Anyone who has horses knows that cleaning stalls takes the longest out of any barn chore to complete. Are you looking to cut down your hours of cleaning and increase your quality time with your pet? Here are a few tips to decrease horse stall maintanence time!
Set your box up to where it is most convenient to keep disinfected. One of the best ways to do this is to install rubber mats. This is great whether you have a concrete or dirt or clay base. A mat is porous, provides great traction, is durable, and really cuts down on the labor involved in going through stalls. They are also great for your horse’s legs if he is in a lot, and is extremely cost-effective.
Your choice of bedding is also important. Certain materials are more likely to soak up urine and are more simple to pick through. For instance, shavings are great because they absorb wetness well, but are still easy to sift through. Pellets and sawdust are both also good choices in terms of making the area easier to keep maintained while also doing its job well for your equine. Either of these beddings combine well with horse mats.
Obviously when you go into your facility to do chores, you want it to go by quickly. This means having the right tools as much as having the right stall design! Use picks that have the prongs spaced out properly for the type of horses you have. Pony-sized picks are available so you can grab their smaller-sized poop with ease! Have lightweight wheelbarrows that are easier to maneuver. If you use muck tubs, buy a cart for them so you can get them around easier. The smallest things add up in determining how long you are working!
Keeping a box sanitary is also extremely important to your equine friend’s health. Standing in a built-up space can have very adverse effects. Respiratory, leg, and skin problems can arise quickly. In addition, it becomes a breeding ground for both flies and mosquitoes. Definitely something you want to avoid!
One of the biggest detriments to not keeping a proper sanitized area is the increased likelihood of thrush in your horses! This is a terrible fungal infection that eats away at the foot, and it is caused by too much trapped moisture. It creates a horrible stench and is very uncomfortable for your mount. If left untreated, you could be looking at a lame animal. Avoid this altogether by keeping his stall clean. Use the tips mentioned to cut down on your effort spent doing that, this way you are more likely to do it right!
Finally, employing some of this knowledge to your barn will save you a lot in the end. You are looking at less cost to maintain. It can drastically lessen either your own time and effort or that of your hired labor, which also puts more money back in your pocket! After all, in the horse world, extra cash is never bad!
There you go! Start using a few of these tips to decrease horse stall maintanence time today! Spend less time working and more time riding!
Looking for cost-effective stall flooring for your horses? These environmentally-friendly horse mats may be just what you need. Rubber stall flooring provides comfortable support for your horses, and helps to relieve joint pressure by absorbing shocks.