also an environmentally friendly choice.
At Chart Stables, you can upgrade your roofing to cedar shingles. We install them for you.
A canopy provides shade and protection from rain, creating a sheltered area outside the stables where you and your horses can stand comfortably in all weathers.
It also helps keep bedding dry by preventing rain from blowing into open doors.
All Chart Stables blocks include a 1.2m (4’) front canopy with guttering as standard. The canopy can be extended to 1.8m (6’) and upgraded with 150mm x 150mm (6” x 6”) support posts, strengthened headers, and elegant curved bracing.
Adding eaves height to your stables gives your horses more headroom and improves internal airflow. It allows warm air to rise and escape more easily, helping to maintain a cooler, well-ventilated environment during the summer months..
The Chester range includes a generous eaves height of 2.46m, ensuring safety, comfort, and excellent air circulation year-round.
You can completely customise your Chart Stables stable block with stalls of different dimensions, a wash bay, a hay store, a tack room, windows and doors, and your preferred roofing, cladding and lining material.
Our team has decades of experience in designing horse stables. A personal stable planner will work with your specifications, needs, preferences, and budget to create the perfect stable block for your property and pets.
