If you want to build a horse stable, it is important to provide your horses with a species-appropriate environment, which means that, depending on the type you choose, the stable must be the optimal size and allow for plenty of exercise.
The desired type and size of the horse stable, the number of horses and the choice of interior fittings ultimately determine the price of the building project. However, there are some aspects that need to be taken into account, which you will learn about in this article.
You can either build a horse stable yourself from scratch or have it built by a professional company. Whether you buy a ready-made kit or procure the materials yourself is up to you.
In order to build a horse stable, a suitable location should first be found and a building permit obtained. Before building can begin, a detailed floor plan should be drawn up so that the horse stable can later be made exactly according to your own wishes.
After everything has been measured, the entire surface should be levelled and prepared for concreting. When the concrete has been tipped onto the surface, the finished kit can be built on top.
If you have decided against a ready-made kit, you will have to build the basic framework for the stable and the paddocks yourself. The roof and the walls can then be put on top. Make sure you have cut-outs for the windows and doors that you can insert at the end.
A horse stable must be at least large enough so that each horse has its own box with a paddock for exercise and there is an extra area for storage. For the size of each individual box and the size of each individual paddock, the formula (2 x withers height)² of the horse applies.
If you choose a loose stable or an open or active stable, you have to make sure that they have a size of at least 150 m² for two horses. For each additional horse, 40 m² must be added. For horse stables in general, it is better to build them too large than too small.
Types of horse stables include conventional horse stalls with or without paddocks, a loose stable, an open stable and an active stable.
Horse stalls are divided into indoor stalls (without windows), outdoor stalls (with windows) and paddock stalls (with adjoining paddock). Horse stalls should never be too small and should have sufficient air circulation and light. In addition, horses should not be kept exclusively in boxes and should get enough exercise.
Playpens are an optimal way to keep several horses together in one large area. They must have enough space for all horses. Some playpens are exclusively indoors like a large box for several horses, others have different areas for lying, sleeping or eating - some of them offer an area for regular outdoor exercise.
In open stables, several horses are kept in a large stable with constant access to a pasture, so that horses can always decide whether they want to be inside or outside. This way, you can provide enough exercise for each horse.
An active stable is also an open stable, but it is supplemented with different areas. These areas can be feeding or drinking points, lying areas, rolling areas, exercise meadows or logs for daily activity. If possible, these areas should be designed so that horses are in constant motion and have to move as much as possible to get from one area to another.
Building a horse stable usually costs between € 45,000 and € 400,000 in total. The price difference is so high because the price depends on the individual wishes and ideas of the customer. Especially the size of the stable, the equipment and the number of boxes play an important role.
The price of building a horse stable also varies if you choose a ready-made kit, have the stable built by a professional construction company or build it yourself. The price also varies for horse stalls and running, open and active stables, as well as the total number of horses.
In addition to the price for the actual construction of the horse stable, there are the costs for the building permit, for the planning, for the payment of an architect and for the ancillary construction costs (construction site facilities, construction water and electricity, etc.).
When building a horse stable, there are a number of aspects that need to be taken into account to ensure that the stable can be used optimally. These include choosing the right size, obtaining a building permit, taking into account sufficient space, coordinating the perfect light, air and temperature conditions, planning storage areas and laying a water connection.
If you want to build a horse stable, it is important to comply with prescribed dimensions for the size of the stable. For example, the size of the individual boxes and the adjoining paddocks must be calculated according to the formula (2 x withers height)² of the horse, a stable aisle must be at least 2.50 m wide and the roof must be at least 1.5 times the height of the horses at the withers.
A building permit is absolutely necessary for the construction of a horse stable. You must obtain this from a building permit authority. You can find out from advisors at the Chamber of Agriculture to what extent you need to obtain building permits and other approvals for your project.
Beyond the building permit, you must first find out whether keeping horses is allowed in the place you want. Before that, you are not allowed to build a stable. In addition, neighbours should be informed about your intentions.
Horses need a lot of space and exercise, which you should take into account when building your new horse stable. Depending on the type of stable, you will need to calculate more or less space. It is better to calculate it too large than too small so that the horses have enough space later.
In a horse stable, a constant exchange of air, good brightness and optimal temperature must be ensured in order to support the horse's health and prevent diseases. This can be done with open windows and doors, but draughts should be avoided.
In addition to the individual horse stalls, storage areas for feed, hay, straw, manure and riding equipment should be planned. To ensure that these storage areas are quickly accessible at all times, they should be directly adjacent to the stalls and integrated into the horse stable planning.
A water connection is very important for the construction of a horse stable, as horses need 30 - 60 litres of water daily as a basic supply and, in addition, a wash basin and a hose may be needed for hosing down the horse after riding. Therefore, make sure that a water connection is laid before starting to build the horse stable.
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