Do I need Planning Permission for Mobile Field Shelters?

The short answer should be “NO” but it’s not quite as straightforward as that and you need to ensure that you have dotted all the "i's" and crossed all of the "t's" before assuming that you don’t need planning permission and also ideally before plonking your field shelter in said field.

The heart of the matter perhaps lies within the word “mobile”, for if your shelter is truly that – “mobile” then in most cases it is likely to be exempt from planning permission. However, if any ground works have been carried out in order to situate your shelter, then this is an altogether different matter and is much more likely to be subject to planning permission. If you cannot move your field shelter around the field or from one location to another, then it really isn't considered “mobile” at all!

What might the people in the planning regulations department be looking for when deciding whether your structure is indeed mobile or not? They might look for evidence that it has been moved on a fairly frequent basis (perhaps every 6-8 weeks). You are permitted to place your shelter on skids (steel or wooden). They will also require evidence that no ground works have been conducted in order for the shelter to function. Of course, the easiest way to sort it all out is to contact your local planning office and outline your intended plans to them – this will hopefully prevent any controversy further down the line.

Once you have overcome any potential planning hurdles, you will be free to enjoy all of the benefits that a mobile field shelter can deliver. You can move it around your field (or fields) into the best location depending on the season – you might want to avoid a quagmire in wetter, colder weather. You can also position your shelter so that it is largely sheltered from any inclement weather conditions.

Once again, however, if you are in any doubt whatsoever, we strongly advise anyone looking to build a mobile shelter to contact their local planning department in advance thus avoiding any chances of problems arising after the structure has been erected.

Please contact the team at Cheval Liberte for much more information regarding mobile field shelters.

Cheval Liberte - The Prestige Range of Internal Stables

Internal stables are a way of utilising an existing building to house your new stables, rather than having to build everything from scratch. If the buildings in question are currently empty, then you already have a head start. You may actually need to purchase new stabling or you could simply use the potential of the buildings to bring in some extra cash.

Cheval Liberte has a range of options for those looking for internal stables including our standard range and hugely popular Prestige Range. With both options you will get a high quality product, including strength and longevity. Both ranges also offer the same practicality and functionality and can be installed very easily.

However, the Prestige Range offers those who are looking for a little more pizazz, the ideal solution – adding layers of style to the already sound foundations of the standard range. There are a selection of frontages to choose from including the Auteuil, the Vittel, the Longchamp, the Fontainebleau, the Deauville (see our Finland blog post for more on this one), the Vincennes and the Chambord. All offer style in abundance but each one has different characteristics that you can perhaps match to those of your existing building.

For much more information about the Prestige Range of internal stables, please visit the main Cheval Liberte website.

Internal Stables - Speedy Assembly for Happy Clients in Finland

Cheval Liberte recently undertook the not inconsiderable task of successfully coordinating and completing the installation of some internal stables in the town of Espoo – which is near the capital city of Helsinki in Finland. Our Prestige Range of internal stables is extremely popular and this is what the client in Finland requested, complete with Deauville frontages. There are a number of other frontage styles and finishes within the Prestige range but this particular style features two outer posts with horse’s heads at the top and two inner posts with discs.

In total, we installed 24 of these stables and it took around 36 hours from start of assembly and installation to the project being completed and ready for use. These kind of stables can be particularly useful if you already have an existing, empty building, with measurements and dimensions taken and plans drawn up so that the stables can be built to specification and your once empty building becomes a wonderful and stylish new home for your horses.

If you want to read a more detailed account of the team’s adventure to Finland, you can find it over on website main website at the Cheval Liberte Finland Case Study.

Preparing for Horse Shows and Events with Temporary Stables

The summer months are a popular time to host various horse shows and events around the UK. With dressage, show jumping and a whole host of other equestrian based events taking place, you may be considering taking your horses to compete. If you are new to the equestrian world and wondering where you might be able to house the horses during the event in question, you will be pleased to know that help is at hand in the form of Cheval Liberte’s temporary stables.

Providing proper shelter and accommodation can ensure that the horses are truly the stars of the show. At Cheval Liberte we stock and supply what we call Hyppic Temporary Stables which only take a few minutes to assemble from their flat pack arrival.

They are fairly light in nature, whilst remaining strong and sturdy enough to keep your animals safe and secure, thanks to a galvanised steel framework. They are also pretty versatile and they can be set up either side by side or back to back, which can be particularly useful if you are travelling the country attending multiple shows and the available amount of installation space changes from venue to venue.

For lots more information about temporary stables, please visit the main Cheval Liberte website.

With Summer Approaching a Field Shelter Could Prove Invaluable for Your Horses

Your horses are likely to have been stabled during the harsh winter months and even through the early spring, but with temperatures warming up and the nights drawing out, many of you will be gradually introducing the horses back into pasture. Of course, it’s important to do this carefully and incrementally as the horses will have become very accustomed to their winter time surroundings and conditions.

If the horses are going to be outside for the majority of time, it is well worth considering erecting a field shelter as this will provide some much needed shade for when the sun really reaches its peak. It also provides shelter from other inclement weather.

Cheval Liberte can supply a variety of field shelters, ranging from very basic but effective static field shelters through to slightly more elaborate mobile shelters. The mobile version is of course a little more versatile and perhaps easier to handle and can be towed across large fields until you reach the most suitable area for the shelter to rest in. Depending on your requirements, the static shelter might prove to be a more affordable option and they are available in a number of different sizes and dimensions.

If you haven’t considered this kind of sheltering for your horses before, now might be the time to think seriously about it. Please contact us at Cheval Liberte for much more information.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet - "M" is for "Manoir" Barn

We are now officially half way through our Cheval Liberte alphabet adventure, we have been taking a look at some of the passions, projects and products of the company.

We have reached the letter “M” and this leads us to the “Manoir” barn which can be found within the roster of our American barns. A little like the Laminate barn we looked at in the last chapter, the Manoir barn is modular in design, which effectively means the amount of bays you can have is only limited by the size of the product you choose to order.

Each bay features two stalls while the barn structure itself is fitted with large sliding doors which makes access to the barn straightforward. In addition to all of the standard features, there are also some interesting optional extras that can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

How about a clock tower with fully functioning clock to give your new barn a particularly grand and impressive appearance? You can also opt for smaller windows that feature a “Roman” style arch.

If you want to see (in image form) one of the Cheval Liberte Manoir barns being constructed, you can check out our main website, where you will also find lots more information about other barn styles and lots more related to the equestrian world.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet - "L" is for "Laminate" American Barns

If you are planning an American Barn style set up as part of your new enterprise or extension of an existing one, there are a number of different options available to consider. An American Barn is pretty much what you would expect, a usually large internal space that is ideal for accommodating horses.

Here at Cheval Liberte, we actually stock four different kinds of American style barn and one of them is the Laminate. It’s a modular design, which means if you so wish, you can have a number of different bays to suit your requirements. Each of these bays will feature two stalls. The structure of the barn itself is where the “Laminate” name comes from, with the galvanised steel framework being clad in timber. This of course makes the structure look much more attractive from the outside and easily convinces as a fully made from wood building.

There are again a number of different options available, depending on your preferences. Barn Type 50 features 40mm thick tanalised pine, while Barn Type 70 features 65mm thick tanalised pine.

You can find out lots more about Cheval Liberte American Barns and in particular the Laminate Barn, over at our main website.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet - "J" is for the Jump Range

Nestled into one of the corners of our main website is the Cheval Liberte “Jump” range. This is for those horse owners who are perhaps a little sportier and either enjoy the jumping aspect themselves or own a piece of land that is used to train horses and even other riders.

On the site there are a good selection of poles, galvanised uprights and water jumps in addition to storage racks which are designed to make storing the equipment more straightforward. With a combination of galvanised uprights, poles and water jumps, you can create your very own course or arena. Choose from a variety of sizes to suit whoever might be using the layout – make it easy and gentle for the learners and perhaps make it a little more challenging for those with some experience.

Everything is made from the highest quality and the well being of the horses themselves is always the main priority in everything that Cheval Liberte does and is involved with. Perhaps better known for our range of stables, American barns and field shelters, there really is something for everyone involved in the equestrian world.

Please visit our main website for more information about the jump range as well as any of our other products.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet - "I" is for Internal Stables

Internal stables are a large part of what Cheval Liberte is all about. Perhaps you have buildings that are not being used and always wondered if you could do something with them. Well, potentially (depending on the kind of building) and with a little bit of work you could be sitting on a way to bring some money in by converting your old out buildings or agricultural buildings into internal stables.

There are a variety of options when considering this kind of venture and some of our most popular come from the Prestige Range and the Standard Range. Both options represent good quality, with plenty of skill having gone into the design process. They are all strong and built to last and there are a number of stable frontages to choose from so you can tailor the structure as closely to your own requirements as possible.

The Prestige range features perhaps the pinnacle of our internal stable range. Select your doors and finishes to closely match the rest of your building’s aesthetic. For much more information about our range of stabling solutions, please visit our main website, where we also have a range of accessories and other products that will appeal to any keen equestrian.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet – “H” is for Horses

Another major stopping point in the Cheval Liberte alphabet is the letter “H”. Horses really are what the company is all about. Their love and passion of the equine world is where it all began and as we saw in the last chapter the company name itself is translated as “horse freedom”. Providing the best quality indoor environments for horses is something Cheval Liberte strives for and this can be clearly seen in the range of stables, American Barns and field shelters.

Each horse owner’s needs will be different, from requiring multiple temporary stables for those that show or race horses on a regular basis, to those who might just own a few or even one horse and need to provide vital shelter for the animal. Whichever end of the scale you are on, we are sure you will share the philosophies with Cheval Liberte who believe that your horses should have the best facilities possible for each situation.

You may not need a whole new stable, you may just be looking for some stable doors, windows or other accessories to add to your existing set up. You can find all of these items and many more over at the main website - www.cheval-liberte.co.uk

Cheval Liberte Alphabet - F & G

France - Of course, with a brand name like Cheval Liberte, you would expect France to figure somewhere, so it won’t surprise any of you to learn that the company was founded in France back in 1995. Neither will it surprise you to learn that “Cheval Liberte” (literally translated “horse freedom”) is passionate about horses and their well-being.  Primarily established to produce high quality stables, stalls and stable equipment, the company’s products can now be found and purchased in a whole host of countries, especially around Europe – Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Luxembourg and Poland to name just some of them.

Gallery – Over on our main UK website, there are a vast array if images to go along with the products available but if you just want to get a better feel for how the products will look on site, then you could head straight over to our Cheval Liberte Gallery page, where you will be able to see stable doors, stable partitions as well as internal stables in situ. You can also check out the American barns and Hyppic temporary stables.

Tune in again next time, for another bite sized look at our Cheval Liberte alphabet – we are not even half way through yet!

Campaign to Keep Horse Riders Safe on Rural Roads

Horse riders have been deemed vulnerable road users by the Welsh Government.

They are listed in the vulnerable category alongside motorists, young people, older drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The horse riders are named in Wales’ official road safety document which outlines the administration’s policy until 2020.

The document says horses and their riders, as well as carriage drivers, are vulnerable on the road network.

Cheval Liberte is based in north Wales and we welcome any approach to keep horse riders safe on the road.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents more deaths occur on rural roads than on urban ones. Rural areas have a larger number of horse riders using the roads.

The Welsh Government is keen to work with representatives of the horsing community to find out what their concerns are and adequately address them.

It is estimated that there are around three million horse riders in Great Britain and many of these, including children will ride on the country’s roads.

Horse riders are entitled to use the road and ROSPA argues that it is the responsibility of both riders and motorists to act responsibly.

Even though horses are big and strong they are still easily frightened.  In fast-moving traffic or anywhere where there are sudden loud noises, it's not unusual for a horse to panic, no matter how well trained they are. It is difficult to ascertain accurate statistics for road accidents involving horses. However, the British Horse Society estimates that there are 3,000 such accidents each year, around half of which occur on minor roads.

Speaking about the framework, Wales’ Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “Working together, I believe we can improve upon the progress made and ensure that everyone is safe on Welsh roads.”

Cheval Liberte Alphabet – D and E

Let’s continue our unearthing of everything to do with the Cheval Liberte business in our special alphabetic blog series. For earlier chapters, simply scroll through the blog posts, especially if there is a particular letter you are interested in.

Design – Design is absolutely crucial at Cheval Liberte. From the moment an idea is conceived until the finished product is in situ on site, the design process is at work. A theme you will encounter a lot as we talk about various aspects of the business is comfort for the horses and every element of design is keyed into making this particular challenge successful.

Doors – Over on our main website, you will find a decent selection of stable doors, from the Club and Haras models, which are part of our standard range, right through to our Prestige stable doors. Check out the information on our website and call us for more details if you see something that fits the bill.

Equestrian – According to Wikipedia, the word equestrian is “always a reference to horseback riding”. The founders of Cheval Liberte are both riders and breeders of horses, so the passion for the industry is genuine and the experience is real, so the company certainly fits in well with the equestrian world.

Cheval Liberte Alphabet – B and C

In the first part of this blog series, we looked at Cheval Liberte via the letter A and our challenge was to bring you something relevant to the business for each letter of the alphabet. So, what have we managed to unearth for the letters “B” and “C”?

B

Blanket Racks – A Blanket rack does it exactly what it says on the tin! It’s essentially a rack or a bar that can fixed to your stable walls so that you can conveniently store your horse blankets. If the blankets have become wet, these racks also come in handy when trying to dry them.

C

Comfort – Comfort is a really important word at Cheval Liberte simply because all of our products are designed with the comfort of horses as the main priority. This is closely followed by issues like security etc. However, first and foremost we are passionate about horses, and their comfort and well being will be considered through each and every design decision. If horses are content, it actually makes the job of looking after them so much easier.

If you want to learn more about us, please visit our main website at www.cheval-liberte.co.uk and tune in next month for the next slice of our alphabet.

Top Tips to Keep Stables Secure

When looking to purchase stabling there are a number of issues to consider including security.

Equestrian yards and stable blocks can be targeted by thieves who are looking to make off with valuable riding equipment.

Police advice horse enthusiasts to ensure their equipment is marked and recorded with their postcode. This will ensure that when recovered it can be taken back to its rightful owner.

Recently, bridles, bits and other items of tack were taken from stables in Northumberland.

Horse riding equipment including saddles and bridles are expensive to be replaced and opportunist thieves are taking advantage, say police officers.

Here at Cheval Liberte (UK) Ltd take security of stables very seriously and are happy to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime think about the following crime prevention methods to safeguard your stable from being broken into.

1.       Have adequate locks on gates surrounding your yard.

2.       Mark all tack with your postcode.

3.       Think about installing CCTV cameras.

4.       Photograph your horses and equipment so if they are stolen you have something to show police.

5.       Have security lighting around your stables.

6.       If possible, wheel clamp horseboxes.

7.       Horses could be targeted too – remember to micro chip your animals. However, never padlock a stable when your horse is inside.

There are a number of things to consider when choosing stables or American Barns including internal stables, doors and windows. Whatever you decide rest assured we can discuss all your security needs.

The Cheval Liberte Alphabet: All Things Stables and Horses - A

Welcome to the Cheval Liberte alphabet. Over the course of several blog posts, we will be bringing you details about the company, our products and the industry in general in a series of short “alphabetic” sections. We may not manage the full 26 letters (unless we cheat on a few) but we will try and bring you something interesting for each one.

So, let’s start at the beginning:

American Barns – These American style barns are certainly grand in appearance and certainly look the part if you have the space to accommodate them. Having said that, here at Cheval Liberte we are able to build them per your size requirements, so you can still have that great “big country” look even if you only have a small amount of land.

Access – It’s blatantly obvious (but it fits in with our alphabet) that all of the barns on our website are designed to provide great access for both horses that need the shelter and security and those that will be working with the horses and entrusted with caring for them.

If you are interested in our range of American Barns, please feel free to visit us and see our full selection over on our main website.

Who Are Cheval Liberte?

With an extraordinary passion for horses, Cheval Liberte began life in France 18 years ago with its primary goal to produce and supply stables, stable equipment and stalls that catered specifically to the needs of both the horses and their owners.

As riders and breeders, the owners are in the perfect position to understand the needs of both the animals and those that are tasked with taking care of them, as well as having an in depth knowledge of the wider equine world and industry.

In 2005, Cheval Liberte (UK) Ltd was established. They are now the sole importers of products from the Cheval Liberte brand and distribute those products in and around Great Britain and Ireland.

The comfort and security of horses is behind every design decision and development. A product that serves both the best interests of the animals and their owners is of the utmost importance as the company strive to produce a range of products that are skilfully designed and engineered.

Whether it’s temporary stables, American barns, internal stables or a range of accessories such as shutters, windows and doors, those hallmarks of quality will be present throughout.

You can learn lots more about the company and their products by visiting the main website at www.cheval-liberte.co.uk

American Barns Prove Popular in the UK

American barns are obviously synonymous with the United States – the clue is in the description, American. These massive barns can be seen dotted all around Midwestern towns. They are often painted a lovely red and have large wooden doors. The minute a visitor sees the magnificent structure one knows they are in horse riding territory and the horse rules.

Cheval Liberte knows how important horses are to their owners which is why the company, based in north Wales stocks American Barns. These are luxurious barns which will keep any horse in tip-top condition.

The famous structures are often used in television shows. If Dallas or Dynasty ever wanted to show horses in a stable it was always inside a grand American barn and not a timber lean-to.

Most recently Emmy winning series Homeland had a scene inside an impressive American barn. The scene was used to set up a conversation between lead actor Damian Lewis who plays Brody and a wealthy horse breeder wanting to finance a political party in the upcoming US election.

American barns lend themselves to large equestrian yards but Cheval Liberte’s products can be used for smaller projects too. There are a number of American barns to choose from including the Laminate and Manoir.

Available throughout the UK and Ireland, American Barns are growing in popularity. 'The Manoir' barn is a modular design which enables customers to have an unlimited number of bays, each comprising two stalls for their horses. The barns are supplied with large, double sliding doors at both ends and have the added advantages of sheltered areas along both sides.

The Laminate Barn could allow you to have an unlimited number of stalls. It has double sliding doors at both ends and the galvanized steel framework is clad with timber.

The barns have grown in popularity in recent years and help UK equestrian yards stand out from the crowd.

How to Turn Empty Stables into Money

If you have a barn lay idle why not make the most of it? It may just be an empty shed to you but with a bit of tender loving care it could be turned into internal stables. The new look stables could soon provide you with an added revenue stream.

Internal stables such as those from Cheval Liberte are a popular choice for livery yards, veterinary practices and keen equestrians alike.

The internal stables can also be used to partition a large barn into sections. This could prove ideal for a horse and foal.

The stables are light and airy and allow horses to see each other, something which many horse owners are in favour of. Equestrians also highlighted that the internal stables are warmer and less draughty than some of the traditional alternatives.

Cheval Liberte has a choice of stables available including the Prestige and Standard Range. Both provide exceptional strength and durability and are highly practical in assembly, installation and operation. Cheval Liberte’s Standard Range is strong, durable and practical. The internal barns in this range can be purchased with a frontage panelled in oak, recycled plastic or hardwood.

There is an internal stable available for most budgets. Not only do they have the potential to bring in more money, they will also take care of your animals.

As summer approaches horses still need time in the shade, especially if they are getting on in years. On very hot days it is important to bring the animals in and hose them down to keep them cool. By keeping them inside you can monitor their behaviour to ensure the heat isn’t affecting them. If your horse is suffering from heat exhaustion it is important to keep offering water.

Stable Doors, Windows and Other Stable Accessories

You may be in the process of building new stables or perhaps upgrading or refurbishing some existing stable buildings and if so, are probably on the lookout for suitable doors and windows to either fit into a purpose built space or a pre existing one.

Cheval Liberte stock and supply a range of different options when it comes to stable doors and windows as well as a variety of other accessories that can add the finishing touches to your equine environment.

The main ranges of doors stocked at Cheval Liberte are the Club and Haras range. Each of the doors in these particular ranges has been specifically designed to be strong and durable and considering the quality involved, are very competitively priced. The most important thing is that the horses inside are in a safe and secure environment. If you are looking for a rectangle shaped door then your best option is the Club range. The Haras range in contrast has rounded edges and is generally both wider and higher. So, it’s very much a case of what will suit your particular building.

If you are looking to add some style to the stable as well as simple functionality, then you may prefer to look in the direction of the Prestige range of doors. There are a number of different designs available and these can be made per your design requirements. You can also choose from a selection of door panels.

If you need other accessories such as feeding buckets, clock towers and hay racks, we also supply a range of these products.

For much more information about the complete range of stable doors and windows, please feel free to check our main website over at www.cheval-liberte.co.uk, where we also stock a range of internal stables, American Barns and Hyppic Temporary stables.