Spring Cleaning is a fantastic way to usher out the cold, stagnant and dreary and welcome in the warm, fresh and revitalized! For equestrians, there is nothing like the overwhelming feeling of joy and satisfaction that comes from barn cleaning, organizing and essentially implementing an overhaul and reset to our sanctuary. Knowing that, in our hard work and efforts, we’ve made a huge impact on the environment in which our beloved horses live can be euphoric. Have you experienced the pleasure of:
Looking around your barn and seeing everything in its place, clean organized and ready to use…
Taking in a deep breath and lingering on the scent of horse, fresh hay, fly spray and leather with a hint of your favorite disinfectant…
Knowing that you’ve taken great measures to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your horse’s home
Feeling the warmth of sun on your skin, dipping your hands into the cool, clean, fresh water in your outside water trough
These are some of the greatest simple pleasures for equestrians!!
Whether you have or haven’t basked in the satisfaction of a deep spring clean-up in your barn, I think we can all agree that this is something to strive for! While this task is a welcomed mental and physical therapy for many, for others it can seem like a daunting chore. Our objective is to highlight specific tasks necessary to tackle during a spring clean and to help break this project down into smaller, obtainable sections.
Remove Cobwebs from EVERYWHERE, inside and out
- Start high like ceiling, rafters and walls before hitting the areas at eye level and lower
- Leave no corner untouched
Ceiling/Walls/Windows/Doors/Floors
- These are areas that often get dismissed but can make a huge difference
- Repair or Replace anything that has been broken or damaged
- Rid the space of cobwebs and settled dust
- Start high and work down
- Use hose or power washer to further remove settled dust and debris
- Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies
- Don’t be afraid to get in there with a little extra elbow grease; use hot soapy water and/or an appropriate disinfectant; a sponge or scrub brush
Strip Out Stalls and Leave Empty to Air Out
- If possible, leave horses out a night or two or rotate stalls one at a time to allow a deep refresh
- Once all material is stripped out, depending on how your stalls are constructed consider how you might take this clean-out a step further
- Hose it out or use a power-washer, don’t be afraid to use an appropriate disinfectant and scrub brush
- Don’t forget the ceiling, walls and windows
- Let it air dry
- Repair or Replace anything that has been damaged or broken
- Great opportunity while the stall is clean and dry to paint or stain if that is something that has been on your list to do
- After completely dry and done making adjustments/alterations in the stall, consider applying a drying agent to the floor before topping off with fresh bedding to help absorb future ammonia and wetness (PDZ Powder, PDZ Granules, Stall Dry)
Tidy up Bedding and Hay Storage Areas
- Best time to do this is during the transition of using up the old and before the new is brought in. When you go to strip the area out, you may want to consider using a mask to cover your nose and mouth to reduce the amount of dust and mold spores you breath in
- Once everything is out, follow similar suit as was done in the stalls
- Strip it out
- Hose it down or power-wash
- Scrub & Disinfect (Don’t forget the ceiling, walls and windows)
- Let air dry
- Repair or Replace anything that has been damaged or broken
- Followed by painting or staining while clean and dry if either has been on your to-do list
- Before bringing product back into the space, evaluate if there is anything more you can do to increase organization or function of the area
Tack Room/Wash Stall
- If possible, remove EVERYTHING OUT of your tack room/wash stall. Deep clean the area with the same as above…
- Strip it out. Hose it down or power-wash. Scrub & Disinfect. (Don’t forget the ceilings, walls and windows).
- Let air dry
- Repair or Replace anything that has been damaged or broken
- Followed by painting or staining while clean and dry if either has been on your to-do list
- Before bringing anything back into the tack room/wash stall…
- Deep clean those items
- Thoroughly evaluate each item
- Throw out anything expired or broken beyond repair
- Start a give-away box or pile for items that you no longer use or need
- Consider your organization
- Do you like your current set up?
- Is there anything you can do or tweak to make it more organized or more efficient?
Tack
- Get out the screw drivers, leather cleaner/conditioner, silver polish, rags and sponges
- Take apart all your bridles and saddles and training gear
- Deep clean every part, condition the items that need conditioned before reassembling
- Clean up the daily halters and lead ropes; if nylon or cotton rope, don’t be afraid to soak them in a bucket of warm, soapy water. Rinse well and let hang dry
- Clean all the hooks and hangers and saddle racks
- Whether you send them out or hang them on a fence and wash on your own, be sure that all blankets have been washed, thoroughly dried, folded and stored
- Wash all saddle pads, leg wraps & bandages, blankets, sheets, fly gear, bell boots
- Don’t forget your boots!
Grooming Boxes/Travel Boxes (Show, Emergency & Race)
- Take everything out of your boxes
- Pitch anything expired or damaged beyond repair
- Wipe all the product bottles down to remove dust, debris and product build up
- Soak all brushes, combs, curries, mits, hoof picks, sweat scrapers, etc. in warm soapy water, scrub to release caked on debris, rinse well and soak in disinfectant or Listerine before rinsing and allowing to air dry
Feed Storage Areas/Bins/Carts
- Take everything out of your feed storage area, feed bins and carts. This is easiest to do when you are low on feed but before your new product is brought in
- Pitch anything expired or damaged beyond repair
- Thoroughly scrub and disinfect all feed storage containers
- Don’t forget your feed scoops
- Be sure to allow all containers and bins to dry completely before adding feed to avoid mold development
- Is there anything more you can do to enhance your organization or make more efficient?
Feed Tubs, Buckets/Bags, Troughs, Hay Feeders
- While most horse care takers make a point to keep feed and water receptacles at least spot cleaned these areas can always benefit from a thorough deep cleaning
- Soak in hot, soapy water and scrub clean (Be sure to only use soaps that are
approved for feed and water equipment only like Dawn Dish Soap) - Use an appropriate disinfectant
- Always rinse thoroughly
- Clean up the area surrounding the feed and water receptacles
- Rake up/sweep up loose hay and feed material
Barn Tools & Equipment
- Giving your tools and equipment proper care can extend their life and make for a cleaner and more organized environment
- Repair and replace broken or damaged items. Soak appropriate items in soapy hot water and use a scrub brush to removed build up and grime
- Rakes
- Brooms
- Shovels/Pitchforks/DuraForks
- Muck Buckets
- Wheelbarrows
- Fans
- Hoses/Spray Nozzles
- Does your mechanical equipment need cleaning or service?
- Trucks
- Tractors & Implements
- Golf Cart/ATV/UTV
- Generator
Barn Exterior/Outdoor Overhangs/Covers/Shelters
- Don’t forget the outside of your barn
- Repair or Replace anything that has been broken or damaged
- How’s the roof?
- How are the gutters and downspouts?
- How are the exterior walls?
- How is the ground/footing surrounding the area?
- Clean up, rake up, sweep up the surrounding area
- Hose off or power-wash the exterior walls and surrounding ground, as necessary
- Use appropriate cleaners and/or disinfectants to scrub clean any areas that need further attention
- Once dried, paint or touch up paint if this has been a task on your to-do list
Final Touches
- Replace dead lightbulbs
- Put out fresh insect traps or fly strips
- Set up fans or cooling systems in preparation for the warmer temperatures
- Refill/Restock anything that was dwindled down for the spring clean
- Hay
- Bedding
- Free Choice Hay Feeders
- Feed & Supplements
- Add a few appropriate hanging plants or decoration
- Make sure all stall signs, feeding instructions, information boards and emergency contact lists are updated
Download and print a handy checklist for spring cleaning tasks HERE. By spending time now getting your barn clean and in order, you and your horses will be able to spend more time enjoying the beautiful spring weather in the sunshine!
