• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Tips For Riders

    21 Things You Definitely Don't Want In Your Horse Barn

    Published: Mar 31, 2020 · Modified: Jun 30, 2020 by Amber King · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Your horse barn is your happy place. It's where you go to spend time with your best friend and escape from the daily stress of life. Sure, it can be dirty, and your visits usually involve some kind of work, but it's a place where you can follow your passion.

    As much as you love spending time with your horse, it's all too easy to let routine barn maintenance slide. We tend to collect unnecessary tools, hoard worn-out objects, and even purchase supplies we don't really need. It's time to take a good look at your barn and make sure you don't have any of these unnecessary and even dangerous things. 

    horse barn

    1. Uncovered Concrete Floor in Stalls

    Concrete floors are easy to clean, but they're too hard for your horse's hooves. If your barn has concrete flooring in the stalls, it's best to invest in durable livestock mats to protect your horse's hoof health.

    2. Worn-out Flooring

    Speaking of flooring, you should pay attention to what you're walking on. Old floors can be dangerous for both you and your horses. Make sure your barn floor doesn't have splinters or old nails sticking out of it. If the floor is eroded or seriously worn-out, it's time to think about replacing it.

    3. Burnt-out Light Bulbs

    Keeping a horse barn well lit can be a challenge, but it's important. You might be able to forget about burnt-out light bulbs when natural sunshine lights your way, but you need to be prepared for emergencies. The last thing you want is to be fumbling around in the dark because you've neglected to change a few light bulbs.

    4. Overloaded Power strips

    Electrical outlets can be few and far between in a lot of horse barns. Power strips can be the solution to that problem, but they can also be a safety hazard. Never overload a power strip.

    5. Broken Electrical Cords

    While you're passing judgement on your power strip, take a look at your electrical cords. Cords can become worn-out quickly when they're being used in a horse barn. If a cord has exposed wires, it's time to throw it out.

    6. Ripped Fly Masks

    Fly masks don't last forever. They're bound to rip, and when they do, there's usually no saving them. You might be able to mend a small tear, but it's usually not worth it. If you have a stash of ripped fly masks taking up room in your barn, pull the trigger and just throw them out.

    7. Expired Medications

    It's okay to keep medications for short amounts of time, but pay attention to expiration dates. You don't want to risk your horse's health by administering expired medications. Clean out your medications on a regular basis so you always know what you have on hand.

    8. Open Feed Containers

    Open feed containers do nothing but let feed go stale, invite rodents to a free buffet, and waste your money. Invest in durable (preferably metal) closed-lid feed containers and repurpose those other bins for something else.

    9. Dirty Brushes

    Grooming your horse with dirty equipment is counterproductive. It can spread skin problems from horse to horse and prevent your horse from looking its best. It's good practice to clean grooming supplies at least once a week.

    10. Toxic Rodent Bait or Pesticides

    Mice, rats, fleas, flies, and other pests are a constant struggle for every horse barn. There are steps you can take to keep them at bay, but never resort to toxic baits or pesticides. Certain chemical products are harmful to horses and to other animals, including dogs and barn cats. Look for animal-safe ways to deal with pests.

    11. Manure Piles

    If you're a horse owner, you know manure is a part of life. Leaving piles of the stinky stuff in your horse barn, however, is not a good idea. Not only does it smell, it attracts flies. Establish a nearby dumping area where you can take your manure. Never leave it piled up in corners or in wheelbarrows. 

    12. Saddles Stored on Their Sides 

    Saddles are expensive, and you'll do yourself a favor by taking care of them. Storing a saddle on its side will cause it to stretch and change shape. That, in turn, will be bad for your horse's back. Invest in a saddle stand to protect your horse and your bank account.

    horse barn

    13. Worn-out Bell Boots

    Once your bell boots start to wear out, it's best to toss them. Keeping them around and continuing to use them could end up hurting your horse.

    15. Moldy Hay

    Moldy hay can cause a long list of health emergencies in horses. As painful as it is to throw out entire bales of hay, keeping it around isn't worth the risk. 

    14. High Hay Stacks

    Buying hay in bulk is a great way to save money, but think about storage space before you go too crazy. When stacking hay bales, you don't want them to get too high. Not only will this make it harder to get them down, it could also lead to a dangerous situation.

    horse barn

    16. Broken Rakes, Shovels, and Pitchforks

    Don't let your horse barn turn into the land of misfit tools. Sure, you might be able to replace a splintered rake handle, but are you really going to? Don't let broken equipment sit in your barn and take up space. If it's been broken for a few weeks, and you haven't taken steps to fix it, get rid of it. 

    17. Splintered Wood

    Splinters easily get infected, and they can happen to both horses and humans. While you're going through your regular chores, take notice of any areas with splintered wood. It could be the floor, wall, or gate. If you notice any rough areas, either replace the wood or sand it down. 

    18. Torn Blankets

    Unfortunately, blankets aren't indestructible. They get caught on fence posts, worn down by time, and every now and then, an ornery horse will put one between its teeth. If you have a pile of old, useless blankets heaped in the corner of your barn, make the move to get rid of them. Your barn will be cleaner and less cluttered without them.

    horse barn

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    19. Broken Tack

    While you're getting rid of torn blankets, take inventory of your tack. All horse owners seem to have a habit of hoarding old, useless tack. Broken bridles, stirrups, and bits are not worth keeping around. Clear up space and organize your barn by getting rid of that stuff.

    20. Piles of Twine

    No one needs a mountain of recycled twine. Keep a few strands for random uses, but don't let it litter the floor or take up too much space. 

    21. Trash

    Make sure you have a secure trash bin in your horse barn. Without one, it's easy to let things like snack wrappers, old bandages, and random scraps of paper accumulate on surfaces and in corners. You'll be much more efficient if you work in a clean, well-organized environment. 

    More Tips For Riders

    • Barrel Racing For Beginners: The Basics
    • 9 Ways To Incorporate Horses Into Your Wedding
    • Four Important Ways Horses Positively Impact Our Mental Health
    • How to Estimate Your Horse’s Weight

    Sharing is caring!

    6.9K shares
    • Share6.5K
    • Tweet

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See
    • 17 Inspirational TikTok Horse Accounts To Lift Your Spirits

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    6.9K shares
    • 6.5K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy