Case Studies

The Professional Yard

Breeding and training horses is an uncompromising business, and nobody takes their work more seriously than Liz Harrington and Paul Keane of Larkinglass Farm in Dorset. Under their direction, Larkinglass Farm has earned an outstanding reputation as a highly successful training stable and also as a world renowned stud farm breeding National Hunt horses and pure bred Arabian racehorses.

With more than 200 horses in their care at any one time, horse welfare is always the top priority and first-class stabling is an absolute must. So, when Liz Harrington decided to move the entire operation and relocate to Dorset last year, Scotts was an obvious choice to help with the design and construction of their new yard.

The Timber Advantage Larkinglass Farm features several types of stabling - brick built, open barns and timber boxes - each catering for different equestrian needs.Timber boxes were always going to be a mainstay of the yard because of their obvious advantages. Wood is a naturally good insulator and provides warmth in the winter - pleasant for the grooms but nothing less than essential for the horses - and Scotts’ efficiently ventilated design provides a cool environment in the summer. Speed of construction is another plus for timber loose boxes, whatever the weather, and when 200 horses are scheduled to move on a certain date deadlines become very important. Scotts’ boxes are also very cost-efficient with many of their yards still in daily operation after more than 30 years of hard use, testament to their tough and durable construction.

Yard Layout In a large, professional set-up, the design needs to succeed as a working yard. At Larkinglass, with its extensive facilities, 20 loose boxes are laid out in two blocks either side of the horse exerciser. A straight run of 8 boxes stands adjacent to a unique "elbow" shaped block of 12, specifically designed to fit in with the site’s amenities and maximise the available space. The orientation of the blocks provides shelter from the prevailing wind whilst affording everyone a good view. Other design elements are incorporated within the stables with similar purpose; positioning the tack room in the centre of a run of 12 boxes, for example, means easy access for any of the grooms. And, designing the yard so that it can be easily extended in the future will prove a valuable feature.

Construction Once detailed designs and working drawings were approved, the Larkinglass stable yard was manufactured in Scotts’ purpose-built factory prior to on-site erection by a team of dedicated craftsmen. Built to exactingly high standards, the sturdy and rugged construction of Scotts’ loose boxes makes them ideal for the professional environment. Pressure treated timbers, robust framing sections, galvanised fittings and more than 80 years of experience combine to produce a stable that can safeguard a valuable foal or withstand even the most aggressive stallion. Attention to detail is impressive; for example, the onduline roof is fitted with a vented ridge cap and laid over a second skin for structural stability, increased soundproofing and to prevent condensation.

Experience The entire team at Scotts, from designers through to the construction team, share years of equestrian experience and they understand what makes a professional yard tick. Hands-on, personal advice and good old-fashion customer service come as standard from Scotts so it came as no surprise that the whole scheme was completed well within schedule, ready for the horses to move in. We let our customers look after the horses - Scotts take care of the stables.