These Spring Cleaning Tasks Aren’t Just for Aesthetics, But Can Make Your Barn Safer
Check Your Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
Start by checking and cleaning your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and verify that they aren’t expired. Smoke detectors typically feature an expiration date printed on their underside, and once this date has passed, they’ll need to be replaced. 
Wipe down your fire extinguishers and ensure they’re located where you can easily access them. This is also a great time to make sure the fire extinguishers are charged. You’ll need to periodically recharge a fire extinguisher throughout its life to ensure they have enough pressure to operate. Most fire extinguishers require recharging every 6 to 12 years. To check, look at the pressure gauge and ensure the needle is positioned within the green zone. If it needs to be recharged, contact your local fire department; they can probably recommend a local fire equipment service company that can help.
Looking to boost barn safety? Don’t miss our quick fire safety tips to help prevent hazards and protect your horses.
Remove Cobwebs
Remove cobwebs from within your barn to keep it clean and safe. Cobwebs can trap dirt and dust, which could be a potential fire hazard. Removing cobwebs will also make a significant difference to your barn’s visual appeal, leaving it looking neat.
You can remove cobwebs with various tools, including a broom or a cobweb duster with an extension pole. In addition to cleaning cobwebs from within your barn and horse stalls, be sure to focus on key areas, such as your tack room, feed room, and hayloft.
Clean Your Hay Storage Space
Before your first loads of this year’s hay are delivered, thoroughly clean out your hay storage space. In addition to removing cobwebs, remove any loose, old hay and check bales for mold or excessive dust. 
If you use pallets, lift those pallets up and clean under them to remove any old hay so that air can circulate beneath them. Finish up with a thorough sweeping to remove any remaining loose hay or dust.
Cleaning your hay storage space or hayloft is an important safety precaution. By removing old hay, you can prevent any poor-quality or moldy hay from being accidentally fed out. Cleaning out loose hay also allows air to circulate appropriately, which can help reduce fire risk.
Storing hay safely is key to protecting your barn and your horses. Discover 6 practical tips to improve your hay storage. 
Don’t forget to clean off any Barn Lighting fixtures that are in your hay storage space. Make sure that these fixtures are covered for fire prevention, and keep them free of dust and cobwebs.
Deep Clean Your Feed Room
Spring is a great time to deep clean your feed room, too. Remove any old feed from your bins and wash and dry the bins to clean out any dust and dirt. Check all of your supplements and medications and throw out any that are spoiled or expired. 
As you clean, look for signs of rodents and take steps to control them, like setting traps and enclosing your feed and supplements in rodent-proof containers.
Clean and Check Your Tack
Before your tack sees increased use during the busy summer season, thoroughly clean and inspect it for any signs of damage or wear that may need to be addressed. Take the time to disassemble your tack, including taking your bridles apart and removing stirrup leathers from saddles, which will allow you to thoroughly clean, condition, and inspect all of your tack.
While you clean the tack, look for issues like:
- Cracked leather
- Buckles that no longer work easily
- Saddle billets that are starting to separate
- Saddle panels that are misshapen or indented
- Fleece on the underside of your saddle that’s starting to wear or pull away
- Conchos that are missing from your Western saddle
- Loose or unraveling stitching
- Unusual squeaks or noise when you flex your saddle
If you notice any of these issues, contact a tack maker or saddle fitter to have your tack evaluated and repaired. Addressing these issues early on can help prevent further damage and keep you and your horse safe.
This is also a good time to ensure you’re storing your tack properly. If you’ve acquired more saddles than anticipated, avoid stacking them on top of each other, which can damage their panels. Instead, buy and install quality Saddle Racks so you can store each saddle on its own rack. 
Check your bridle storage, too. Storing bridles on hooks that are too narrow can cause stress to the leather and even lead to cracking over time. Investing in Bridle Hooks that are shaped to support your bridle and keep the leather in its curved position can help preserve your bridle and avoid this issue. 
Walk and Clean Your Pastures
After winter snow and ice have thawed, you can find all sorts of unusual objects that have emerged in your pastures. Walk your pastures and remove debris, such as fallen tree branches. Keep a close eye on the footing and repair any divots or large holes that have formed. 
Next, walk the perimeter of each pasture and inspect your Horse Fencing. Repair or replace any damaged fencing to ensure your pastures are safe and ready for spring and summer turnout.
Contact American Stalls for Your Spring Cleaning Essentials
As you work on your spring cleaning list, you may find your barn needs repairs or upgrades, like new fencing or saddle and bridle racks for your tack room. At American Stalls, we custom-make top-quality barn components to meet all your spring cleaning, barn building, and renovation needs. Contact us today at (855) 957-8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com to schedule a sales and design consultation or to ask any questions you may have.
