Don't be caught on the hop by a sudden cold snap - prepare your stables early and make sure they are cosy and clean for your horses.
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Protect your horse's health
It's important to maintain your horse’s health and hygiene during the winter months, as the sudden temperature drop can impact on their wellbeing. While it's still warm enough to turn your horse out for the day, a deep clean is crucial.
When your horse spends more time inside, it can lead to a greater risk of infections, such as respiratory problems and thrush. Both are worsened by high ammonia levels and failing to clean faecal matter and urine promptly.
A thorough deep-clean involves stripping the stable out completely and pulling up any rubber matting that isn't fixed down so that you can clean beneath it. Using an animal-friendly disinfectant, scrub the floors, walls and matting, making sure you get into the corners with a small brush.
If there is adequate drainage, pressure-wash the stable with disinfectant to kill off any bacteria. Allow the floor to dry fully before returning your horse to the stable.
Check for draughts
While carrying out your deep clean, it's also a good idea to check the windows for cracks or draughts to make sure the stable is safe, even in the event of a storm. Clean the windows and make sure they open and close smoothly, with a working locking mechanism.
Good ventilation is important, even in winter, so don't think the windows will be okay if you have to jam them shut, as they will have to be opened again at some point during the winter to let in the fresh air.
Once you've done your pre-winter blitz, adopt a regular cleaning routine, as well as the occasional deep clean, for the benefit of you and your horse.
Get ready for freezing weather
Protect the water pipes, putting measures in place to safeguard them against freezing in sub-zero temperatures.
Frozen pipes won't just cut off your water supply, they might also burst as the ice expands. This will lead to expensive callouts for a plumber, so protect them with lagging, heat tape and "tap cosies".
A kettle is useful in the tack room, not only for a hot drink, but to thaw out frozen pipes quickly.
Have a pest control plan
Rodents will be looking for somewhere warm and comfortable to spend the winter, so have a pest control plan in place so they don't infest your stables. Check regularly for evidence of these uninvited guests, such as rat or mouse droppings, nests, or food being nibbled.
Keep all your extra food stored safely away in sealed containers and invest in some humane rodent control methods, such as a rat cage trap, so you can capture any rodents and release them elsewhere, away from human and animal habitation.
Have a good supply of hay stored in advance, as it can be harder to come by as winter kicks in - stock up now to make sure you don't run out!
Keep bedding and equipment safe
Stock up on bedding and straw, because when bad weather hits suddenly, it's ready to use to give your horse extra warmth at a minute's notice. If you're unable to get to a store, or if delivery drivers can't reach you due to icy roads, having extra provisions in storage will make all the difference.
Make sure you have enough warm clothing yourself to see you through freezing cold days and evenings at the stables – include high-visibility garments for foggy days, to keep you warm and make sure you're seen.
Have spare buckets in case yours are damaged by freezing weather or gale-force winds. Store plenty of forage, as your horse's grazing will be significantly reduced in winter.
You will need to keep on top of the washing situation to make sure you always have a supply of clean, dry rugs. An ordinary domestic washing machine is usually too small to clean rugs, so it's handy to equip your yard with rug washing facilities. If this isn't financially viable, send them to a professional cleaner.
Make sure you have suitable storage solutions for your equipment and any clothing left at the stables, so you don't arrive to find it damp or even wet.
Most businesses offer a full service of cleaning and reproofing rugs, and mending them if necessary, but if you’re good at sewing, you can carry out repairs yourself to save money. Always keep spare rugs and old duvets ready to be brought into service if your horse needs an extra layer during a cold snap.
When you need effective storage containers for your stables, contact Solent Plastics – we’re sure to have the perfect solution!