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.

Queen’s Love of Horses Shown in Pictures

To mark the birth of Prince George a rare collection of photographs have been released of the Queen, highlighting her love of horses.

The family snaps were taken by her mother and father who were then known as the Duke and Duchess of York.

Queen Elizabeth II has had a lifelong affection for horses and the photographs prove that. She started to learn to ride aged 3 and she was a proficient rider by 6.

In one of the photographs the four year old Queen is seen sat on her Shetland Pony named Peggy. The pony was a gift from her Grandfather King George V. Here at Cheval Liberte we wondered what type of stable she would have had? One thing is for sure our ranges of internal stables are fit for any royal horse.

A second photograph shows the young Elizabeth pretending to ride a small toy horse. She is captured in the garden of Naseby Hall in 1928.

The photographs which predominately have an equine theme are all part of a private family collection. They will mark the early years of Queen Victoria through to the modern day.

In May, the Queen also took part in a BBC programme called The Queen: A Passion for Horses. The programme, presented by Clare Balding included footage of her naming newborn foals and inspecting her animals. 

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.

Grandest Stables Ever Built On Show

The Chantilly Estate in France – home to the grandest stables ever built has opened its new Museum of the Horse.

Covering 6500 square feet, the museum will be housed in the different rooms of the Cour des Remises. The carriage garage complex from the 1700s has been entirely restored since 2011. The rooms form a half-circle next to the world famous Great Stables.

There will also be a large room dedicated to artwork depicting horses.

At Cheval Liberte we know how important stables are and so do the organisers of the Chantilly Estate.

Housed in the western part of the Great Stables are two of the most important French historical carriages. The Imperial ladies’ brougham and the Berlin of the duc de Condé have been recently refurbished and restored to their former glory.

If you have an equestrian yard and want to turn your barns into something great we would be happy to help you so feel free to contact us.

Any derelict structure can be turned into a great stable and options can include large individual American Barns or Internal Stables which come in a Standard or Prestige Range.

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.

What are Temporary Stables?

What are temporary stables apart from the very obvious – stables that are temporary? The main idea is to create a structure for horses that can be quickly assembled and taken down and packed away just as quickly.

They can be used for all sorts of occasions but perhaps especially for events that might last a few days or a weekend, where the horses need a comfortable shelter for a short period of time at a venue that might not normally have any stabling solution. I suppose the classic example would be if there is an Eventing (or horse trials) competition that horses need to be transported to and be accommodated for a few days.

Cheval-Liberte can supply a range of temporary stabling that is ideal for the uses mentioned above.

Some of the benefits include:

Construction/assembly is very quick – from flat pack to fully functioning stable in just a few minutes.

The design is such that although the materials are relatively light, they are still plenty strong enough to safely house the horses.

Flexibility – Depending on the available space, they can either be assembled side by side in a line or back to back.

These are just some of the reasons why temporary stables can be a useful solution in certain circumstances. Please visit the main website at Cheval-Liberte for more information.

American Barns – A Touch of Luxury for Your Horses

There are a whole range of options to consider when housing your horses and they need to be thought through carefully so that whatever decision you ultimately make will have the maximum benefit for the horses themselves.

Are you looking for a temporary option while you are in between operations, perhaps you are moving into new premises? It may be that what you require most urgently is some kind of temporary stabling solution, of which there are various types available. Most temporary stables are effectively a “flat pack” kit and can be assembled and taken down in a very short amount of time.

If you are looking for a more permanent indoor residence for your horse or horses than you might want to go down the route of the American Barns, as stocked over on our main Cheval Liberte website. Again, there are a number of different options and models to choose from depending on your specific requirements but you can rest assured that not only will the horses be protected from the elements but there is also plenty of space inside these constructions.

For all of your stabling solutions, temporary or permanent, please feel free to visit our main website.