How To Keep Your Horse Safe And Secure In The Stable

Ensuring the safety and security of your horse while they are stabled is paramount for any equestrian enthusiast. Imagine a sanctuary where your horse feels as serene and comfortable as they do in open pastures, free from the worries of injury or illness. Every detail matters in creating a safe home for your equine friend, from the careful design of the stable to meticulous daily routines.

In this blog, we provide our practical and effective tips to transform your stable into a safe and secure space. Whether you are a seasoned horse owner or a newcomer, these insights will help you provide the best care possible for your cherished horse when they are not out enjoying the fresh air.

Reasons Why A Horse Is Stabled

Whilst it is good for horses to spend plenty of time pastured, there will be times many will need to be stabled particularly during winter when the temperatures plummet at night, or the ground becomes too muddy, unsafe, and lacking in grass to graze on! Horses sometimes need to be stabled to encourage rest and recouperation during and after an illness or injury. Horses will always prefer to be outside rather than inside, but when it is necessary to keep them stabled, you will need to ensure they are safe, happy, and occupied to prevent boredom setting in and mischievous behaviour from entering the building!

Tips For Keeping A Stabled Horse Safe And Happy

Stable Design And Construction

It all begins with a stable’s design and structure. A well-designed stable minimises injuries and risks for your horse. A durable, strong, and expertly constructed building without exposed surfaces that could cause harm is essential. All surfaces should be easy to clean and disinfect. Use non-toxic paints or wood preservatives to protect your horse’s health.

Other important design considerations include:

Stable size: Ensure the stable is spacious enough for the horse to stand up, lie down, and move around comfortably. A typical stall should be at least 12×12 feet.

Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent respiratory issues. Ensure good airflow without drafts.

Lighting: Ensure the stable is well-lit to prevent accidents and allow for easy inspection of the horse.

Stable Environment

Cleanliness is a key player. Keep the stable as clean as possible by regularly removing manure and soiled bedding to help prevent any nasty diseases and unwanted pests.

Use appropriate bedding materials too like straw, shavings, or rubber mats to provide comfort and reduce the risk of injuries.

Plus, horses need to have access to clean, fresh water always. Just like humans, keeping hydrated is crucial for a healthy horse. Automatic waterers can be useful but check them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

Safety Measures

Ensure stable doors are sturdy and secure, with latches that a horse cannot easily open. Sliding or swinging doors should open smoothly and have no sharp edges.

Fire safety is obviously important to think about so. Ensure you have ample smoke detectors and fire extinguishers installed. Have an evacuation plan and ensure everyone knows it – there is no point making one if nobody onsite has seen or understood it properly.

Store tack, tools, and other equipment securely to prevent accidents and theft. Again, this comes back to having a considered stable design in the first instance and building in enough storage space for your needs.

Health And Well-Being

As we mentioned earlier, horses naturally prefer the outdoors. They enjoy grazing on pasture and socialising with other horses in their herd. Therefore, when they spend lengthy periods indoors, they can become bored and stressed easily. It is always worth scheduling in regular check-ups with your vet to monitor your horse’s health and to ensure vaccinations and deworming is kept up to date.

Just like us, exercise is a great dopamine booster for horses, so ensure your horse gets regular exercise to maintain physical and mental health. Plus, horse love social interaction. If possible, allow your horse to see and interact with other horses. Visual and, when safe, physical contact with companions can significantly reduce stress.

Nobody knows your horse’s normal behaviour like you. You will know when something is ‘off’ with your horse so, keep a close eye on them and look out for signs of illness or distress for instance, they may start chewing wood or circling their stall. There are some great toys for horses on the market to keep them entertained and engaged whilst inside, and if you do find chewing becomes a problem, read our tips on how to stop horses chewing wood.

Preventing Pests And Diseases

Unwanted visitors in the form of rodents can cause chaos and illness. Therefore, implementing measures to control rodents, such as using rodent-proof containers for feed and setting traps, is necessary.

Use fly sprays, fly masks, and other insect control methods to protect your horse from biting insects, and isolate new horses for a period to ensure they are not carrying contagious diseases before introducing them to the stable.

Emergency Preparedness

Always be prepared by keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in the stable for immediate treatment of injuries and have a list of emergency contacts, including your vet and farrier, easily accessible.

If your live in an area partial to flooding and high winds, have a safe evacuation route and procedure in place, just in case you need to act promptly.

If you are looking to construct a new stable, mobile field shelter or other timber building to keep your equines safe and protected, we have over 40 years’ experience and knowledge in the industry to offer you. Contact us at your leisure for an obligation free chat.