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| Stall Management Although stall management seems pretty self-explanatory, it is something that can be narrowed down to a science. It took me awhile before I got the hang of it, and even now I am keeping my eyes open for more efficient, cost-conscious things. Here are some of the questions I had before I started out, and the answers I have acquired over the last two years. What is needed to clean the stall? Pretty much all it takes is a wheelbarrow and an angled 18 tine manure and bedding fork, which can be found at most feed stores and is anywhere from $14-$18. It is definitely well worth having and makes cleaning a lot easier. When first starting, I used a shovel…it didn’t work to well and I got very frustrated! What kind of bedding should be used? There is a variety of beddings that could be used: straw, wood shavings, dirt, any different options that might be offered at feed stores. No one thing has to be used, and you can decide what would be best for your horse, and also, of course, what you can afford. I have found that dry den stall bedding, which is compressed wood pellets with a deodorizer (which I highly recommend), is the most effective thing for absorbing urine. I use about 4-6 bags a month at a cost of $3.25 for a 40 lb bag (that’s for two horses). My horse stalls are just dirt, and I don’t use anything else for bedding, but I make sure that they’re always clean and fresh-smelling. So far it has worked just fine. How often should the stalls be cleaned? Stalls should be cleaned every day. A build-up of manure and soggy bedding can cause problems like irritation to their hooves, and can also increase their chances of getting worms. By keeping the stalls clean, it helps keep the horse healthy. The fewer vet bills, the more smiles! So as this winter plods along, just keep up on those stalls! Your horse will love you for it, I’m sure. Have fun! Happy horsemanship, Carolyn Miller |