Stable Cleaners & Disinfectants

Summertime: Dig Out the Stable Disinfectant

It's important to keep your horse's stable and yard clean all year round, but even more so throughout the summer period when warm temperatures and sometimes moist conditions provide a breeding ground for bacteria. If your horse is stabled at this time of year, then cleaning their living quarters is essential for safeguarding their health and wellbeing.

Whilst you probably already have a routine in place for cleaning your stables and yard, it could be a good idea to revise and alter this for the summer season. You'll need to clean particular areas more often in order to prevent the build up of harmful bacteria. There are some key areas that you'll need to pay attention to when cleaning the stables and yard.

• Stable floors, walls and bedding. It's important to remove any soiled bedding and horse droppings frequently. If your horse is stabled all day then you may need to do this in the morning and evening. Replace this with fresh bedding and remove any food that your horse hasn't eaten. Every once in a while it's good to give the stable a thorough clean with a good stable disinfectant. Summer is a good time for a deep clean, especially if you have rubber matting which can get grubby underneath. This will kill any bacteria and banish bad smells, providing your beloved horse with a clean and hygienic abode.

• Feed rooms/feeding equipment. If you feed your horse hard feed over the summer, then it's vital that it's stored in a dry, clean and cool place. If you keep it in a plastic bin, then it may start to sweat in the heat. This provides the perfect environment for bacteria and mould to develop. Feeding equipment such as buckets, scoops and feed bins should be cleaned regularly. If you notice signs of mould or the feed doesn't smell as it should, then it's a good idea to dispose of it.

• Tack room/riding equipment Grooming tools, as well as numnahs and boots, should be washed regularly as your horse will sweat more during the summer, leaving dried-on sweat and dirt. This can lead to sores forming on your horse's skin. I've been there with my own horse and it's certainly not pleasant for them. Equipment made from textiles can be fairly easy to clean. Try and remove as much hair and muck as possible from the items, then put them in the washing machine or send them off to be cleaned if you prefer.

Purchase Stable Disinfectant and Other Cleaning Products

As well as purchasing a good stable disinfectant, there are a number of other cleaning products that are handy to keep in your cupboard over summer. These include a spray disinfectant; washing up liquid or mild shampoo (great for cleaning feeding equipment and brushes); fly traps; and stable buckets and brushes for cleaning.

It's important to clean stable and yard areas thoroughly during the summer season in order to protect your horse's health and wellbeing. As long as you keep on top of cleaning tasks on a daily basis, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fun time with your horse whilst the warmer weather is upon us.

Green Gloop is available from Equi Supermarket along with all the equipment you need to maintain a clean stable. You will discover muck forks, wheelbarrows and a fine range of bedding at the lowest prices. Your horse’s stall will be the envy of the stables!