Keeping your horse barn clean and clutter-free isn’t just about appearances—it’s about safety, efficiency, and your horse’s well-being. From expired supplies to unnecessary junk, here’s what not to store in a horse barn.
1. Torn and broken blankets
Get those fixed or toss ’em! They’re collecting dust and cluttering up that corner of your barn. Pro Tip: Clean your tattered blankets up and donate them to the local animal shelter for warmth for the animals in winter!
2. Expired medicines
Time to clean out that barn fridge or medicine cabinet. Don’t expose your horse to last year’s vaccines or yellowing Banamine.
3. Half-used Vetrap
If it’s been aging in your barn for more than a few weeks, it’s probably lost its elasticity and is far from sterile for being close to wounds.
4. Dirty saddle pads
If your saddle pad looks like another horse is growing on the underside, it’s time to deep clean it. Do your horse a favor and keep your saddle pad clean to protect his skin.
5. Open horse feed
Open feed containers are an all-you-can-eat buffet for little critters. Store feed in a closed container in your barn to keep rodents out.
6. Manure-filled wheelbarrow
Dump the wheelbarrow every single time you use it. Manure attracts flies. Having a clean wheelbarrow in your barn will guard your horse against flies.
7. Moldy hay
You don’t like to eat moldy food—neither does your horse. Throw out moldy hay, and store hay in a dry area.
8. Broken thermometer
Check your digital thermometer to ensure it is working. If not, throw it out and buy a new one. You don’t want to be in an emergency and have a broken thermometer.
9. Filthy water troughs
When your water trough looks like a pond, it needs to be scrubbed and cleaned. Your horse will appreciate fresh water. As the temperatures cool off, also make sure your horse’s water isn’t frozen!
10. Unlatched stalls
Double-check that you latched the stall doors before you leave the barn. You don’t want your horse making his way into the feed room in the middle of the night.
11. Ripped fly masks
Throw these out! Torn fly masks serve zero purpose and are only taking up space in your barn.
12. Broken electrical cords
This hazard should be nowhere near your barn. If the external insulation of the cord is broken and the internal electric cords are showing, it needs to be replaced immediately. Pro Tip: Run cords away from where horses step or can chew on them.
13. Sandals
Proper attire should be worn at the barn at all times. Sandals are for the beach—not the barn.
14. Coggins papers from 10 years ago
Clean up the clutter by throwing out old Coggins papers. It’s understandable to want to keep health records, but your horse’s Coggins should be renewed every year. So go ahead—throw out Blackie’s Coggins from 2009.
15. Worn-out splint and bell boots
These can do more harm than good if put on a horse. A tattered boot has caused more than a few wrecks in the arena.
16. Twine
Pick. Up. The. Twine. If you want to store it for emergencies, we promise you don’t need five bundles worth—a little stash will do. Find somewhere to recycle it!
17. Broken spray bottles
No, you might not use it someday for something. These recycle easily and don’t need to clutter up the barn.
18. Old ointments
There’s something to be said for that trusty wound dressing you’ve had around for years, but make sure it’s not expired or contaminated. If so, toss it. It will do more harm than good on an injury.
19. Empty barn cat food cans
It’s easy for these to fall off shelves or behind bales of hay and collect dust to infinity and beyond. They also recycle easily, so do some easy cleanup before the barn goes to the dogs!
20. Stress
The barn is a happy place, so there is no room for stress. Leave your worries at the door—your horse is here to help take your troubles away.
Related Reading:
- Timesavers: Ways to Make Barn Chores More Efficient
- What Does a Daily Horse Care Routine Look Like?
- 5 Things That Are Toxic to Horses
This article originally ran on Horse&Rider.
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