If you have horses, you should know that their health is related not only to the food and care you give them, but also to the hygiene of the environment where they live.
That is why it is necessary to know and follow a routine of cleaning and disinfection of the facilities where we have our horses, to avoid health problems. In addition, proper care will allow us to enjoy equestrian practice to the full. Below, we will give you all the details.
Importance of disinfection and cleaning of stables
Horses are very susceptible to microbes and parasites, so superficial cleaning is not enough to keep them in good condition.
A stall full of dirt seriously compromises the welfare of our horse: it favours the appearance of pathologies such as ringworm or mange; in the case of wounds, these will take a long time to heal, with the risk of becoming infected; and hooves suffer a process of deterioration if they are in contact with manure and urine for a long period of time.
In short, a good horse keeper, and any animal for that matter, must take responsibility for providing a hygienic environment so as not to affect their quality of life. Let’s look at how we can look after equestrian facilities properly.
Stable maintenance
One of the biggest problems when it comes to keeping a stable clean are the excrements, because when they decompose, they give off ammonia. The latter causes a strong odour that can cause respiratory diseases in our horses.
This situation can be controlled by regularly cleaning up excrement and urine and by laying down straw.
Stable disinfection
In order to eradicate the proliferation of germs, we have to disinfect aisles and boxes. It is important to make it clear that disinfection with soap and water is insufficient in this case, so we must use a strong disinfectant made for stables, with the ability to kill the parasites hidden in the gaps.
This type of disinfectant must be diluted in water and to use it, we will use a sprayer to disinfect the walls and a broom or brush to take care of the floor.
We must make sure that the broom/brush we choose is of good quality, as it is necessary that it reaches into the gaps, so that no pathogens can escape. When you have finished, let everything dry and then you can introduce the straw and then the equines.
Hygiene in the barn
First of all, we cannot use the stable cleaning product in this area, as it should not come into contact with the grain, which is the basis of our equine’s feed. This is why we should look for an insecticide that is not toxic, but that will help us to keep the barn free of mites and insects.
Extra tips
There are some very simple tips to avoid pest infections:
1- Regularly clean the ditches and ducts with water.
2- Personalise the articles used for each horse in order to prevent contagion and ventilate the facilities.
If you know of any other advice or have any questions, please contact us.
