Horse Barn Spring Spruce Up
by Nikki Alvin-Smith

Spring is the perfect time to refresh the horse barn. If your horse property is in a cold weather region then the winter winds, snow and ice and frigid temperatures can do plenty of damage around the farm. Warmer weather is around the corner which is a blessing, but with that also comes pesky bugs and other issues. Something else to get ahead of with some Spring cleaning.
 
Start your spruce up by taking a good look around to see what needs doing most and make a list so nothing is forgotten.
A walk around the barn, the indoor arena if you have one, any storage buildings, and the property perimeter and fence lines is a good place to begin.
 
Fallen branches, mountains of snow plow made detritus may litter the ground so a quick pick up and rake up may be in order. While you are outside check the fences for broken wire, clips or boards.
 
The Spring rains will soon be here and leaves, dirt, ice buildup or melting snow may have blocked gutters, downspouts or water channels, ditches or drainpipes.  Clearing these out now will save much annoyance with flooding later. Don’t forget to check any exits to the wash stall if they run to daylight from the barn too.
 
Areas of high traffic such a gateways and entrances may benefit from a refresh of stone or gravel before mud season hits. And in the paddock the remnants of large bales of hay mixed with manure may need removal. If you are using an equine hay feeder now may be the time to move it to a new location for the Spring, hopefully an elevated spot or a location with a compacted gravel pad.
 
Paddock gates should be checked for clean operation of clips and hinges and replaced if any sharp edges are found. Horses often kick and paw gates during winter months when they are anxious to come into the barn and metal gates that are leaned upon often fracture if they are not heavy duty.
 
Water troughs can be cleaned and spruced up too and tank heaters removed. It is better to remove them after each winter season than to risk damage to the units from playful horses. Coil up all electrical extension cords and check them for damage as you do so to ensure there are no exposed wires. Driving over extensions cords with heavy equipment or shod hooves can cause harm to the important protective layer of insulation.
 
Don’t forget to look up. The barn roof should be checked for any holes or leaky spots, and any missing shingles that may have been torn off in high winds and necessary repairs done sooner rather than later. The soffits and trim should be inspected for damage and any old wasp/hornet nests be removed. Take a clear look at any cupolas or weather vanes on the building, door tracks for entrance doors and Dutch door fasteners and make sure all look secure and work properly.
 
Window screens may have taken a battering either from ice/wind or suffered an errant attack by plowing gravel from snowthrowers. Screens are easy to repair with dissolving glue on kits if the mesh is not too badly ripped.
 
If you use any CCTV or camera systems check their operation and field of view. Make sure any motion or thermal activated devices are working. Floodlights and exterior/interior barn lights should be inspected and bulbs/batteries replaced as necessary. Very cold weather can damage even the hardiest of gatepost lights/alarms or security camera fixtures. Pull sim cards from trail cameras that are not online and check them and clear them before returning them to the device. There is nothing worse than having a full card when you go to check it in the event of a security concern to find it full with waving branches, grass or useless view.
 
Inside the barn the fire extinguishers(s) should be filled and within inspection dates. Your local fire department will often help you refill units or test/inspect units for you. Any fire alarms/exit signs should also be checked and batteries/bulbs replaced as necessary.

 
Thoroughly clean all interior barn light fixtures and eradicate dust and cobwebs, clean windows and broom sweep or vacuum out feed rooms and bins. Move stuff! There are often vermin hiding/nesting behind large objects like tack trunks and feed bins and droppings may be found that signify vermin infestations are present or are brewing. It may be time for a barn cat or other means of eradication.
 
Hay storage areas can also be swept clean. Check your hay supply and make sure you are not going to be short before the next cut comes in. Now is the time to restock rather than leaving it to the very last minute and being left without any resource or limited resources that will likely be poor quality supplies.
 
The stalls have likely been well-used over the cold winter months and floor mats may have shifted, dirt floors may have been eroded and stall wall surfaces are probably decorated with horse manure.
 
Before the summer arrives and with it the pesky flying insects it is a good idea to power wash or deep clean the stalls and sanitize them with an animal safe but effective disinfectant. Hopefully the walls have been sealed so manure stains will be simple to remove without breaking out the scrubbing brush. But if a brush is needed over extensive areas try using a drill with a brush attachment. Mats should be reseated if necessary, any drain grills cleared of hay seeds/bedding/manure.

 
Stall doors should be adjusted or repaired to ensure smooth and safe operation. Sometimes dirt floors may have heaved during cold weather spells and it may be necessary to dig out travel lines beneath the door and in the case of entry door footers, dig them up and reset them. Large sliding doors may need rebalancing to level.
 
Check all water lines especially those to automatic water feeders and in the tack room/bathroom and make sure there are no leaks.
 
Everything spruced up and tidy?  Any repainting, resealing or re-staining needed on doors, walls or trim?
 
Now to the fun stuff. The decorating touches. It’s time to head out to the local nursery and buy some non-toxic/horse safe plants to fill those containers and dress up the entrance ways.
 
All done? Then it’s time water/harrow the arena and do what we all love to do best. Saddle up!

This article is provided courtesy of Horizon Structures LLC.