WITH horses spending more time in their stables over the winter months, it is important this space is clean, warm and dry.

It is imperative that you muck out your horse’s stable every day, not only for your horse’s health but also for the good of your stable structure. Wooden stables can rot and decay easily if they are not cleaned frequently.

Stripping your stable regularly during the winter months is good practice to reduce the risk of your horse developing infections such as thrush or respiratory problems, which can be caused by high levels of ammonia, faecal matter and trapped urine.

If your stable has good drainage, using a power hose can help give it a really deep clean. Alternatively, buckets of warm water and disinfectant along with a hard brush to scrub down walls and the floor can be used. If you have rubber matting, remove and wash this, allowing your stable and the mats to fully dry before putting them back in.

Use this time to properly inspect your stables for draughts or leaks, it is better to get these sorted now before the weather gets worse.

Once your stable has been thoroughly cleaned and has dried out, you can bed it down with the bedding of your choice and it’s ready for your horse.

Winter checklist

  • • Snow shovels: If the last few years are anything to go by, we won’t need to worry about snow shovels until January or February, but it is always good to be prepared. Snow shovels will allow you to quickly and easily clear a path from your horse’s stable to the muck heap and out to the field. •
    • Gritting salt: Like the snow shovels, it’s better to be looking at it rather than looking for it. Grit is handy to have on the yard after an overnight freeze to ensure the safety of horses and humans.
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    • Headlamp: Another handy addition to your winter survival kit, especially if there is a power-cut.
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    • High-visibility vest: These should always be worn when hacking out, especially if you get caught out with the ever shortening evenings.
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    • Fencing: Check fencing for any weather-related damage.
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    • If feeding your horse hard feed or hay outside, try to avoid feeding in the same place each day. This will prevent the field from becoming very cut up and muddy in one area.
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    • Put down wood chip in your field in particularly muddy areas (gateways especially).
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    • Rugs: Make sure you have a spare rug ready to put on your horse should the one they have on get damaged.