Deodorizing & Sanitizing Horse Stalls

Although horses are beautiful, majestic creatures, they are also large, and eat and drink quite a bit. Because their stalls also act as their bathrooms, this leaves their areas messy and smelly. Stalls can also harbor bacteria and pests. When you move a horse out of a stall, clean it before you move anything else in.

Things You'll Need

  • Pitchfork
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Sponge or rags
  • Hose
  • Broom
  • Mop
  • Gloves
  • Mask
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Instructions

    • 1

      Leave the stall open for at least a week before a new horse moves in. The stall needs to air out after the cleaning before it's safe for a new horse.

    • 2

      Clean out all the old shavings and open the doors and windows in the stall. You'll need maximum air circulation for an effective cleaning. Use a pitchfork to scrape any caked-on shavings from the floor as well, and make sure you scrape out the corners, where shavings tend to accumulate. Remove any rubber mats from the ground and put them outside to be cleaned on their own.

    • 3

      Remove anything else that isn't attached to the walls. This includes water buckets, toys and stall guards. Put these outside to be cleaned with the mats.

    • 4

      Mix one part laundry bleach to 10 parts warm water in a bucket. Don gloves and a mask for your protection. Use this mixture and a sponge or rags to wash the mats and extra, and scrub the spots that are particularly dirty. Rinse the lot with hot water when you're done in order to get all the bleach off.

    • 5

      Move back into the stall and sweep the walls and corners to get rid of spiderwebs and dust. Spray the walls of the stall with a hose to clean them off, then use a mop and the bleach solution to disinfect the walls. Rinse them off with water again when you're done in order to get rid of the bleach.

    • 6

      Put a fan in front of the stall, facing into the stall, and turn it on. Allow the stall to air for several days before you put more bedding in, and then several days more before you put in a new horse.