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What Type of Bedding Should You Use?

With so many factors to consider it can be difficult to choose what type of stall bedding is best for your horse and your pocketbook, not to mention your back after a hard day of mucking stalls!  Here’s a rundown of the most popular choices.

  • Stall Mats.  Although initially costly, these are excellent for providing good comfort to your horse and for preventing damage to your barn floor.  Stalls with mats tend to be easier to clean and go though less bedding.  If you can afford them, they are highly recommended no matter what your situation.
  • Sawdust or Shavings.  Probably the most commonly used, this type of bedding is both cheap and easy to clean.  If you use a manure fork, you can pick through the shavings and take out only the soiled bedding, keeping costs low.
  • Straw.  Another common traditional bedding, this is most often used when mares are foaling.  There are some drawbacks however, as some horses will want to munch on it.  Also, soiled straw can be heavy to muck out and is difficult to pick out only the dirty bedding, making it a more wasteful option.
  • Pellets.  A relatively new product on the market, wood pellets are dehydrated wood shavings.  Once moistened, they grow into soft, fluffy bedding that is very easy to clean.  Although much more expensive than most other bedding options, some horse owners feel that the lack of waste more than makes up for the cost.

Consider your horse’s individual needs when looking at bedding, for instance if he has respiratory problems you will want to stay away from anything dusty.  Never use old hay as bedding, as horses will nibble on it no matter if it is soiled or moldy.  Your horse spends much of his time in his stall, so finding the right bedding is an important job that should be done with care.

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How to Buy and Store Hay

For many new horse owners, there is potentially nothing that puts you out of your depth more than feeding decisions.  Buying and storing hay is no exception, and has the added difficulty that it can be a major investment, especially when buying large amounts to last the winter months.  To reduce the chance of mold infestation that could cost you your entire investment and inflict serious harm to your horse, you will need to ensure that your hay is dry and mold free from start to finish. 

When you are considering where to purchase your hay, be sure to inspect the quality of their products prior to laying down a lot of money.  Take an experienced horse person with you who can help identify the signs of mold – bales that are dusty, discolored, darker than usual, or even white.  Feeding dusty hay to a horse can cause serious problems, so be sure that the hay you are purchasing is dust-free.  Talk to the seller and confirm that the hay was cut when it was dry.  Physically check the bales to see if they seem dusty, damp, or if you can see any signs of discoloration or mold.  You might want to smell the bale as well – good hay should smell sweet and look clean.

Do not have your hay delivered in wet weather – even if the hay is covered with tarps it will likely get wet as you transport it from the truck to the storage area.  Also make sure your storage area or hay loft is clean and dry.  If stacking on the ground, put your hay on pallets first.  Try to avoid stacking hay against barn walls that may become wet with condensation.  If you live in a particularly damp climate, or have a storage area that is difficult to keep dry, you might consider covering your stacked hay with a tarp, and using dehumidifiers and fans.

Filed Under: Hay, Horse Care Tagged With: Boarding, Hay, Horse Care

Preventing Barn Fires

Barn fires are, sadly, the leading disaster that horse owners encounter.  Fire prevention is key so, first and foremost, prohibit smoking on the property - a carelessly discarded cigarette can spark a fire in a matter of seconds.  Don’t use appliances, such as space heaters, without supervision.  Conduct routine inspections of your electrical systems.  Do not store flammable materials near the barn, and also keep machinery, which can spark, a safe distance from the horses.  Finally, ensure that you store hay only when it is dry, as wet hay has been known to spontaneously combust when tightly stacked.  Because hay can be such a flammable material, it is always best to store it away from the barn wherever possible.

It is also important to be prepared for the potential of a fire.  Have emergency contacts posted at the entrances to the barn, and include the barn’s address should a 911 call be required.  Also make sure that the address is clearly visible from the street.  Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and have an evacuation route, which is also clearly communicated to all barn members, available for each stall.

Should a fire break out, immediately call 911 if your region has this service.  Do not attempt to enter the barn unless it is safe to do so.  If you do, start evacuating the horses that are closest to the exit.  Use a halter and leadrope, and do not blindfold unless absolutely necessary.  Evacuate each horse to an area that is far enough from the fire to be safe, but close enough for easy access, and do not turn them loose as they may run back into the barn.  Even if your horse appears uninjured, have them checked by a veterinarian in case of smoke inhalation, and be prepared for stress reactions such as colic.

Filed Under: Horse Safety Tagged With: Boarding, Horse Safety

Things to Consider When Choosing a Boarding Facility

With so many boarding stables available, it can be a tricky job to pick the right one for you and your horse.  Here’s a list to help you discover what you and your horse will need.

  1. Price.  As much as we hate to admit it, price usually plays a factor, just as it does in where we choose to live with our families.  Look at your finances to see how much you can reasonably afford each month.
  2. Location.  You will need to decide how far away from your home or work you’re willing to board your horse.  Some horse owners don’t mind driving long distances to their barn, however if you go there often, or if there is an emergency requiring you to do daily doctoring, this could prove difficult.
  3. Your horse’s special needs.  Does your horse require special food?  Does he have special housing needs, like the need to be kept outside to prevent an episode of heaves?  Is he used to being turned out on pasture, or will a paddock make him happy?
  4. Riding opportunities.  Is it important that the barn have an arena for you to use?  If so, consider the benefits of a covered arena.  Without good drainage, an outdoor arena will be useless through periods of heavy rain.  Are trails more your speed?  How easy is it to get to the trails from the barn and are the trails suitable for you and your horse’s trail experience?
  5. Competitive opportunities.  Are you looking for good trainers and lots of showing?  If so, a larger, more competitive-focused barn may be right for you.  Or are you looking for a quiet place where you and your horse can bond with minimal distractions? 

Once you have a list of priorities in hand, the prospect of stable hunting won’t seem so overwhelming.

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How to Choose the Right Boarding Stable for Your Horse

If, like many horse owners, you are unable to care for your horse on your own property, then you will need to search for a boarding stable that can house your horse and give him the daily care that he needs. 

The first thing to do when looking for a new boarding facility is to make up a list of needs, for both you and your horse.  Once you have your list, you can begin your search.  Don’t just check the local yellow pages - talk to other horse people such as owners, vets and farriers.  They will likely be able to refer you to places, and may even have inside knowledge as well. 

Once you are ready to start visiting farms, the most important thing to keep in mind is your horse’s health and safety.  When you are touring a potential barn, be sure to check for clean and dry stalls, well ventilated barns, a good insect control program, clean water buckets, and stalls and paddocks that are free from dangerous debris. Find out what kind of feed you can expect your horse to get, and also what the turnout is like.  Try to talk to other boarders if possible, as they will likely fill you in on the pros and cons of the stable without much prodding.  Do the horses there look happy and in good condition? 

Finally, when you are ready to make that all important decision, go over the contract with a fine toothed comb.  Be suspicious if the barn doesn’t have a contract – this could result in board fees being raised or even you and your horse being evicted without warning.  Finding a new home for your horse may seem like a daunting task but with some patience, planning, and a lot of common sense, you’ll find that special place in no time.

Filed Under: Boarding Tagged With: Boarding, Horse Care