Dream Stables: Equestrian Estates Designed for Horse and Human Alike

All photographs by Jana Bannan, courtesy of B&D Builders View full issue. From sustainable fixtures to equine wellness amenities to spaces for entertaining, today’s top-of-the-line equestrian estates feature barns that marry form with function in ways designed to please both horses and home- owners. Master barn builders not only work with architects to ensure that barn aesthetics harmonize with the home, but also brainstorm with clients to tailor details to their individual horses’ needs and personalities. For example, a barn might include half-wall partitions and hinged (“European”) stall fronts to help horses socialize as well as private spaces for animals that need quiet. They might attach runs to each stall to give horses a space to stretch and enjoy the fresh air when they’re not in the pasture. Or they might construct barns with extra-wide aisles and doors to make passing and turning easier for larger breeds of horses. Practical points like proper ventilation, dust minimization, and barn orientation in relation to sunlight and wind are also key considerations. Eco-friendly elements such as reclaimed wood, as beautiful as it is practical for both barns and fences, are also gaining popularity, as are solar panels. For equestrians, there are fully stocked bars, gourmet kitchens, and luxurious spaces in which to relax. For equines, there are padded stall walls to guard against injuries from sharp edges, splinters, and nails, as well as soft stall flooring, memory-foam mattresses, climate-controlled wash stalls, automat- ed food and watering systems, and even horse health monitoring technology. Here, we take horse lovers on a photographic tour of some of today’s most elegant and innovative equestrian real estate. Rubber brick aisleways make walking easy on horses’ hooves. Decorative wood trim adds elegance to a well-organized tack room. Old World craftsmanship meets modern technology in a luxe barn A wagon wheel chandelier and exposed timber framing blend rusticity and glamour at this equestrian facility. At Florida’s TerraNova Equestrian Center, each stall has LED lighting and a fan to maximize comfort for the horses.