How to Clean Horse Stalls in Heavy Rain

Cleaning out horse stalls can be a rewarding task, particularly when you experience your horse comfortably lying down in fresh sweet smelling bedding. It is also essential for the health of your horse. However, it is not the cleanest of jobs and can be physically demanding. If you are not lucky enough to have stalls positioned in a covered barn, then cleaning out during heavy rainfall can make the job twice as difficult. It is possible, however, for you and your horse to stay as dry as possible during the process.

Things You'll Need

  • Waterproof rug
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Spare stall
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Shovel
  • Pitch fork
  • Yard broom
Show More

Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Ensure you are suitably dressed in wet weather clothing, including a long waterproof coat, waterproof footwear, waterproof trousers, rubber gloves and rain hat or hood.

    • 2

      Find a spare stall that is not currently being used and place a waterproof rug on your horse before removing him from his stall to the spare one. Make sure you open the spare stall's door wide before bringing the horse out of his stall to allow him to walk straight into the new stall. This cuts down the time both you and your horse are out in the rain.

    • 3

      Collect all the equipment you are going to need, including a wheelbarrow, shovel, fork and yard broom.

    • 4

      Take all your equipment into the stall. It is not recommended that you follow this procedure if your horse is tied up within his stall, but with no horse in the stall it is safe to do so. Remove the water bucket and any potential hazards, such as a hay net or feed bucket.

    Cleaning out

    • 5

      Clean out your stall by removing the droppings and wet bedding into the wheelbarrow using your pitch fork and shovel to pick them up without removing too much clean bedding. Throw up the remaining bed onto the sides and brush the floor thoroughly, removing the remaining pile with your shovel. Bring the bedding down off the sides with the fork and square off the edges, leaving a higher bank around the sides of the stall for warmth and comfort.

    • 6

      Take your wheel barrow with the soiled bedding to the manure heap, empty the wheelbarrow and ensure it is clean before filling it up with clean bedding. If you are using straw rather than shavings baled in plastic, throw a sack over the straw to keep it dry.

    • 7

      Top up the stall with clean fresh bedding, checking that you cannot feel the floor through it. Clean your water buckets and refill them before putting them back in the stable. Fill your hay net and tie up high so the horse does not get his feet caught in the net. If you are using a hay rack, ensure it is refilled with fresh hay. Brush the front of the stall area, leaving it clean and tidy.

    • 8

      Remove all the tools to their appropriate storage and fetch your horse from the spare stall. Remove his waterproof rug and place it and your wet weather gear to dry.