History of Horse Stables

Beautiful barns are delightful. I believe I’m
not alone when I say I easily spend some minutes now and then DREAMING of the perfect stable; as for me is a wooden stable combined with BRICK and wrought iron DETAILS. But how did the first stables look like? Let’s have a quick look at the  complete history of horse stables throughout the ages.

Stables in Ancient Egypt

The stable is typically historically the second-oldest building type on the farm. The world’s oldest horse stables were discovered in the ancient city of Pi-Ramesses in Qantir, in Ancient Egypt, and were established by Ramesses II (c.1304-1237 BC). These stables covered approximately 182,986 square feet, had floors sloped for drainage, and could contain about 480 horses.

Free-standing stables

Free-standing stables were built from the 16th century. They were well built and placed near the house due to the status horses had as draught animals. High-status examples could have plastered ceilings to prevent dust falling through into the horses’ eyes. Relatively few examples survive of complete interiors (i.e. with stalls, mangers and feed racks) from the mid-19th century or earlier.

British stables

Traditionally, stables in Great Britain had a hayloft on their first (i.e. upper) floor and a pitching door
at the front. Doors and windows were symmetrically arranged. Their interiors were divided into stalls and usually included a large stall for a foaling mare or sick horse. The floors were cobbled (or, later, bricked) and featured drainage channels. Outside steps to the first floor were common for farm hands to live in the building.

Reference: Wikipedia photos: Pinterest

Therese Stub Alhaug

Editor

Therese is the editor of Equilife, and is truly dedicated to equestrian sports and horses. She started riding as a little girl, and enjoys her free time with her two horses back home. Portrait interview is her favorite topic, as it has the gift to inspire others through peoples stories, knowledge, training and general life-philosophy, and certainly, their lives with horses.

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