Equine Log Cabin

by Katherine Waddington

An enduring drought and hard times on the land have not prevented this Victorian dairy farmer from creating a rustic haven for the much loved family pony.



This character ‘back yard’ stable and garden feature was constructed by Jersey dairy farmers Don and Sue, in the Katunga area of northern Victoria, close to the New South Wales border. As Sue has had a number of serious health issues over the years, the family, farm and animals are everything to this devoted couple who work together to run their dairy farm – not an easy task given Victorian milk prices, water prices and the current enduring drought.

Don used to be a jockey and is also something of an expert ‘amateur’ carpenter and recycler. About a year ago he purchased a young miniature pony they called ‘Ringo’. An experienced horseman, Don trained the pony to harness - purchasing a tiny unfinished sulky, which he completed, so Sue could ride about the property. Talented Don also made a tiny saddle for Ringo and with the help of some lucky grandchildren has now educated him to saddle.

A couple of months ago, in between his not inconsiderable day-to-day workload on the farm, Don decided Ringo needed a shelter next to his paddock...and with the help of a friend, put together this functional, rustic building, which has become a feature of the back garden.

The building frame is steel pipe, with recycled iron on the back wall and the roof attached to the frame with brackets and bolts. Cladding on all other outside walls is made of split bush poles, and the inside walls and lining are made of half sleepers. Although custom built for a small pony, this stable could easily accommodate a large horse, as it is built extremely sturdily! The box is filled with rice hulls - which Ringo Dec/Jan 2007/08 - Page 51 loves to roll in. Being light and airy due to the alsinite roof panels and open section at the top of roof apex, it is a pleasant place for any horse, or pony to spend time.

The main stable box is divided at one end from the tack/feed and storage area by a half wall also built of half sleepers. Detail perfect, this room is decorated with old potato sacks and huge ancient bolts to hang Ringo’s bridle, halter, etc. on, and is accessed from the front of the building.

Running off the main stable is a huge yard built from split bush logs bolted onto half sleeper uprights. The size of this yard means that it could double as a day yard if needing to confine ill or injured horses, or to keep hungry little ponies off green grass - if the drought ever ends! Boards around the bottom of the rails keep the plentiful washed river sand within the confines of the yard. Completing the rustic look is a wooden gate with tall upright poles and a rail high overhead.

The garden, which runs around the outside of the stable, is a work in progress but Sue hopes to have it completed soon. Heavily mulched, it will be a water-wise garden, complimenting the established trees and grass that already surround the stable. The details regarding this rustic equine lodge were supplied by Sue’s friend Katherine who is firmly convinced that Ringo has to be one of Australia’s luckiest ponies!!