Do you have an outbuilding looking for a new lease of life? Why not delve into the world of internal stabling? Here’s Cheval Liberté’s one-stop guide

Internal stabling is the ultimate way to convert unused farm buildings into stunning equestrian facilities. Whether it’s for your own horses or you’re looking to earn some extra income through offering livery spaces, a clever use of stable fronts, partitions, door and windows is the optimum way to maximise the space you have and create an indoor horsey haven.

Internal happiness

Opting for internal stabling has a number of benefits, including…

• using wasted agricultural building space Diversification is important in farming, so taking advantage of existing agricultural buildings is a financially sustainable way of earning extra income
• cost effectiveness With their ability to fit into your existing buildings, you can use pre-assembled stable fronts and partitions to take full advantage of a space without having expensive building costs
• creativity You can create your very own equivalent of an American Barn with the option to add feed and tack rooms, wash bays and cross-ties
• fuss-free installation Pre-assembled for fast installation, internal stables are a quick and easy way of providing tailored accommodation for your horses. They’re so simple to install that you can even opt to assemble them yourself!

Grand designs

With several different styles and finishes on offer, you can perfectly match your desired aesthetic with the functionality and comfort you want for your horse. When choosing your internal stables, consider…

• your horse’s height Larger horses will suit a taller, wider open section within an upper grill, whereas smaller horses may benefit from bespoke sizing
• your horse’s temperament If he’s sociable, upper grill partitions and half wood door fronts are the go-to, but a quieter horse may benefit from full board and full grill options.
• door style Your two options are a sliding or hinged door. From there, you can choose from a half wood, v-grill or upper full grill door. Consider practicalities – if you’ve got a tight space then sliding is beneficial, but hinged doors are popular due to cost and functionality, as sliding doors can struggle with dirt, feed and bedding blocking its runner, although tactful maintenance eliminates this.

TOP TIP

If your horse is new to being regularly stabled, you want to make his environment as inviting as possible. V-grill or half-board doors will make his stable feel more spacious and allow him to look out – you can always add a full grill later if needed.

Picking your material

Stable partitions are available in three different material options – recycled plastic, pressure-treated pine and oak. Each comes with a catalogue of benefits…

Recycled plastic

• Resistant to acids and salts
• Exceptionally low maintenance
• Fully washable
• Environmentally friendly – made from high grade recycled plastic and fully recyclable. Free of toxic chemicals and don’t have to be treated with environmentally harmful protectants
• Available in a range of colours – black, brown, green and grey

Pressure treated pine

• Slow grown increases durability and strength of this timber
• Beautiful natural aesthetic
• Most financially viable option
• Treatment ensures longevity
• Sourced sustainably from Eastern European forests
• 40mm thick panels

Oak

• Exquisite rich colour and appearance
• Superior strength
• Long lasting
• Luxurious
• Resistant to rot, decay and pests
• Sourced sustainably from Eastern European forests
• 40mm thick panels

Room for one more

Adding additional features into your stables can make your day-to-day operations effortless, making life easy for you and your horse. Why not add a…

• tack room Using full board partitions and a timber stable door, you can easily create a secure and functional tack room.
• wash Bay Partitions made from recycled plastic are ideal for a wash bay between stables.
• windows and shutters Ventilation is important for equine and human respiratory health, and in enclosed buildings windows or shutters are key to achieving it
• feed rooms Just as with tack rooms, feed rooms can be created using partitions. They’re secure and dry, and stop pests getting to your horse’s feed. 

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