“Spring cleaning only applies to your home," said no equestrian ever.
A fresh horse barn can make the world of difference in the health and sanity for your horses and handlers! Late Winter time and early Spring time is the perfect time to get started on your Spring cleaning for your horse barn and horse stalls.
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 horse barn and stalls. 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. Once you remove hay, we recommend a thorough sweep throughout the area.
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!
Firstly, you can make extra space 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.
HORSE STALLS
*Cracks knuckles*
“Welcome to our speciality”
We all can attest to the times our horse stalls have been left unkempt in the wintertime. This is why it’s crucial to do a deep spring cleaning.
For a whole article, we recommend that you read our guide, "How to Disinfect a Horse Stall?"
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:
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!
