Equestrian Life April 2018 Issue

horse health
Top Tips for a
Healthy Stable
Environment
this Spring!
CLOCKWISE FROM
LEFT : Think about
the whole enviroment;
Improving
the environment
and make sure all
rugs are washed
and clean
In this issue David Jeffrey’s of Stable
Shield, The Leaders in Equine Biosecurity
offers advice and tips on keeping your
stable a bacteria-free zone.
It is crucial that horses are kept in a clean
environment as it assists with their
respiratory system and overall wellbeing.
Therefore it is extremely important to
take every possible precaution against the
spread of bugs and bacteria.
Here are a few top tips to ensure your stable
provides the best environment it can for your
horse:
Your stable is a good place to start and a
thorough clean is a great way to provide a
hygienic environment which is healthier for
your horse.
Clean stables thoroughly on a regular basis.
Remember that the more often horses are
kept in stables, the more they will need
cleaning.
Start by lifting and removing any rubber
matting and thoroughly wash them using a
stiff brush, water and disinfectant. Then do
the same for the floor of the stable and also
the walls and doors.
Use a strong brush to sweep the floor. Use the
brush to knock down spider’s webs and dust
as well.
A pressure washer is ideal for lifting dirt and
grime and giving a powerful water supply to
produce a great finish. Let the floor and mats
dry and the stable air before replacing the
mats.
Add new bedding to replace any that has been
removed. If there is thick rubber matting on
the stable floor, bedding can be thinner.
Periodically, you should completely strip the
stable. You may want to put down some odour
control solution or stable disinfectant. Make
sure the floor is dry before you add the new
bedding.
Clean your horse’s water and feed buckets,
removing old food and water and scrubbing
the buckets.
Keep on top of small jobs like squeaky doors,
loose bolts and flickering lights. Simple
repairs will keep you abreast of overall
maintenance issues.
Remember to put your tools away so they
don’t create a trip hazard.
Next look at your tack room and if necessary
give it a clean and tidy up. It is a good idea to
sort out all of your rugs and send the winter
ones for washing and then bag them up to put
in storage.
Your equipment may need a good sort through
as well, so that items that will not be used
throughout the summer can be washed and
put away ready for next winter and vice versa.
Take out your lighter rugs and ensure they are
all in good working order and ready to use.
If you will be competing this summer, check
your kit and make sure you have everything
you need and all is in good condition.
If there is a list of emergency contact details,
make sure that everything is correct and alter
if necessary-if you don’t have a list, it is very
wise to make one.
Feed rooms and hay stores can always do with
a good tidy up so give them a good sweep and
remove any cobwebs. Check that all feed bins
are in good working order and regularly check
rodent traps if you have them.
If you have any plants or grass around the
yard, make sure they look smart by weeding
any beds and mowing the grass. Hanging
baskets with dead plants in should be emptied
and potted up with new ones.
For a long-term solution, use new Stable
Shield Anti-Bacterial paint on walls and
ceilings, as it helps prevent the spread of
bacteria by up to 99.8%. It is ideal for all yards
including stables, tack rooms, feed rooms,
newly built yards and hay barns.
Stable Shield Antibacterial Paint, is a waterbased
non-toxic paint that can be applied to
stables to create a fully disinfected yard. The
paint prevents the growth of bacteria on all
applied surfaces. This in turn creates a clean
environment which is crucial to help horses
with their respiratory system and overall
wellbeing.
The range includes Stable Shield BASE,Stable
Shield PLUS and Stable Shield Anti-Bacterial
Stable Paint. The active ingredients last up
to three and five years plus depending on the
environment.
For further information about Stable Shield
products contact 01386 423999 or visit
www.stableshield.co.uk
36 April 2018 Equestrian Life