Work Smarter: Tips To Decrease Horse Stall Maintanence Time

Alright, let's be honest: cleaning stalls is probably the most annoying part of daily interaction with horses. Are you one of the many people that would love to put down the pick and get in the saddle before noon? No worries, read on for some tips to decrease horse stall maintanence time!

Work with your stalls to design them with labor in mind, along with the health of the animal. You want them to be as easy to clean as possible. Most horse-boxes have a base of either concrete or some type of dirt. In either case, buying and installing rubber mats will help immensely because of their porous nature. It not only shaves time by being less messy, their cost-effectiveness is very high. They are also great for the horse's legs when it comes to both padding and traction.

The next thing you should think about is what type of bedding you use. There are several options here, and they are all different. Look for something that offers good footing, absorbency, and is easy to sift through. Shavings, sawdust, or pellets are the most recommended to fill those needs. Using straw is a sifting nightmare and can really increase how long it takes to cleanse the space.

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!

Sometimes it can be hard to want to do the boxes the right way all the time, especially if you have many to do every single day. Try some of these techniques rather than skimping in this area. The reason is because of all the harmful effects that it can have on your mount's general health. You want to avoid the respiratory and skin issues that can come from being in a dirty stall. Think also about the infestation that can come from flies and mosquitoes breeding in the backup!

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!

Think of all the ways these suggestions can actually help you! Money can be saved on materials, labor, and services. There will be more happy owners and happy horses!

Horses are great companions. While they do require a lot of work and attention, there is no reason it has to be an overload. Hopefully these tips to decrease horse stall maintanence time will help you out!

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