Monday, July 29, 2013

Horse Stall Cleaning Part Ownership And Care

By Maryanne Goff


Horses are beautiful majestic creatures that can be ridden and used in a variety of different ways. They graze on grass and eat hay, vegetables such as carrots, oats and grains. The deposits of a horse are pretty much everywhere they roam and of course where they are housed. They are usually domesticated and live on farms and ranches and are usually housed in stalls or paddocks; thus leading to horse stall cleaning which is all part of ownership and care.

The daily activity of mucking is a good indicator of the digestive health of your animal. By examining the waste and looking at the size, shape, color and consistency you can tell how the digestive system of your horse is working. It can be provide signs of a healthy animal or be a good indicator of a nervous animal. The smell can also indicate if there is something wrong especially if it is a more acrid odor than what manure general radiates.

When preforming this unpleasant yet necessary task the proper attire and tools are important. The ammonia from the urine can cause damage to the stitching on riding boots; therefore it is recommended to wear rubber boots or some sort of work boots. Wearing gloves can protect your hands from blisters and also help shield them from direct contact with feces and urine.

The main tools needed for the job are a shovel, a pitch fork, a wheel barrow, a stable broom and a shavings fork. Once the tools are assembled the stall will need to be cleared of the animal, feed tubs, water buckets, and any other items such as toys that are present. Once all the items have been cleared the task of removing all the old hay bedding, shavings and manure can begin. It is important to strip stalls at least once a week and disinfect them. This will help keep the bugs away and the foul odors away.

The flooring of the stall is going to determine the amount of bedding needed in order to make the animal comfortable. The season also plays a role in determining the quantity of bedding needed. The bedding should be spread generously enough to make sure the animal is comfortable. Once you have replenished the bedding, all the other items can be replaced and the animal can be returned.

Amazingly, this animals waste is more than just waste. It can be used as fertilizer and can also be used as a heating source. Dung creates a higher heat than most hard woods and it is environmentally friendly. Many would not think of dung being useful but it is.

In general most people consider manure to be disgusting and full of disease. This is not the case though. Horse manure is less likely to care disease and parasites making it highly unlikely for someone to catch something by coming in contact. Human feces, dog feces and cat feces are more likely to care disease and parasites making them more dangerous to come in contact with.

Horse stall cleaning may not be the most pleasant part of having or working with these majestic creatures. However, once completed the animal and anyone in close vicinity will appreciate the efforts made. It also will reduce the possibility of unwanted bugs, mold and mildew. Even though they are animals they do not like living in filth.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

 
Design by Free WordPress Themes | Bloggerized by Lasantha - Premium Blogger Themes | Best Buy Coupons