presentation on timber stables and their importance for horse welfare
DESCRIPTION
Scotts of Thrapston has been designing, manufacturing and installing timber stables for over 50 years. This presentation is for equine students to give them an insight and understanding on the importance of stabling and its design with respect to their horse(s) performanceTRANSCRIPT
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
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
Leading supplier of timber stables in the UK…
…with attention to detail being of paramount importance
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
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…
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
to planning permission…
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
through to the final installation of the buildings on-site…
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
Products include external Loose boxes…
American style barns
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
Workshops and Garages
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
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
Stable Design ConsiderationsStable Design Considerations
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
Stable Design ConsiderationsStable Design Considerations
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
Stable Design ConsiderationsStable Design Considerations
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
Stable Design ConsiderationsStable Design Considerations
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
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
Roof Pitch and Roof MaterialRoof Pitch and Roof Material
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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)
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
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
Stable design factorsStable design factors
Scotts Stables and Equestrian BuildingsScotts Stables and Equestrian Buildings
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?