Should You Choose Mobile Stables or Field Shelters?
Find out how mobile stables and field shelters work and whether they suit your horses, land and budget.
What Are Mobile Stables and Field Shelters?
Mobile stables and field shelters are timber buildings mounted on skids. You can tow them to a different part of your field or paddock using a 4×4 or tractor, depending on the terrain.
A mobile stable provides an enclosed box where you can house a horse when needed.
A mobile field shelter has an open front, so horses can enter and leave as they wish.
Mobile Stables and Field Shelters at a Glance
Mobile stables and field shelters:
- Do not need permanent foundations
- Can be moved using a suitable vehicle
- May cost less to install than fixed buildings
- Can follow changing grazing and ground conditions
- Provide seasonal shelter in different parts of a field
- Can offer planning advantages, depending on your situation
- Can be used on rented land and temporary yard layouts
- Can include storage and other useful features.
Why Choose a Mobile Stable or Field Shelter?
Mobile stables and field shelters are built for regular use and changing weather, while giving you more flexibility than a fixed building.
Below, we look at their main advantages.
Save on Groundworks
Mobile stables and field shelters don’t need a concrete base or brick course. This can reduce the cost and time needed to prepare the site.
Bear in mind that you still need to position them on firm, reasonably level and well-drained ground.
Move the Building When Your Needs Change
Mobile timber buildings are easy to adapt as your needs change. Move them when you rotate paddocks, need to protect worn ground or want to provide shelter in another part of the field.
They also work well on rented land, as long as the landowner agrees, or where the yard layout may change.
Before moving the building, check the ground and make sure the route is clear. Inspect the skids, towing points, chain and fittings before and after each move, and follow Colt’s instructions.
Our guide to timber and metal skids explains the differences.
Provide Shelter Through the Seasons
Because you can move a field shelter, you can choose a shady position in summer and a more protected spot during wet or windy winter weather. Consider the ground, nearby shelter and direction of the weather each time you reposition it.
If several horses share the shelter, choose a position and entrance layout that allows them all to come and go easily.
Install Your Building Faster
Without foundations to prepare, mobile stables and field shelters are usually quicker to install than fixed buildings.
Colt aims to deliver some buildings within 7-14 days, depending on the design and location. Check the current lead time when ordering.
Create a Separate Space
If your vet recommends box rest or temporary separation, a mobile stable can provide a quiet place for an injured or unwell horse to recover.
You can position it where the horse is easy to monitor and can still see other horses. Follow your vet’s advice on turnout, confinement and social contact.
Do Mobile Stables and Field Shelters Need Planning Permission?
Mobile stables and field shelters often do not need planning permission if they remain movable and are not fixed to the ground. However, this depends on the building, where you put it and how you use it.
Permission may still be needed if:
- You leave the building in one place long term
- You connect it to permanent services or groundworks
- You change how the land is used
- You use it for a livery yard, riding school or another equestrian business
- Your site is in the Green Belt, a National Landscape, a conservation area or another protected location.
Always check with your Local Planning Authority before ordering.
Our guide to planning rules for mobile stables and field shelters explains the main points.
Find the Right Mobile Building for Your Land
At Colt Stables, we build practical mobile stables and field shelters from heavy-duty, pressure-treated timber. Our mobile stables use the same specification as our fixed stables.
Choose the size, layout and features that suit your animals, land and budget. We offer nationwide installation, or you can save money by choosing a DIY kit.
Explore our mobile stables and mobile field shelters, or contact the Colt team for help choosing the right building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mobile stable and a mobile field shelter?
A mobile stable is an enclosed box used to house a horse. A mobile field shelter has an open front, allowing horses to enter and leave freely.
Do mobile stables need a concrete base?
No. They sit on skids rather than permanent foundations, but they still need firm, reasonably level ground.
Can you move a mobile stable with a 4×4?
Yes, depending on the building and ground conditions. Larger units or difficult ground may require a tractor. Check the route and follow the moving instructions before towing.
Are timber or metal skids better?
Timber skids suit most buildings and cost less. Metal skids may be better if you plan to move the building often or tow it over difficult ground.
Can you put a mobile stable on rented land?
Yes, with the landowner’s permission. Mobile stables do not need permanent foundations and can move with you, but check the planning rules before installation.
