To maintain a horse stall, daily cleaning is only the beginning. Although this is an important aspect of horse stall maintenance, it will not remove the build-up of toxic materials and odor, and it will not reveal problems that might exist below the surface of shavings or straw.
How Often Should You Clean a Horse Stall?
Cleaning a horse's stall, as mentioned above, is the first step to maintenance, and the frequency depends largely on how much time the horse spends in his stall. Some horses are cooped up in a 12X12 stall every moment of the day except when they are ridden, while others might spend several hours each day in a pasture or paddock.
The average horse urinates five to six times each day and defecates two or three times. The majority of waste is eliminated 30-45 minutes after eating, which usually occurs twice a day. This means that a horse's stall should be cleaned at least twice, usually in the mornings and evenings after a feeding.
If the horse spends significant time in a paddock or pasture, it is acceptable to limit cleanings to just once a day, usually in the mornings. However, it is important to watch the horse's behavior for excess urination or defecation.
How Often Should You Change Shavings?
Most horse owners bed their horses' stalls with wood shavings, which can be purchased in bulk and kept outside under a tarp or in a covered area. A typical stall needs two or three wheelbarrows full of shavings at a time, and shavings should be changed every three to four days.
Of course, this depends on the size of the horse, the frequency of urination and the amount of shavings removed from the stall during cleaning. An experienced stall cleaner can remove a minimum of shavings by sifting through a pitchfork, which means that shavings don't have to be changed quite as often.
When Should Stalls Be Thoroughly Scrubbed?
At least four times a year, a horse's stall should be completely emptied, then scrubbed with Lysol disinfectant for adequate maintenance. Cobwebs and other debris should be swept from the rafters and walls, and all removable objects (such as buckets and toys) should be taken out and scrubbed separately.
If the horse stall is floored with rubber mats, those should also be removed and scrubbed, and the clay or dirt beneath it should be leveled and checked for mold, fungus and pests. If there is significant build-up in the horse stall, a pressure-washer can be used to remove all traces.
How Should Buckets and Waterers Be Cleaned?
The problem with buckets and automatic waterers is that they are breeding grounds for insects, mold, fungus and other growths. Therefore, maintenance of a horse stall includes removing these items frequently (once every two weeks, at least) for cleaning.
Usually, scrubbing these items out with water and a stiff brush should be sufficient. But when scrubbing a horse's stall, it is a good idea to disinfect these items at the same time to discourage further growth. Pipes leading to an automatic waterer should also be checked periodically for any mold or fungus.
What Else Should Be Done When Cleaning a Horse Stall?
Preventative maintenance is the key to maintaining a horse stall. When cleaning the horse's stall on a daily basis, it is a good idea to use that time to check for things that might need repairs or extra cleaning. These include:
- Exposed nails or screws that could injure the horse.
- Pests, including insects or rodents, that might have taken up residence.
- Wasp, hornet and bee nests that might have been built in the rafters.
- Broken, chipped or otherwise damaged buckets.
- Urine, feces or other debris in automatic waterers.
When horse owners take the time to exercise preventative maintenance, cleaning and maintaining a horse's stall isn't as difficult a chore.
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