Stable Management Tips for Winter
We understand that keeping your horse stabled is a significant commitment. The facilities safety measures and work involved are all factors to consider. However, your horses health and welfare are paramount.
Follow our tips for Winter Stable Management –
Bedding:
Deciding your bedding is completely personal to you and your horse’s preference. However it is essential that it is good quality, non-toxic and does not irritate your horse’s skin or cause issues with breathing. In contrast to earlier times where choices were limited being either straw or shavings. There is now a wide selection of wood, paper and plant-based options. These new types of bedding offer sustainable or scented options.
Straw: The inexpensive option, sometimes provided within the livery charge. This is a great option if you are looking for a cost-effective method to bedding. However, straw is not very absorbent and if wet can start to smell. If straw has been stored poorly it can be dusty and mouldy; this can be dangerous to your horse’s respiratory system. If you have a horse with respiratory issues this may not be the bedding for you.
Shavings: Probably the most used and popular type of horse bedding. This is because it is widely available and wrapped bales are easy to store. One disadvantage with wood shavings is that this bedding requires constant removal of droppings and once wet needs to be removed due to a build-up of ammonia.
Wood pellets: Great new type of bedding alternative, wood pellets are twice as absorbent as wood shavings. These are easy to store and can be mixed in with other types of bedding if needed for absorbency properties. Most wood pellet bedding is eco-friendly and dust-free making it a great bedding solution. One issue with pellet bedding is that it does require water to break up the pellets into the soft bedding form which takes time.
Rubber Matting: Rubber matting provides a non-slip base. This is relatively easy to muck out and can be washed down if sealed. This acts as a great base and a further bed can be made on top of this if needed. One weakness of rubber matting is its weight and difficulty with installation. Most matts are around 20kg making handling and positioning them difficult. Proper installation is crucial to avoid uneven surfaces or gaps where urine and moisture can accumulate.
Mucking Out:
Mucking out refers to the process of cleaning stables and shelters. Removing soiled bedding, manure and other waste to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for animals. Mucking out is great for ongoing health and welfare of the horse.
Some owners may decide to full muck out, part muck out and deep litter their stable. Each has their own advantages such as time, cost and health reasons.
Full muck out: This type of muck out does take the longest however it is the best for the horses health. This is where all wet and manure is removed daily, creating a fresh and clean environment.
Part muck out: This is where all droppings are removed daily and a full muck out during the weekends to remove wet. This is great for when time is limited, this type of muck out may not work if you have a wet or very messy horse/pony. During the week you will need to add extra bedding.
Deep litter: Sometimes the preferred option if you have a large amount of horses or a shelter which is only periodically used. This is where the droppings are removed and fresh bedding is added to cover wet areas. A full stable muck out along with deep clean periodically depending on amount of use. Owners and horses that use this system will be exposed to higher levels of ammonia than horses that are mucked out daily. Highly ventilated spaces are needed for this method of mucking out.
Water Supply:
Water supply of water is essential during the winter to help prevent dehydration and colic. Horses can drink up to 3-4 water buckets per day! Whether you have water buckets or automatic drinkers, your horse should have access to fresh water 24/7. During the winter pipes can freeze therefore a back up water source is needed, this can be a storage tank kept in a warm spot in the back of a tack room or storage facility.
Forage:
Providing your horse with unlimited forage is ideal but this may not be appropriate for horses if they have restricted intake helping weight loss. Hay or haylege should be supplied at all times when grass is limited or turnout restricted. When the horse is chewing, digesting and breaking down the fibre, it is providing the horse with warmth crucial for the winter months.
Sometimes a forage diet may not be enough for some high activity or elderly horses, therefore a hard feed balancer with added vitamin/mineral supplement may be needed.
Stable Management Tips for Winter – Stabling over winter can be a practical and necessary choice for many horses, however it requires commitment to providing the best care possible for your four legged friend. Monitoring, facilities management and attention to your horse’s physical and psychological well being are essential to ensure their health and wellbeing are maintained to the highest standards.
Advice taken from the BHS British Horse Society.