Owning and caring for a horse is a wonderful, enriching experience! In addition to developing a special relationship with your animal, you’ll also learn how to handle the responsibility of managing another creature’s well-being.
One of the primary duties every equine caretaker must take on is maintaining a clean and orderly stall. Ensuring your horse has a comfortable place to live is integral to keeping them happy and healthy. Use these four tips to ensure you’re giving your beloved horse the quality home it deserves!
1) Use the Proper Tools
To clean your stall safely and efficiently, have the appropriate tools available! Secure a pair of thick gloves and rubber work boots to protect against bacteria living in horse urine or manure. You’ll need a pitchfork, shovel, and wheelbarrow to hygienically remove used bedding, droppings, dirt, and other hazardous debris for cleaning.
2) Only Clean an Empty Stall
Make sure your horse is out of and away from the stall as you’re cleaning. Move your animal to an empty stall, halter them outside, or use this as an opportunity to let them graze. Remove their toys, water, and food supplies as well. Both your horse and their most used items mustn’t be exposed to potentially harmful cleaning supplies or in the way while you’re trying to get your work done!
3) Clear Away Soiled Bedding
Used and wet, manure-filled bedding is a breeding ground for disease-carrying organisms that can harm you or your horse. Take care to fork all manure and used bedding into your wheelbarrow and shovel out wet bedding. Don’t fill the wheelbarrow too high, though, and risk spilling the waste when you move to dispose of it—take a few lighter trips instead!
4) Ensure New Bedding Is Thick
Would you want to spend your nights sleeping on a flimsy air mattress with no support? Neither does your horse! When putting down fresh bedding, ensure you have enough to support their body and keep them comfortable. Use your pitchfork to fluff it up around the edges of the stall and check for thickness. If you tap the fork through the new bedding and hear it hit the ground, it’s too thin.
Make the cleaning and maintenance of your horse stall easier on yourself by starting with a top-quality structure! At Deer Creek Structures, we have sheds and barns of all different sizes, styles, and designs available to fit the needs of you and your four-legged friend.
Browse our prefab options online or call us at (254)546-2276 to begin your custom design today!