Spring is in the air - the days are getting longer, and the temperatures are becoming milder. The idea of spring cleaning has universal appeal after coming through a long winter. When you have horses though, cleaning up around the barn sounds much more appealing than cleaning out the garage or pantry in the house. Here are five tips for giving your horse stalls the deep-clean they need to welcome in spring:
#1 – Preparation
Rather than just jumping into a project that may take much longer than you were planning, take a little time to prepare for what needs to be done. Start with a list of things that you would like to accomplish in the barn, determine what you will need to get those chores completed and gather the needed supplies. This will save time and make the cleaning process more efficient. Plan for a nice warm and sunny day, as horses should be out of the barn when the deep clean is taking place.
#2 – Banish Dust
Keeping cobwebs at bay is a never-ending job and should be done consistently throughout the year, but there is always some dust that seems to accumulate over the winter that needs extra attention. Remove bedding from stalls and items from the aisleways, then use a long-handled duster or broom to go from the top of the ceiling to the bottom of the floor and finish with a detailed sweeping. With the horses outside of the barn, using a leaf blower to move dust out of the barn can be a time saving option.
#3 – Add Water and Scrub
Once the dust has been removed, it is time for a wash down. Remove all the elements from the stall that can be washed and scrubbed outdoors – water buckets, hay bags, grain feeders, and the like will benefit from a splash of disinfectant soap, elbow grease and drying in the sunshine. Back inside, use a power washer, or bucket and scrub brush to work on the walls and the floor surfaces. Horses can be hard on their living areas, examine walls and surfaces for ware and repair/replace accordingly to prevent injury. This is also a great time to clean under mats or re-adjust to make sure they are laying down evenly.
#4 – Refresh
Once surfaces are completely dry, it is time to add back fresh bedding and put back the items in the stalls and aisleways. Before putting items back, determine if anything needs to be replaced or stored for the season. Spring is the time to start fresh with products in good working order. When stowing items away for the season, ensure that they are clean and functional, so they will be ready for future use. As items go back into the barn, organize in a way that allows easy access and mobility. Not only will your barn look better, but it will be safer for humans and horses alike.
#5 – Think Long Term
Depending on the size of the barn, a day spent on deep cleaning can boast some great results. While you are working and cleaning, it is a great time to evaluate bigger projects that you might want to accomplish this year. Would improved lighting make working in the barn easier and safer? Could the horses benefit from adding stall gates for added ventilation? Can exterior access doors from each stall save time during turnout? Write down goals for future projects and investigate what it would take to accomplish them.
Eager for summer? Prepare your barn for the summer with our guide.
We hope that this article has helped give you ideas on how to begin spring cleaning around the barn. Do you have any questions on this post or simply need help with your barn project? You can reach us at sales@americanstalls.com or a call at (855) 957-8255. Alternatively, you can also complete a Contact Us Form.
