Creating an organized barn can take weeks, but once everything is in its proper place, the maintenance required to keep it organized will be far less daunting. To organize a horse stable, it is important to make a thorough list of the things that need done and to revise the list as the organizational process begins to take shape.
Purchase Supplies
There are several supplies needed to maintain an organized barn, so it is a good idea to purchase them from the beginning. Some of them will need replacements every so often, so keep a record of how much of each product is needed and the schedule on which replacements should be purchased for barn organization. A few items necessary to organize a horse stable are:
- Broom
- Dust pan
- Mop
- Garden hose (extended)
- Ladder
- Dry erase board(s)
- Phone message pads
- Buckets
Depending on the size of the barn and the number of horses housed within, more supplies might be necessary. However, barn owners can add or subtract items as they start the organization process.
Create Feeding/Turn-Out Schedules
An organized barn is one that runs like clockwork, following a set schedule. Turn-out and feeding schedules can keep horses and humans from getting confused. Using one or two dry-erase boards (depending on the number of animals), list each horse's name along the left-hand side. Across the top, list the days of the week with lines in between each day running the length of the board.
On the feeding board, write the type and amount of feed for each horse under the day of the week. Include any supplements, such as nutritional additives or medication, underneath the feeding notation. This is the easiest way to organize a horse stable so that anyone can feed the horses if the owner is not present.
The turn-out board should list the times each horse is turned out during the week as well as the pasture or paddock in which the horse is placed.
Label the Tack Room
The next step to an organized barn is to sort the tack room. Each boarder (in the case of a horse business) or member of the family should have sufficient saddle and bridle racks to hold his equipment. His name should be included on a piece of duct tape or on a plaque above the racks so everyone's equipment is easily identified.
Once everything is neatly labeled, the tack room should be swept at least once a day. Mud, dirt and dust are tracked in on dirty boots, so it is important to keep everything clean. This will also protect the expensive equipment from soil.
Implement Stall Storage
Unless riders keep all of their equipment in the tack room, which is rare, some form of stall storage is required for an organized barn. Blanket racks, halter hooks, tack boxes and grooming kits are all often kept near the stall.
When it comes time to organize a horse stable, make sure each stall is properly labeled with the horse's name as well as the owner's, as well as any additional information (such as the name and contact information of the vet, farrier and other professionals).
Create Office Space
Horse business owners and even private stable owners need a place to handle administrative duties. A barn office equipped with computer, fax machine, telephone, paper, contact information and other implements is necessary. For an organized barn, make sure the office is swept or mopped and kept orderly.
Keep a pad of paper for phone messages, as phone calls are often missed when riders are out with their horses. Add a calendar to keep track of important events, like vet visits and horse shows, then decorate with paintings, pictures, knick-knacks and anything else riders might enjoy.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
Join the Conversation