Sunday, May 26, 2013

How Horse Stall Cleaning Is Done

By Tisha Greer


Horses are an animal species that must be handled with a lot of care. Unlike other animals that graze in the field for long hours, a pony is likely to spend much time in its stable. There are some conditions in the stable that can put the health of your pony at risk. A lot of moisture and manure heaps can lead to hoof infections and pneumonia. This is why horse stall cleaning should be done regularly.

There are some factors that determine how clean the stable can be. One of these factors is the type of bedding used on the floor of the stall. There are many types of bedding that can be used. Some people use a bare concrete or wooden floor. These are easier to clean but can hurt the animal due to its hardness. Others use straw, wood shavings and sawdust.

The activity of clearing the stall is not that easy. It can be made more difficult when one has a number of horses. In order to ensure the best health conditions, the cleaning must be done daily. This is however not always possible since one may be limited by time. A thorough clean-up is necessary whenever you have enough time.

The cleanup can only be done when the animal is not indoors. It could be in another stable or out grazing. There are some tools that are necessary for the activity. One should have cover clothing like an apron, special footwear for the task, and a pair of gloves. A wheelbarrow, a fork and a shovel are also necessary.

One should remove all the feed trays and watering containers before starting the job. For wooden and concrete floors, use a broom or a shovel to scrub the droppings. A fork is used to dig into bedding that are made of organic matter. The waste should then be lifted into the wheelbarrow and transported to a manure pile. Filling the wheelbarrow to the brim might make it hard for you to push it. One should fill it sparingly to avoid having to redo the work.

The above procedure has to be repeated to ensure that you do a thorough job. Make sure that there is no any wet manure that is left even in the hidden places. The space should then be allowed to air out for some time. Clean bedding should then be added and spread evenly all over the stable.

The new bedding should be well distributed in the stable. Its thickness should vary depending on the season and the type of floor that lies below the bedding. Concrete floors are cold and will require a lot of bedding to keep your equine warm. The structure should also be maintained regularly to ensure that it is in a good condition.

Horse stall cleaning must be done to ensure the animal is in good health. The activity may take some effort but it is worth the time. One can also hire specialists to do the work if you are not available. When the cleaning has been done regularly and disinfectants applied, one can rest assured that their horse is comfortable.




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