Does your horse’s stable need a good spring clean? Here, David Jeffrey’s from Stable Shield shares his tops tips for keeping your stable a bacteria-free zone.

It’s important that your horse is kept in a clean environment, especially when stabled.

Not only does it make for a better atmosphere, but it also benefits your horse’s health.

For example, living in dusty conditions can affect your horse’s respiratory system.

Though it might seem like a big job to keep your horse’s environment squeaky clean, these easy tips will ensure your stable provides the best environment it can for your horse.

1. Get scrubbing

A thorough clean of your horse’s stable is a great way to provide a hygienic environment that’s healthier for your horse.

Clean your horse’s stable thoroughly on a regular basis. Remember that the more often your horse is kept in his stable, the more often his stable will need cleaning.

2. Work from the floor up

Start by lifting and removing any rubber matting and thoroughly wash them using a stiff brush, water and disinfectant.

Do the same for the floor of the stable and the walls and doors. Use a strong brush to sweep the floor. Use the brush to knock down spider’s webs and dust as well.

3. Bring on the water

A pressure washer is ideal for lifting dirt and grime and giving a powerful water supply to produce a great finish. Let the floor and mats dry and the stable air before replacing any mats.

4. Replace old bedding

Add new bedding to your horse’s stable to replace any that has been removed. If there’s thick rubber matting on the stable floor, bedding can be thinner.

Periodically, you should completely strip the stable of old bedding. You may want to put down some odour control solution or stable disinfectant. Make sure the floor is dry before you add the new bedding.

5. Don’t forget his bowls

Clean your horse’s water and feed buckets, removing old food and water and scrubbing the buckets.

6. Running repairs

Keep on top of small jobs like squeaky doors, loose bolts and flickering lights. Simple repairs will keep you abreast of overall maintenance issues.

7. Consider repainting

For a long-term solution, use new Stable Shield Anti-Bacterial paint on walls and ceilings, as it helps prevent the spread of bacteria by up to 99.8%.

It’s ideal for all yards including stables, tack rooms, feed rooms, newly built yards and hay barns.

Stable Shield Antibacterial Paint, is a water-based, non-toxic paint that can be applied to stables to create a fully disinfected yard.

The paint prevents the growth of bacteria on all applied surfaces. This in turn creates a clean environment that’s crucial to help horses with their respiratory system and overall wellbeing.

8. Organise your tack room

Look at your tack room and, if necessary, give it a clean and tidy up. It’s a good idea to sort out all of your rugs and send the winter ones for washing and then bag them up to put in storage.

9. Make your equipment seasonal

Your equipment, such as your horse’s grooming kit, may need a good sort through. Wash and put away any items that you won’t need throughout the summer, so that they’re ready for next winter.

10. Check your horse’s rugs

Make sure all rugs are washed and clean

Take out your lighter rugs and ensure they’re all in good working order and ready to use. If you’ll be competing this summer, check your kit and make sure you have everything you need and all is in good condition.

11. Update your emergency contacts

If you keep a list of emergency contacts near your horse’s stable, make sure that everything is correct and alter if necessary. If you haven’t got an emergency contact list, now is the perfect time to make one.

12. Spruce up feed rooms

Feed rooms and hay stores can always do with a good tidy up, so give them a good sweep and remove any cobwebs.

Check that all feed bins are in good working order and regularly check rodent traps if you have them.

Spring is also a good opportunity to get rid of any old feed that you’ve been holding on to.

13. Do some weeding

If you have any plants or grass around the yard, make sure they look smart by weeding any beds and mowing the grass.

Hanging baskets with dead plants should be emptied and potted up with new ones.

For further information about Stable Shield products contact 01386 423999 or visit www.stableshield.co.uk

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