Across horse sport, from grassroots competitors to international medallists, there’s one thing we all agree on: welfare matters. But it’s not always reflected in the welfare-led temporary stabling horses are given at events.

Welfare is a shared value across horse sport. But it’s not always evident in the environments we build.

We hear it regularly on the ground from competitors, their teams, and owners: “You can breathe when you arrive at a competition and see a Woodhouse stable.”

It’s not a throwaway comment – it’s a reaction. Relief. Recognition. Respect. And it tells us something important. When welfare is visible, it builds trust. When it’s missing, it’s noticed.

The standard of stabling at an event sets the tone well before the competition begins. It tells owners, competitors, and their teams that welfare is a priority.
It signals professionalism. And it shows grooms, the people closest to the horses, that their concerns have been anticipated, not overlooked.

What Horses Tell Us
The feedback we value most comes not only from people, but from the horses themselves. We’ve seen top-level horses lie down, rest, and roll the moment they step into our stables – sometimes in ways they don’t at home.

Cavalier Crystal (Nell), one of the horses that FEI World Number 1 Harry Meade has had recent success with, regularly chooses a Woodhouse stable over her permanent one. That behaviour speaks volumes.

The stables we provide don’t just house horses – they influence how they settle, behave, and perform. And what happens in those early hours can shape an entire event.

Why Rest and Recovery Matter
Good stabling doesn’t just make horses feel more at ease – it directly supports performance. According to the British Horse Society, horses require adequate ventilation, low-stress environments, and the opportunity to lie down and achieve REM sleep to support recovery and overall health.¹ Without proper rest, a horse’s cognitive and physical performance can suffer, especially under the demands of travel and competition.²

By creating spaces where horses can roll, rest, and eat calmly, we’re not just offering comfort. We’re enabling better outcomes for horses and riders alike.

Built for Welfare and Built to Last
Temporary doesn’t mean makeshift. Every Woodhouse stable is engineered to the same standard of safety and solidity. That starts with the materials.

We use solid, double-walled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) panels – non-porous, wipe-clean, and proven to withstand heavy use without warping or splintering. No soft surfaces. No exposed timber. No weak points.

Our structures don’t sway or flex, even under pressure. That means less stress for horses, and greater peace of mind for riders, owners, and grooms.

And we apply that standard across the board, whether we’re building 200 stables at a high-profile international, or 20 at a grassroots event.

Good welfare isn’t reserved for the top tier. It’s what every horse deserves.

Dan Hassall, Woodhouse

Designed with Intent, Not Assumption
Every detail in our design is purposeful, and every choice has a welfare reason behind it. Our stable layout encourages quiet interaction between horses – enough for awareness and comfort, but without nose-to-nose contact that can lead to stress behaviours or the spread of disease.

We’ve removed exposed metalwork. Doors are stable and quiet. Panels are fixed to withstand pressure. This is a system built not just to accommodate horses, but to support how they rest, think, and recover.

When those details are done well, the difference isn’t subtle. It’s visible the moment a horse walks in.

Built to Perform – Whatever the Conditions
Welfare isn’t seasonal. It can’t wait for perfect conditions. That’s why our designs account for extremes, because horses still need to rest, eat, and recover whether it’s 30°C and humid or driving with rain.

Curved roofs aid water runoff. Extended overhangs provide essential shade. High-level ventilation supports air movement even in still heat.

And because every component is tested to perform outdoors, they don’t just survive the elements, they help horses thrive in them.

Trusted at Events and at Home
This same level of temporary stabling isn’t just used in competition. It’s increasingly trusted by professionals for long-term hire such as during refurbishments, yard expansions, or seasonal shifts where extra stables are needed but standards can’t dip.

We’ve seen our stables used as overflow for youngstock, foaling mares, or high-performance horses who need calm, secure spaces during times of change. Wherever horses are housed, even temporarily, welfare should remain constant, as explored in our foaling season preparation article.

What We Choose to Provide
This same level of temporary stabling isn’t just used in competition. It’s increasingly trusted by professionals for long-term hire such as during refurbishments, yard expansions, or seasonal shifts where extra stables are needed but standards can’t dip.

Trusted at Events and at Home
We don’t believe in ticking boxes. We believe in building better standards – solidly, thoughtfully, with horses front of mind. Temporary stable designs that allow natural airflow, light, and rest:

• Non-porous, solid walling with minimal internal metalwork
• Structures that reduce risk, stress, and cross-contamination
• Layouts that support rest and optimise performance, for horses, and for the teams who manage them.

We’re trusted by riders like Harry Meade because our stables reflect what matters most: welfare, safety, and peace of mind.

A Shared Responsibility
The conversation around cost will always be part of decision-making. But when it comes to stabling, it can’t be the only factor. Because when horses struggle to settle, when they pace, don’t eat, or don’t rest, it costs everyone: in performance, in stress, and in how the event is remembered.

For many riders, it’s the grooms who give the verdict first. They check the ventilation, look at the layout, assess the flooring and the fixings – long before a rug is removed or a horse is unloaded.
When they say, “The horses will settle well here,” it sets the tone for everything that follows.

The quality of stabling doesn’t just reflect the organiser. It shapes how the entire event is experienced and remembered. And in an era where public trust in horse sport depends on visible welfare, it’s the details that matter most.

The Standard We Stand By
In a sport that’s rightly under more scrutiny than ever, the leaders are those who set standards, not cut corners. Welfare must be visible. And it starts with the welfare-led temporary stabling we choose to build and provide.

Dan Hassall, Managing Director, Woodhouse

References:

1. British Horse Society: “British Horse Society – Stable Safety & Design.”
2. Blue Cross: “Stabling your Horse”.