How to Improve the Clay Soil in a Horse Stall

No matter what type of horse you own, it is important to provide your equine companion with a safe, clean place to sleep. A clean stall is an important part of horse keeping, and horse owners need to make sure that their stalls are kept clean and dry. If the soil in your area is composed largely of clay, keeping the ground dry can be a real challenge. Clay tends to hold moisture much more than other types of soil, so it is important to use the right materials and techniques to keep the stall as clean and dry as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse stall mats
  • Rake
  • Wood pellet bedding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consider using rubber stall mats if the clay is particularly thick and damp. Stall mats are a good way to keep the stall clean and dry. These mats can be purchased at tack shops, farm stores and even over the Internet.

    • 2

      Make sure the mats are cut to size, and that there are no gaps at the edges of the stall. It is important that the entire surface of the stall be covered.

    • 3

      Rake the soil to loosen it if you are not using mats. Rake the soil thoroughly and use a shovel to remove any muddy areas.

    • 4

      Lay down a good layer of compressed wood stall pellets. It can take up to 10 to 15 bags of pellets to start a new stall floor on clay soil. These pellets are designed to expand when they get wet, puffing up and looking like ordinary wood shavings. Wood pellets are good at absorbing moisture, and over time they can suck moisture from the clay soil and improve its quality.

    • 5

      Clean the stall on a regular basis, focusing particularly on removing any wet and heavily soiled areas. Lay down a fresh handful or two of the compressed wood shavings every time you clean a wet area in the stall.