How to Keep a Horse Stall Free of Mud

Owning a horse can be a rich and rewarding experience, but it is important to give your four-legged friend the care he or she deserves. No matter what the breed, horses require specialized care, and part of that care is keeping their home mud-free. Standing in mud can cause serious hoof problems for horses, so it is very important for horse owners to keep those stalls as clean and dry as possible.

Things You'll Need

Pitchfork
Shovel
Sawdust or pelleted wood horse shavings
Wheelbarrow

Instructions

- 1
  If mud has already taken over your horse's home it is important to strip the stall down to the bare earth. Use a large flat shovel and scoop up the mud, shavings and horse droppings. Place everything in the wheelbarrow and empty the wheelbarrow as needed. Continue this process until all the mud and muck have been removed.
- 2
  After the stall has been stripped down to the bare earth the next step is to put down a layer of fresh shavings. If using sawdust, be sure to put down at least 6" of shavings, enough to give your horse a comfortable floor.
  
  If you decide to use pelleted wood shavings you will probably need about 10 bags for a 12-by-12-foot stall. Empty each bag of shavings into the center of the stall and use the pitchfork to spread the wood pellets around evenly. After all the pelleted bedding has been spread around the stall, mist the stall lightly with water. This will help the pellets puff up into sawdust. As the horse uses the stall and adds additional moisture, the rest of the pellets will puff up into sawdust and provide a soft and long-lasting bedding for your horse.
- 3
  Pick out the stall on a daily basis. The best way to keep mud at bay after the stall has been thoroughly cleaned is to maintain it on a daily basis. Use the pitchfork to pick out any solid waste, and use the shovel to remove any wet sawdust or wood pellets. This daily maintenance will help to keep the stall clean, fresh and mud free.