How Often Should You Move Your Mobile Field Shelter?

If you’ve chosen a mobile field shelter for its flexibility, you might wonder how often it should be moved to maintain the health of your land and animals. You might wonder:

• Is moving my mobile animal shelter necessary for land health?
• Can I avoid muddy conditions without compromising my shelter’s placement?
• How often should I relocate my temporary horse shelter to keep my animals comfortable and my land in shape?
• Is moving my shelter a requirement for planning permission?

You’re not alone if any of these questions are on your mind. Many owners face the same dilemmas. In this blog, we’ll explore why moving your mobile shelter is essential and how often it should be done to maximise its effectiveness and your investment.

Contact National Timber Buildings today for the best solutions in portable horse shelters. We’re here to help you make the most of your shelter. Call us on 01233 740 944 or email us at info@nationalstables.co.uk to request your free brochure today!

 

Key Benefits Of Moving Your Field Shelter Regularly

So, why is moving your mobile field shelter a good idea? Here are the key reasons to make mobility part of your routine:

1. Healthier Pasture And Livestock

Keeping your relocatable field shelters in one place can damage the ground and lead to muddy, unsanitary conditions—especially in wet months. Regularly moving the shelter:

• It helps maintain healthier grazing land
• Prevents excessive wear and tear on specific patches
• Reduces the risk of hoof and respiratory issues from poor ground conditions

2. Easy Ground Maintenance

One of the major perks of having a field shelter on skids is how easy it is to access and maintain the ground beneath once moved. Give the area time to recover, reseed where needed, and keep your land in better condition long-term.

3. Planning Permission Advantages

A huge benefit of mobile field shelters is avoiding full planning permission in many cases, provided they remain movable and not fixed to the ground. To stay compliant:

• Avoid adding permanent foundations or hardstanding
• Move the shelter occasionally to demonstrate it’s not fixed
• Check local council guidelines on mobile field shelter planning

4. Flexible Animal Management

Whether you’re separating horses, moving stock due to field rotation, or simply adjusting for weather, portable horse shelters make it easy. You can:

• Move a shelter into the shade or shelter from the wind
• Rotate location for horses with different needs
• Use it across multiple fields without extra cost

5. Long-Term Cost Savings

Investing in cheap mobile field shelters for horses doesn’t mean compromising quality. A well-made, movable shelter saves money in the long run by:

• Avoiding planning fees and groundwork
• Reducing land repair costs
• Extending the lifespan of both the land and the shelter

 

When And How To Move Your Shelter

So, how often should you move your field shelter? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some helpful guidelines:

1. Seasonal Adjustments

Move your mobile animal shelter at the start of each season to adapt to changing weather and land conditions.

2. After Heavy Rain Or Bad Weather

Excess water can lead to boggy conditions, especially under shelters. If the area becomes muddy or compacted, it’s time to move.

3. When Rotating Fields Or Stock

Mobile shelters are your best friend if you practice field rotation or need to isolate animals. Plan moves around these changes for smoother management.

Pro tip: Choose a shelter built with skid-mounted bases, ideal for towing or pulling across short distances with a vehicle or by hand. Always move shelters carefully to protect both the structure and your land.

 

Choosing The Right Shelter Makes All The Difference

Not all movable stable shelters are created equal. If your current model is heavy, hard to move, or showing signs of wear, it might be time for an upgrade. Here’s what to look for in a shelter that truly performs:

1. Built-In Skids

These allow for easy mobility across all types of terrain with minimal damage to the ground.

2. Tanalised® Timber

It is a must for long-lasting protection against rot and insect damage, especially in the damp British climate.

3. No Foundations Required

A properly designed mobile shelter won’t require digging or permanent fixing, helping you avoid planning hassles.

4. Bespoke Size And Layout

Need a tack room or hay storage? Want more headroom? Modular relocatable field shelters can be built around your specific needs.

 

Choose National Timber Buildings For The Best Mobile Shelters

At National Timber Buildings, we’ve been crafting bespoke mobile field shelters for over 40 years. Built using Tanalised® timber and expert design, our shelters are made to be moved easily, safely, and without damage to your land.

Each shelter is thoroughly inspected and signed off before delivery, ensuring you receive a structure that meets our highest quality standards. Whether you’re after a cheap mobile field shelter for horses or a custom solution with added extras, we’ve got you covered.

• Easy-to-move designs with skid bases
• Built to last in all weathers
• There is no planning stress for most properties
• British-made, sustainable timber

Know more about mobile field shelters and how to make the most of yours. Give your horses the freedom they deserve with a mobile shelter that works for you.

 

Contact National Timber Buildings today to design a portable, high-quality timber shelter that fits your needs. Call us on 01233 740944 or email info@nationalstables.co.uk to request your free brochure.