Wednesday 16th May, 2018
Enjoying the recent heatwave in Britain? While you dust off the BBQ, spare a thought for our equine friends who may not be having quite so much fun in the sun. Any horse owner will tell you that the warmer weather brings many unwanted predicaments, from pesky flies to problem skin. As much as we love the sun, intense heat in an open field can quickly cause serious complications for our horse’s health. Field shelters provide the perfect relief for the field kept horse. Unless your paddocks provide natural shade thanks to mature trees and hedgerows, now is the time to make sure that your shelter provisions are up to scratch this summer.
The size of the shelter will depend on how many horses occupy the field itself. A general rule of thumb is to allow a width of 3-3.6m for one horse. Then add an extra 1.5m for every horse added to the field. If you have a specific size or shaped shelter in mind to suit the space available and your budget you can go bespoke. Good quality bespoke stables can be designed to suit both your needs and your budget. You can, of course, build your own stables however you need to make sure that the materials you buy are safe for your horse and fit for purpose.
Adequate cover from the elements and easy access are key points to consider when designing field shelters. Depending on the size of your shelter you may consider adjustable windows that afford you additional ventilation in the summer and protection in the winter to keep driving rain and wind out. In particularly large shelters, it can be wise to incorporate a second entrance/exit so that horses do not end up backed into a corner and trapped by alpha males in the herd.
If you don’t already have a shelter, then you need to decide if you want a mobile field shelter or a fixed one. The benefits of having a mobile field shelter are that you can move it around to rest the land where it is sited and you do not need planning permission. Field shelters should be placed on flatter areas of grazing, with good drainage. If possible try and keep them away from brooks, rivers or standing water that home midges and flies galore.
Want to know more about field shelters? Contact our friendly team today on 01789 766533 for further information and a free no obligation quote.
