The Nursery Wing THERE’S A LOT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN BUILDING FACILITIES FOR BREEDING. EMMA PENNY ASKS THE SPECIALISTS WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED.
ABOVE: CONSIDER THE LAYOUT OF NEW OR UPDATED FACILITIES FOR BREEDING STOCK CAREFULLY, TO INCLUDE ACCESS IN AND OUT OF THE STABLES.
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esigning – or redesigning – premises to provide an ideal environment for in-foal mares, foals and youngstock is an art. afety for horses and staff is the main consideration. Andrews Bowen, perhaps best known for its arena surfaces, also offers a design and build service. For company director David Andrews and UK sales director Colin Way, designing a practical, horse-friendly environment is key. For anyone planning to build on or redevelop a site, David says there are multiple things to consider. “Sometimes it can be cheaper to knock down existing buildings and start from scratch. Then you can build what you need to on that footprint, and so everything works well.” That includes thinking about where any hub of activity might be, and locating stables away from it,
22 // Issue 3 2022 // BRITISH DRESSAGE
BD official partner Andrews Bowen is surface provider for the Winter Championships at Hartpury and the National Championships at Somerford Park.
so horses can relax in their stables. Consider where the prevailing weather comes from and orienting buildings for optimum ventilation and providing shelter in paddocks, suggests Colin. When it comes to day-to-day operation, safety is critical, says David. “It is even down to thinking about where your machinery is stored. What happens if a mare and foal gets loose?” Rounded corners and chamfered edges mean there is less risk of a horse catching its hip on a right angle, while using thicker gauge steel for internal stabling will give additional strength and longevity. At Mount St John Stud in Yorkshire, Emma Blundell’s
