Why stable a horse

If your horse has a thin winter coat, or their coat is thinner one year, then they might need to be stabled at night. Make sure they have a good quality rug whilst out in the field — these can protect them down to very low temperatures. You might want to consider stabling horses at night for their safety and comfort. The fields are too muddy. Bad weather and excessively muddy fields could cause a horse to slip, or damage a tendon if they are running.

Stabling your horse overnight can give both the horse and the field some much-needed recovery time. Horses that are exposed to the elements all night long will often fare better when kept in a stable. If you would prefer to keep your horse out in the pasture, you might want to consider the option of a field shelter. If a horse has health problems, they might need to be kept indoors temporarily to allow them to recover in a warm, dry spot.

Some conditions will require specialist treatment, in particular mud fever, which can cause painful sores and lead to lameness if left untreated. It will begin in the pastern or heel, and lesions will move up the leg, around the fetlock and up to the knee in severe cases.

Consult your vet if you think your hose may be affected by mud fever. As the name suggests, this condition thrives in wet, muddy conditions. It might also be exacerbated by spiky vegetation and weeds in fields, or by sandy floors and sawdust. You might need to keep your horse stabled in dry conditions while they recover, but check with your vet that you are providing the right conditions and bedding to promote healing. Stables at night, pastures by day — achieving the perfect balance For most horses, a combination of stable and pasture will keep them in the best possible health.

Making a stable a perfect environment for your horse Whilst a night spent in a stable can be good for a horse, you do need to be careful to get the conditions right. Here are some ideas: Provide plenty of hay and straw for comfort. This will make the stable feel welcoming and your horse will enjoy munching away on hay any time of the day or night. If your horse suffers from allergies or other health conditions, talk to your vet about suitable bedding materials. Give your horses toys to keep them entertained.

You can buy a variety of horse toys for stables to keep them entertained. Stable them close to other horses for the social element. Horses are herd animals and love company. Muck out your stables regularly. The frequency will depend on the type of bedding you use. Sometimes with absorbent woodchip, deep littering might be enough.

If you use hay and straw, you will probably need to muck out every day. Bedding or matting should cover the whole stable floor, particularly near the door, to help avoid strain on limbs and joints from standing on hard flooring, such as bare concrete, for long periods of time.

Effective ventilation in your stable is essential all year round, to encourage fresh air to circulate, for temperature control and to help decrease the risk of respiratory problems such as equine asthma previously known as recurrent airway obstruction RAO. Ventilation can be achieved through stable doors, adequate roof height, air vents and windows. Windows, for example positioned at the back of the stable, help to provide natural light and ventilation.

Never use glass in stable windows as it will become extremely dangerous if it shatters. You can use perspex or safety glass for your window, but a metal grill fitted between the horse and the glass is advised for safety.

Alternatively, as shown in the image below, windows can be opened and closed by a smaller hatch, which allows the opportunity for the horse to fully look out. Jon Stroud Media. Stable doors should open outwards or slide across and must be able to fasten securely shut. Depending on the design, a stable door can be fastened securely with both a top and bottom bolt known as a kick bolt. Stable doors should be a minimum of 1.

The height of the door and roof should allow the horse or pony to look out with the head comfortably over the door to be able to express natural behaviours maintained by visual stimulation.

It is essential for there to be adequate lighting in your stable area to allow you to see and care for your horse safely, especially in the dark winter months.

All light fittings and wiring must be installed with safety in mind. Make sure wires are not exposed to avoid them being chewed on! Putting a horse safe mirror on the stable wall may help to reduce stress. Horses are naturally herd animals and tend to enjoy the company of other horses. By stabling your horses together, you allow for socialisation within the stables. However, care should be taken when selecting the horses that are compatible. Horses that are naturally more aggressive should be segregated to prevent injury.

If kept on their own, horses require more human contact and supervision. Having access to stables allows you to tether your horse in a safe space where he is protected from the elements.

Tethering your horse is where you secure your horse, using an appropriately attached chain or rope, to a desired area, confining it to one space. Although tethering must not be used as a long-term strategy, it is very beneficial should you need to secure your animal for inspection or grooming. Having a solid stable structure allows you to successfully tether your horse for short amounts of time in an environment that is safe and protected from the elements.

If you would like any more information about horse stables, which are the best choice for you and where to buy them, why not check out our range at Prime Stables? We sell a variety of functional and impressive horse stables that are hand-crafted by our team of professional in-house carpenters. Do you care for your horse? Buy our horse stables today!