Yard Care for Horses: Knowing What To Do

The yard is the place where it all happens for horses in terms of feeding, grooming, tacking up, bathing and mucking out are all commonplace making it one busy place to be. All horse yards are different and used in different ways but there are important key factors that all yards should try to remember. Safety and efficiency should be paramount on any yard for horses, riders and visitors. There are many simple safety procedures that can be put in place that will help to achieve this.

-Suitable fencing

-Organised feeding preferably by the same person each day

-Set riding times - if there are lots of people wanting to ride at the same time the arena or yard can become over busy creating loud, potentially dangerous situations.

-Turnout times and companions should be organised if on large yards

-Stables, fittings and buildings should be safe and free from deteriation

-Bins for string

-Muck pile maintenance

-Sweeping – to keep surfaces free from dust, ice, water, reducing other potential hazards.

-Electrics, fire hazards and entry and exit in and out of the yard should all be monitored constantly.

-Procedures should be in place that all are aware of, so in the event of a fire they can be put into action.

There are so many other small procedures that can be implemented on yards that will help with the smooth daily running of the yard but these are particularly important

There are tools and other products that can be found that will assist you in giving your horse the safest of environments you could wish for, especially if you are partaking in events, competitions or horse races. With tools for any stable bedding, brooms for keeping the yard tidy and manure collectors you can keep the yard tidy easily.

It is important to remember that stabling a horse goes against their natural instincts. You should do all you can to ensure that their stable is a place that the horse feels safe, happy and secure this will also help to nip in the bud any behavioural problems that may occur. It should not have and dangerous or loose fittings that they could catch themselves on. Feed mangers and hay racks are useful ways of providing the horse with what they need without the possibility of getting their legs stuck through handles of buckets. Stable doors should be secure and top doors held back with a hook to prevent it from swinging and hitting the horse. All locks and latches should be correctly fitted and kept in good condition providing a secure environment. Use your common sense, if it looks even slightly dangerous, rectify it. The likelihood is that your horse would clumsily injure themselves and you could have prevented it, which wont be good for anyones morale.

There are also many items to keep stabled horses entertained and have proved very popular among horse owners. The Jolly ball or other balls in this range will provide the horse with entertainment and treats helping to keep them out of trouble.

Tammy is a avid horse rider who wishes to advertise the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for Anything Equine online who specialise in equine tack as well as Equestrian Taurus Footwear products in the UK.