What does the arrival of autumn mean for you? Some relief from hot weather and the chance to break out cosy sweaters again? Maybe it’s pumpkin spiced drinks and snacks that mark the change of the season? If you’re a horse owner, the chances are it means that you’re thinking about stable management routines to help you and your horse cope with wetter, colder and windy weather!
You might have spotted our blog way back in the spring that was all about adapting your routine for the warmer months. And boy did that turn out to be very relevant advice for the summer we’ve just had! Heatwave after heatwave meant horse owners all over the UK were working extra hard to keep their horses comfortable.
But we’ve finally had some much-needed rain, the evenings are drawing in at an alarming pace, and the mornings are getting cooler by the day. That’s why for this month’s blog we’re sharing our top tips for an autumn stable reset, so that you’re ready for dark mornings, rainy weekends and subzero nights. Brr! Let’s take a look…
Dark evenings and mornings looming? Check your lights
It’s surprising how quickly the light disappears at this time of year. One minute you’re finishing evening jobs in daylight, and the next you’re hunting for rugs and filling hay nets in the dark!
Before winter really sets in, take a few minutes to check the lighting in your stables, barn, feed room and tack room. Replace any bulbs that are on their way out and make sure outside lights are working too, particularly around gateways, paths and muck heaps. Your future self will thank you on those dark January mornings…
Rain on the way? Look up!
After a dry summer, roofs, gutters and drains might not have had much of a workout, so now is a good time to give them a once-over. Check stable and barn roofs for any obvious damage or leaks, clear leaves and debris from guttering and make sure drains are running freely.
A little maintenance now could save you from discovering a problem during the first really wet and miserable weather of autumn.
Give your stables a proper reset
If your horse has spent plenty of time turned out over the summer, autumn is a great opportunity to give their stable a thorough clean before they start spending longer periods indoors.
Dig out the bed completely and disinfect the floors, then wait for it to dry completely before adding new bedding. That way, you can make sure there isn’t any damp or mould sitting under banks or next to the floor.
Choosing an absorbent bedding will help manage moisture as horses spend more time stabled, while a properly dust-extracted option can help you keep the stable environment as clean and comfortable as possible. Our shavings are kiln dried and dust extracted, creating a soft, super-absorbent bed ready for the months ahead.
Keep things fresh
As the temperature drops, it can be tempting to close doors and windows to keep stables feeling cosy. But ventilation remains just as important throughout autumn and winter, arguably even more so when horses are spending longer periods indoors.
Check that vents and airways haven’t become blocked with dust, cobwebs or stored equipment, and think about airflow when you’re stacking hay, bedding or other supplies around the yard.
Don’t fear the frosty days
Frozen pipes are a yard problem that nobody wants to deal with at 6:30am when you’re trying to get to work!
Autumn is a good time to check that exposed water pipes are properly lagged and protected before the first hard frost arrives. While you’re at it, take a look at outside taps, troughs, and make a plan for keeping water flowing when temperatures drop below freezing.
Get grippy
Slippery concrete, frozen puddles and icy paths can make winter mornings tricky for horses and humans alike. Stock up on salt or grit now, rather than waiting until the forecast suddenly shows a string of minus temperatures.
When the ice arrives, pay extra attention to high-traffic areas such as entrances, gateways, paths to turnout and the route to the muck heap.
Scrub feeders and drinkers
While you’re in cleaning mode, give feed buckets, mangers and drinkers some attention too. Automatic drinkers can quickly collect dust, bedding and grime, while buckets and mangers benefit from a proper scrub before the cold and dark arrive.
Check that automatic waterers are working correctly and that any fittings are secure, and you’ll head into autumn knowing everything is clean and ready for the season ahead.
