Spring Cleaning: How to Prepare Your Barn for Summer

April 10, 2022

It’s officially the Spring time which means that it’s time put away those heavy blankets and switch them out for fly masks.

A fresh horse barn can make the world of difference in the health and sanity for your horses and handlers! Early Spring time is the perfect time to get begin prepping your barn for warmer weather ahead. This includes cleaning both your horse barn, horse stalls, and every in-between.

It’s time to effectively organize and stow away your winter equipment and get organized for warm weather riding (finally). 

Here are a few tips to help you kickstart your spring cleaning:

COMPLETE CLEAR OUT

This may go without saying, but don’t forget to clear out your space before you start cleaning your barn. This includes hay, bedding, rubber mats, and any other movable equipment. An empty space is key before you start your cleaning process.

Once you have products and equipment out of the way, the clearing process then includes your beloved horses. This means turning your horses out to the pasture. This practice is key as your horses tend to get in the way of effective cleaning – not to mention kicked up dust that is hazardous to their health. Once this all is done, the real work begins.

HAY ROOM

Hay removal can be cumbersome, but this is the first step after you completely clear out your barn. We recommend to go through your hay storage areas. We know that many equestrians store and feed their horses with ample amounts of hay supply. This is why it is even more important to get rid of any hay supply that may be questionable or gone bad.

Once you remove hay, we recommend to thoroughly sweep the entire area. Clean floors and areas will ensure hay particles don’t cause issues for your horse’s breathing. Your horses will also appreciate a clean barn (just like us humans).

Afterwards, look around and remove cobwebs as you find them. The removal of cobwebs is especially important since they pose the risk of a fire hazard. This practice accomplishes a safer horse barn while also making for a fresh appearance. Lastly, scan your hay room for any wet spots. A wet spot could help identify a potential leak in the roof that requires repair. This is essential to preventing moldy bales of hay. Once you’ve given the room a good cleaning, it’s time to bring back the hay now that the floor is clear.

Tack Room

Once the hay room is cleaned, the tack room is the next room to clean. We’ve all been guilty of spending hours on Pinterest – scrolling through dreamy barns and tack rooms. Well now it’s your time for your tack room to shine!

Similar to our homes, the winter team usually means that the tack room becomes a mess full of saddles, hardware, and cleaning supplies. Step one is to make extra space. You can accomplish this by removing supplies, tack, and gear that you no longer use. You can also always donate unwanted supplies to a local horse rescue.

Once you’ve made some space, it’s time to polish your hardware and condition your tack. Lastly, you’ll want to wash and organize your riding blankets. Once you have everything organized, it’s a great idea to do one final dusting and sweep of your dream tack room. We recommend to do a similar procedure to that of your hay room. This includes everything from sweeping to dusting to removing cobwebs.

HORSE STALLS

Horse stalls tend to remain unkempt in all seasons, but especially so in the winter. This tendency is why it’s important to do a deep spring cleaning. For a whole article, we recommend that you read our guide, “How to Disinfect a Horse Stall?”

In addition to a disinfection, we recommend to follow general best practices for horse stall maintenance. This routine, seasonal checkup will ensure you get more years out of your horse stalls investment. This includes basic such as:

1. Inspect your horse stalls for any chips or scratches in the powder coat. Contact our team for a bottle of touch up paint to ensure any scuffs, scratches, or chips are treated.
2. Inspect the hardware around your horse stalls. During the Winter season, did you realize that your horse blankets were unorganized? That might warrant accessible blanket bars. The same applies for bridle hooks, halter hooks, and other tack hardware – all of which can ensure for a safer and more organized barn.
3. Inspect the condition of your in-fill material which is usually Southern Yellow Pine lumber. Is it still in good condition? Are there any boards that need replacement pieces?

AISLEWAYS

We are guilty to this, but horse barn aisles can quickly turn into storage areas. This habit and tendency can subtly turn into a safety hazard as there is more protruding items in the overall flow of the barn. Spring is the perfect time to finally clean your aisle way to declutter and organize your equipment. 

This is a great practice for cleanliness, but also to remove any potential fire hazards.  Lastly, decide on a new space in the barn where you can store excess tools, supplies, and equipment. A designated space is sure to make it easier for you to follow through with returning those items. 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

One of the most neglected equipment in any home or barn: safety equipment. This includes:

1. Make sure that your fire extinguishers are serviced and placed in an easy-to-find location.
2. Get the wiring checked by an electrician.
3. Clean your stall fans to ensure that cobwebs and other fire hazards are taken care of.
4. Restock your first aid kit
5. Replace any expired items.

Cleaning is never the favorite, glamorous topic in any household or organization – yet it is essential. We hope these tips will help you kick off a clean and successful Summer season. Happy cleaning!

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