Stables

How To Build The Perfect Stables For Horse And Owner

Despite the fact that New Zealanders are renowned for keeping their horses outside, more and more people are deciding to add horse stables to their property. There are a myriad of reasons for this. For starters, it enables those with competition animals to keep their animals clean before events. There is nothing worse than meticulously bathing an equine, turning it out and then bringing it in the morning of the show, to find it top to toe in mud. Horse stables can also be very useful when a horse or pony is sick or injured. When stabled, their environment and feed can be closely controlled and monitored to ensure they have the best possible chance of recovery.

Once it has been decided that horse stables will be built, the design must be carefully considered to ensure the end product will suit both the horses and the individuals using it. To begin with, the owner needs to think about the style that would be most appropriate for them. The most traditional type of stabling and the one that is probably most suited to New Zealand conditions, comprises of either a single stable or several stables next to each other, each one with a stable door that opens out directly onto an open yard. The advantages to this design are that ventilation is very good and the structure is usually very flexible. If an additional box is required in later years, it is generally not too much trouble to add one to the end of the block.

If the horse stables can be incorporated into a structure that is already present on the property, this should also be taken into consideration as it will probably be a much cheaper, easier option. Stable suppliers and manufacturers, including providers of kitset stables, can insert stables and other related fixtures into a pre-existing barn, as long as the structure is sound. However, do bear in mind that if this type of barn stabling is being deliberated, ventilation must be given due attention. Barn systems can become very stuffy if there are not enough windows and vents. This is not healthy for the horse and can lead to serious respiratory problems if not taken care of.

When planning the design of the stables, the owner should think about whether they require a place to store rugs and other possessions. A tack room, separate feed room, and a coffee room with toilet if the stables are not close to the main house, can be very convenient extras.

Once the design itself has been settled on, specific sizes and other details should be considered. The recommended stable size for a horse is 12ft x 12ft (3.6m x 3.6m). However, this would need to be slightly larger for heftier individuals, preferably 12ft x 14ft (3.6m x 4.2m). For ponies the recommended minimum dimensions should be 10ft x 10ft (3m x 3m) and 10ft x12ft (3m x 3.6m) for larger ponies. The height of any stable should be between 9ft (2.7m) and 11ft (3.3m), with a minimum of 3ft (0.9m) clearance of the roof. Along with the standard boxes, if the owner has any breeding ambitions, foaling boxes are a good idea. A desirable size for a foaling stable would be 16ft x 16ft (4.8m x 4.8m).

Other things that can be weighed up are whether to have rubber matting or plain concrete floor. Rubber matting can be a sensible option as it provides cushioning for the horse when it lies down, preventing capped hocks and other blemishes. It also saves money on bedding as not as much is required. However, it is a pricier option so budget would need to be taken into account.

The construction of horse stables is a lifelong dream for many and a substantial financial investment. It is also a place that will have to be right for the horse, especially if they are going to be brought in every night. For this reason, it is important that enough time and thought is dedicated to the project to make sure the design will work for everyone. Get the basics right, and both horse and owner will be left with stables that are safe, attractive and an absolute pleasure to use.

Equine Trader was launched in 2007 and has quickly developed into a leading online equestrian resource. It appeals to New Zealanders who own, ride and are passionate about horses. However, the hugely popular website also attracts equine lovers from throughout the rest of the world. Membership is free and allows registered users to buy and sell through classifieds and auctions at no charge, browse over 400 horses and ponies for sale and participate in a wide range of exciting competitions and games. The site also boasts an extensive online stallion stud book, a comprehensive equestrian product and services directory, news articles, event listings and an ongoing educational TV series, featuring top Kiwi horse riders, trainers and competitors.

On top of that, in mid-2010 Equine Trader introduced a vibrant online discussion forum, which has become very well-liked and is frequently visited by members from both New Zealand and further afield. View our horse stables, horse shelters and barns directory listings here. NZ's most comprehensive online equestrian directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Van_Tuyl

Stables

Horses, Stables, And Horse Properties

If you are planning to buy and keep horses as pets or business, you must consider buying realty horse properties. Horses are not like cats and dogs that you can keep indoors or allow to sleep on your bed. Horses are big animals that need lots of space. In an ideal setting, a horse must have the following: a barn, a stable, and lots of open spaces. You can hardly keep a horse in your backyard without drawing the ire of your wife and that of your neighbors. The best thing you can do if you don't have the dough to buy several acres of land is to lease a stable. The internet and most equine magazines provide listings of major companies leasing horse properties to horse owners.

However, don't just pick out a name and and drive your horse over. There are certain qualities that a stable must possess to be ideal and healthy for your animal. You don't want to visit one day and find your muscled stallion reduced to a whiny bag of bones. Go over the stable-choosing process methodically to ensure that you don't miss out important details. First, identify your stable and service requirements. Horse experts suggest making the safety, health, and the security of your animal as your primary concerns in picking out a stable. But don't forget about your convenience. You don't want to drive 20 miles or take a plane just to visit your horse. Ask the local horse enthusiasts for recommendations to good stables. These people know insider information you may not get from the internet. Magazines on horse properties also feature reviews about horse barns and stables.

Pick a stable you can reach easily in case of an emergency. After picking out candidates, do ocular visits to check the area. It is important to visit the stables in person. The pictures of horse properties in the internet or in the magazines are edited or taken for the purpose of advertising. This means that these pictures only show the good angles of the stables. In doing a random personal inspection, you see the good and the bad sides of the stables. For example, the stables may be impeccable, but the surrounding fences are rickety. Check the stables for cleanliness and ask the caretaker how often does the stable get cleaned. Take note of the supplies in the feed room to see if they have everything your horse might need like stable blankets and proper bridle. The construction of the fences are also important. There may be openings for possible escapes which can breach the stable security. This is not being obsessive or too demanding. This is about protecting your pet and your investment (horses don't come cheap) from no-good horse properties.

To know more about horse properties and stables, visit http://www.propertyhorse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_T._Atilia

Stables

Horse Boarding Stables - The Important Steps to a Happy Horse

When looking through the different horse boarding stables around, it may become a little intimidating trying to figure out which one would be the best one for not only your horse, but for your needs as well. There are many places that offer good deals for boarding a horse, but of course the question in mind would be if the facility offers the proper equipment and enough free roaming space for the horse's happiness and good health.

One of the more important things that horses would need to get great exercise is a large enough area to run, play and interact with other horses. Check the amount of room available for the horses, while also keeping in mind the number of horses that are boarded in that particular stable. If there are too many horses in a small area, most, if not all of the horses will experience stress that may begin to affect them physically and emotionally. Horses are very social and athletic creatures that need opportunities to learn and grow with other horses, while also going out to explore their surroundings.

Another very important thing to look at is the stables themselves. Make sure the stables are well structured and in good working order, with a fair amount of room for the horses to stay in. Just as important as the exercise fields, the stables must be an adequate size to keep the horse relaxed and give them a sense of safety without being too constricting. Check the equipment in and around the stables to see their condition as well. If everything looks to be well kept and regularly checked and cleaned, shows the general care given to caring for the horses.

For most, finding the perfect horse boarding stables the first place they check would be considered very lucky, but of course it is quite possible. Ask around to people you know and trust, or check with the different equestrian shops that you know. The staff are usually horse experts and certainly the people who would have the most background knowledge of the various boarding stables around.

For more information about Boarding Stables in tx, have a look on the author's website at http://www.doringcourtstables.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Bert