stable doors for shetlands

Befnee's Hero

Befnee's Hero

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Jul 1, 2009
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As the title suggests.. what do you all do for stable doors for your shetlands? This winter was the first winter I have brought my shetland Buttons in (not because he needs to be in, but because all the others were and I felt tight leaving him out!) He has his own 14X14 stable (again yes a little excessive for a shetland but he stables with the big boys) This winter I didn't really have enough warning as we left them out till November to sort out a mini door for him so he has just been in his stable with a regular 5ft door with lots of toys inside to keep him occupied. We try to open his door while we are there and he is in and put a shavings bale in front to atleast deter him from doing a runner but obviously not practical for when we go home.

I was just wondering if any of you have retro-fitted your doors for your little ones so that they can see over ? I always feel mean leaving him there without any friends to see. He is out 24/7 now appart from the awful last couple of days we have had, so not really a problem now but I am pre-planning to get something done this summer for him next winter?

Any ideas or what you do for yours?

P.s getting him a little friend is not an option :rolleyes: as much as we would love another they really would just a field ornament hehe I am slightly too big for riding shetlands now :cool:
 
depends on width of doors, but ive just discovered how brill decking tiles from bnq are as gates haha. So if door small enough hen one of them, or could you not get two stable chains and just hook door open?
 
You all have very well behaved Shetland most of the ones I've delt with tired to escape even over 5ft doors!!!! Lol!!!! Or tried to eat any passer by over smaller ones! I think I've just had the (mis)fortune of dealing with some nutty shetlands!!!! ;) No small doors are available but if you know a good carpenter their a good bet but some decent tounge and grove and decent frame it's a peice of cake! Honest!!!!! He dosen't climb doors dose he?! Lol!!! ;)
 
No hehe he doesn't climb doors. He is actually a very well behaved shetland. I think we may try and build him one this summer.

Do you think he might learn to get over a smaller door?
 
YES he may well learn to get over a smaller one especially if he doesnt like being in. They tend to get quite hot inside.

I would try a webbing door for summer, watch him for getting his feet stuck though before leaving him alone with it. If necessary sew an old rug on the stable side of it to cover gaps.

Chains/single string stallguards are useless as everyone knows a shettie can get under the botton rung of an electric fence.

Best option: make a smaller wooden one or leave it open so he can wander the yard if he gets hot. Look out for all the playthings he would find though.:D

After thought, how about a large step for him to stand on, they love heights. I am surprised he wasnt up on the shavings bale.
 
I have a wooden sleeper inside the stable for him to stand on so he can see over the door, this has worked for 4 years I've had him, he's never tried to climb out and comes in every night all year.

When he goes in or goes out of the stable he steps over the sleeper.
 
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My stables have two sets of doors. The people who made the stables made it for very tall horses lol as the doors are really tall anyway so hubby put a second lot of doors on for me, they open inwards and I can still close the bigger doors if needed.
 
Hmmm, If I did that, the blighters would be pinging about like fleas on a hotplate! :D :D Mind you I am speaking wild, unhandled ponies here!
 
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