This blog has been created in collaboration with Miri Hackett of Hackett Equine, a UKCC Level 3 trainer recognised for her holistic, horse-led approach to training and equestrian management. As a passionate advocate for equine welfare and an official ambassador for Jelka Group, Miri brings a valuable horse-first perspective to the planning and development of equestrian facilities.
Having recently completed a yard project of her own, alongside extensive experience managing horses across a range of disciplines and requirements, from competition and rehabilitation to young horse development, Miri understands the practical considerations involved in creating facilities that work for both horse and owner. Her experience provides valuable insight for anyone looking to build, develop or upgrade their equestrian facilities with horse welfare, functionality and long-term usability at the forefront.
Introduction
When I was designing the yard we now have at Hackett Equine, I made sure I didn't just ask myself the usual questions: How many stables? What storage solutions do I need? What size arena do I want?
Instead, after years of training horses in yards where I had no control over the layout, I asked myself different questions. How will the horse experience this space? How will they feel when they're in the barn? How will they settle and be able to interact with each other?
A horse-first yard isn't about having beautiful stables. It's about creating an environment that supports natural behaviour, reduces stress, and allows horses to stay healthy or become healthier both physically and mentally.
Designing for Humans Instead of Horses
It's natural to think about making life easier for us humans, whether that's maximising stable numbers or placing things in the most convenient spots for yard jobs. Instead, I chose fewer stables, but made them much larger so the horses have adequate room to move when they're inside. I chose stable partitions that allow interaction rather than seclusion, high-quality matting to encourage rest, and large drinkers that promote proper drinking while also being easy to clean.
Horses don't experience a yard in the same way we do. Stables aren't a privilege to a horse, they're a necessity. They allow us to care for horses as individuals, help them build social skills and bond with others, give them a place to rest, and provide somewhere safe for box rest when healing is needed.
When designing the yard, I constantly considered how the horses would rest, move and interact within each space. We positioned the wash bay at the front of the barn so it's open, airy, with excellent drainage and matting. This has meant we can help horses feel genuinely safe while they're being bathed or learning to stand quietly and confidently in an open space.
Choosing Unsuitable Flooring
Flooring is one of the biggest long-term investments in any yard, yet it's something that's easily overlooked. Slippery surfaces increase the risk of injury. I'll always remember a time, many years ago, when I worked on a yard where a horse slipped on concrete, suffered a devastating injury and sadly lost its life. It completely changed the way I think about flooring.
When I designed my own yard, flooring was right at the top of my priority list. We chose Jelka Belmondo Basic Matting (which makes it sound basic, but I can assure you it isn't!). It's been incredible. It's durable, non-slip, has excellent drainage, and fits together perfectly with neat jigsaw edges.
I used to hate the little gaps in the flooring at our old yard because bedding would get trapped, making mucking out a horrible job. This matting makes mucking out quick and easy while also providing comfort and security for the horses.
Underestimating Water Access
Another top priority... drinkers. People often laugh when I talk about our drinkers because I genuinely love them, a lot! They need to be reliable, easy for the horses to access, and robust enough to withstand daily use.
We spent a huge amount of time repairing drinkers at our old yard (and by we, I mean my parents). They broke regularly, and I always worried about horses going without water if something failed overnight. So, to me, this was much more than choosing a drinker.
We have the Jelka La Buvette Auto Drinkers in every stable, and they've been fantastic from day one. They're positioned at the front of each stable too, which means that if a horse decides to play with the water, the entire bed doesn't get soaked.
We save bedding, and the stables stay much cleaner and more hygienic. Watching the horses have a long drink is genuinely satisfying. The flow rate is excellent, they're quiet, and they're incredibly easy to clean.
I even learnt how to assemble them myself during installation so that, if anything ever did go wrong, I'd know how to fix them. Thankfully, I haven't needed that skill yet.
Ignoring Drainage and Mud Management
You can never be too prepared. When we moved to our farm in March, mud management was already well underway to prepare for the winter months. Year-round turnout is essential here, so we have to protect the land we've got.
I already owned some Jelka Top Clean Mud Mats from previous years, and they're incredibly effective. They create clean, dry areas for horses to use and provide a practical solution for our wet, muddy winters. We're installing many more across the farm to create loafing areas in each field. Grazing management is changing for many of us as our weather and environment continue to change, so I think products like these will become a necessity for the majority of horse owners.
The Top Clean Mats from Jelka are durable, stay securely in place, and provide excellent grip once topped with a layer of sand. So much easier than hard core and if you don’t have permission for hard standing going in permanently they are the best option. They're also easy to lift and relocate, so if you need to change your layout or move them between paddocks, it's not a huge job. And, as an added bonus, they're made from recycled plastic. Win-win.
A Huge Thank You
Adrian and Jared have played a huge role in helping bring our new farm project to life, and I'm incredibly grateful for everything they've done. Taking on a project of this size, having never done anything like it before, was incredibly daunting.
Along the way, Adrian and Jared were kind, patient and generous with both their time and advice. They helped me make the best decisions with the horses at the forefront of every choice.