A build for all budgets Planning a new yard
What does it cost to put up a stable yard from scratch? Andrea Oakes checks out the options whether you’re on a tight budget or no expense spared
LOW – CIRCA £5,000
WHEN every penny counts, it’s important to pinpoint your precise stabling requirements. Consider the size, type and age of the horses that need housing. Are you looking for a very simple roof over their heads, for emergency or occasional use, or something more robust? Next, tot up the cost of water, drainage and electricity installation, plus any necessary ground and concrete base preparation, to calculate the available budget for the stables themselves.
The good news is that building on a budget need not mean compromising on quality, provided that you have realistic expectations and choose a reputable manufacturer that puts the horse at the heart of its business. But there’s a fine line between reining in costs and cutting corners. Even the most straightforward structure must do its job of keeping its occupant safe, dry and comfortable.
As a rough guide, budget around £4,000 for a simple concrete base for three stables with basic drainage and a small front apron.
Thinking outside the box, one possibility is a mobile block – which will not only save you the job of groundworks (and possibly planning permission), but has the added bonus that you can re-site your stables to suit seasonal weather conditions. Colt Stables offers a moveable triple stable, on metal skids, for £4,995.
Cost-saving ideas for permanent stables include looking for ex-demo or end-of-stock models at reduced prices, or shopping locally for free delivery. Building them yourself will earn you a 10% discount across the range at Colt and double that at sister company Chart Stables, provided you can collect the buildings in their flat-packed form.
Many manufacturers offer a budget range that includes installation. Compare specifications closely; most are decidedly no-frills at these prices, but look for quality, treated timber and sturdy construction. Be prepared for regular maintenance, however, due to inevitable wear and tear.
A line or two of bricks at the base is usually required for anchoring the structure, but Jon William Stables can provide a unique steel plinth as a more hard-wearing alternative. Its Intro range, at around £5,000 for a threehorse block, is a no-nonsense solution without top doors or windows but ready to go.
The popular Prime range, from Prime Stables, has functional features including front guttering and multi-layered kickboards, with prices starting from £5,125 for three.
MEDIUM – CIRCA £15,000
WHILE you might be pushing it to house a match-fit eventer in some of the entry-level stables, buildings in the mid-range price bracket should withstand the antics of the most boisterous type. Here, horse comfort is key. A higher roof pitch will create a roomier feel and allows better airflow – a must for respiratory health. Larger windows will contribute to an enriched environment, for equine wellbeing, and superior materials used in conjunction with linings and insulation will help with temperature regulation year-round.
“I’m always a fan of head height, as stables can become very hot if there’s no space in the ceiling,” explains James Scott of Scotts of Thrapston, which built the yard pictured above. They offer a Straightforward range from around £13,000 for three.
“Horses tend to be very hard on their environment. The structure of the building – in our case the integrity of the timber frame
– is what gives longevity, but look for quality materials throughout that create a stable fit for purpose. Metalwork and chew guards on any exposed wood will give extra protection.”
While brick is often considered longer lasting, timber is usually cheaper (by around
20%), quicker to put up and may be viewed as semi-permanent for planning purposes – as well as having natural dehumidifying and insulating properties.
“One customer bricked his stable to half height, with timber above, so he got the best of both worlds,” says Jacob Consterdine of Harlow, which offers a three-box block for £11,088. “There are other ways to save. We can reduce wall lining height and we offer different roofing options, from roofing felt to steel for longevity and felt tiles for aesthetics.”
With the Prime Stables range, which steps up from the Royal, at £7,455 for three, to the Premier at £13,910, the front canopy becomes larger as prices rise – offering extra protection from the elements. Clear roof sheets and gable end vents will help create a lighter feel indoors.
Prices at Jon William Stables reflect an upgrade in materials and design innovations such as enhanced ventilation, rising from £6,500 for three Ideal stables to £10,300 for three Elite.
“We advise customers to build not just to their budget, but to their horses,” explains company MD Matthew Pike, who points out that while a full-up 16.2hh might require a heftier construction, a pony may not need extra headspace or eaves-height interior linings.
“The Elite is a taller, more robust building, with Iroko hardwood doors framed in steel, but both ranges offer everything needed to keep a stabled horse healthy. ”
Remember to factor in any additional groundworks, such as a larger apron to accommodate a more complex structure, and to budget for interior fittings, flooring treatments and lighting.
HIGH – £20,000-PLUS
ATOP-END spend will allow you to go beyond meeting your horses’ basic needs. As well as investing in features aimed at enhancing equine performance, you can create an Instagram-worthy exterior.
“With this budget, you might prioritise aesthetically pleasing stables that will add value to your property,” says James Scott, explaining that a more bespoke build could include an extended overhang with oak supports, cedar roof shingles and local stone or brick cladding.
“With interior extras such as hardwood doors, automatic drinkers and brass or stainless steel fittings, costs accelerate quickly.”
You could build larger boxes, or incorporate grille inserts between them for all-important communication between neighbouring horses.
Hancox Equestrian offers different dividing walls, plus a clever pony split door that can be opened to allow the smallest inhabitant a view. Check out, too, their top-of-the-range Supreme half doors, with elegant curved steelwork and self-locking handles.
Since natural light is at a premium in the UK for many months of the year, one option is to mimic the beneficial effects of year-round sunshine with sophisticated LED lighting.
The HorseLight system delivers an optimised spectrum of light at the right intensity to affect and regulate a horse’s circadian rhythm and the secretion of melatonin.
“We know that light over 200 lux concentrated in the blue light spectrum has the greatest effect on melatonin control,” says Dr Torjus Baalack of HorseLight, who explains that physiological spin-offs include a prolonged summer coat and more efficient conversion of food.
An outlay of around £1,100 (plus installation) will equip a three-stable block with a HorseLight in each box, running on a pre-programmed timer, along with a red night light that won’t affect horses’ sleep patterns.
For the ultimate in flooring, Haygain’s ComfortStall comprises veterinaryapproved orthopaedic foam padding with an impermeable top layer that can withstand shoes with road studs. The surface is secured with anchor strips to create a fully sealed finish, reducing respiratory problems caused by dusty bedding and ammonia build-up.
“It’s a high-end product used by professionals across the disciplines,” explains Bryony Wallace of ComfortStall (individual quotes on request), which can be found cushioning the sleep of three of Charlotte Dujardin’s horses.
All that’s left is to choose a few discreet finishing touches, such as swivel mangers, gated hay racks and recessed tie rings, for the last word in understated style.