Stabling advise?

[Chromelotus]

I'm hoping for a little advise, I have phone around endless stable building companies with no joy, they just tell me the general sizes of their stables.

I have an open fronted airy double garage which is the perfect size to put two 10 x 12ft stables in. The only problem is the height, it is a couple of inches under 8ft. However, it would be for ponies of 13hh.

I have spoken to the BHS who tell me their guide is either 9ft minimum or "two foot higher than the normal head position of the horse." Well this is vague, what is 'normal' head position for a horse? I guess they are talking about a relaxed horse standing calmly. Is 8ft just too small for a 13hh pony?

[nat17]

In my opinion that height is ok for 13hh ponies, i had a converted garage for a stable and it was also a little on the low side but coped well with a 14.2 in there. I think people must be 'covering' themselves with their advise.
Another tip on feeding hay in a low ceiling stable, dont tie haynets, feed it from the floor. As they drag the hay out the holes they can put their heads very high in the motion! :)

[Chromelotus]

Thanks so much Nat! That's a great tip!

I considered trailer sizes too, an Ifor Williams suitable for two 16.2hh horses has headroom of 85" (one inch over 7ft.) I'm pretty sure I should be just fine with 8ft of headroom for 13hh ponies! Thanks again for your advise! :)

[Naturally]

Hi, I know nothing about stabling horses the way you guys do (warmer climates :p ) but wouldn't you want enough head room in the event that the pony might rear up? Just a thought.

[nat17]

Your welcome. Found out the standards for you as well,

The recommendations are between 8-12ft of height and that door ways should be no less than 8ft. I beileve these guildlines are for 'all purpose' stables. So you would be covered for big horses as well. Although you are one foot short of that, your purpose is specically for 13hh ponies and I dont think it would be an issue day to day, only if you are wanting regulations changed for the property or it to be deemed safe by building regs or something. I wouldnt think it suitable for anything larger than 13hh though.

[Chromelotus]

Thanks Nat! My ceilings are 3" short of 8ft, not a foot short so it seems we will be within the limit! :) Thanks so much once again!

[Jessey]

My 15.1 was stuck in a stable for about 8 weeks (in between yards at a friends place) that only had a celing height of about 7ft, he didn't mind a bit and as far as I know never hit his head, so yeah I think 8ft for 13hh would be ample.

J x

[LMS]

Same here regarding temporary stabling: my QH was 15.1hh and kept him for a short while in an old barn that had 6 or 7 ft ceilings. He adapted well also. Though I only brought him in when the weather was foul.

The other reason for a high ceiling is for appropriate ventilation & air circulation.

Your 13 hh horse will be fine in a box 8' X 8' with an 8' ceiling. Being able to move easily & having a constant supply of fresh air is the most important.

Send pics as soon as your horse is settled in ok?

LMS

[chubbypony]

We had a handy man design custom stalls for us. He did an excellent job, did it exactly how we wanted it and did it much cheaper than pre-made ones. :p

Also I used to board at a stable that had 6.6-7ft ceilings. We never had a problem. My horse was short though. ;)

[sidesaddlelady1]

I'm hoping for a little advise, I have phone around endless stable building companies with no joy, they just tell me the general sizes of their stables.

I have an open fronted airy double garage which is the perfect size to put two 10 x 12ft stables in. The only problem is the height, it is a couple of inches under 8ft. However, it would be for ponies of 13hh.

I have spoken to the BHS who tell me their guide is either 9ft minimum or "two foot higher than the normal head position of the horse." Well this is vague, what is 'normal' head position for a horse? I guess they are talking about a relaxed horse standing calmly. Is 8ft just too small for a 13hh pony?

I suggest you might think of it in terms of how high the pony's head would get if it reared up fully. You wouldn't want hm to bang his head or get caught up in anything.

[Chromelotus]

Thank you all so very much for your replies. I'm pretty confident now that my proposed idea for two 10x12ft stalls will be just fine. The ventilation will adequate too. :D