Why does your horse need a mobile field shelter?

Do you need a mobile field shelter?

Mobile field shelters are often the cheapest stable solution available. They are not the same as a stable but for some horses and paddocks and yard they can be the ideal solution. Made from pressure treated timber a good mobile field shelter well cared for will last just as long as stable but can be kinder on the pocket. So when should you consider a mobile field shelter?

You don’t own the paddock or grazing your horse is using going mobile is pragmatic

If you keep horses on paddocks that are not your property or have concerns over fixed structures that require planning consent, mobile field shelters are seen as a perfect alternative to fixed stable buildings. 

Flexible stabling may be required as horses in your care increase and decrease

Not only do they offer a quick and easy way to shelter your horses from the elements whilst out in the paddocks, they are also a welcome addition to your stabling needs. No matter the time of year, mobile field shelters offer a number of benefits over fixed stabling that many horse owners are extremely grateful to have. 

Weather in your paddocks leaves little shade or shelter

Mobile field shelters are built on skids which means they can be easily moved from place to place with little hassle. During the hotter summer months, you may want to place your shelters in a shaded area to get your horses away from the heat, which attracts flies and numerous other pests. In the colder months, wet weather will undoubtedly make for muddier conditions so moving the shelter frequently to more grassy areas will help to keep your horses clean and provide fresh pastures for grazing. And if the wind picks up or heavy rains are forecast, you can easily turn the shelter away from the elements at a suitable angle and use it as a wind break to keep the horses away from the worse of the weather. 

Horse welfare and relaxation is key

Like most animals, horses have favourite spots to relax and rest. Only until you observe your horse’s habits and see where it likes to lay, will you know where to ideally place your shelter. With a mobile field shelter, moving the stable to a better spot that your horse will enjoy is simple, meaning you have a happier and more relaxed horse as a result. 

Cut red tape and planning delays

No planning consent required In most cases, a mobile field shelter will not require any form of planning consent from your local authority, unlike a fixed stable building. As the structure is not permanently sited and will not sit on any form of fixed groundworks such as concrete foundations, then it is not regarded as a fixed building. As long as the shelter is fitted with metal or timber skids and is moved once every six weeks, you should not face any objections to placing a field shelter in your paddocks. There are a few legal technicalities that vary between different local authorities, so check with them first before proceeding. But in most cases, if you provide sufficient evidence that the structure is mobile and will be moved at regular intervals, you shouldn’t face too much opposition to owning one. 

Keeping the price of your stables low

It is not just red tape that you can cut out with a mobile field shelter. Because you don’t need the concrete footings and lower wall of a stable block you can avoid groundworks. The very similar cousin on the mobile field shelter is the mobile stable - it is well worth considering these options if you are in any of the scenarios listed above. 

The team at Olson have decades of experience and can advice you as to the best options for field shelters and stables. With national delivery and installation we can build exactly to your requirements and create the mobile field shelter you need for your location and your horses.