Spring cleaning: preparing your stable for summer
We won't hide it, in winter, motivation is less present. Doing basic care and cleaning the boxes while dressed in snowmobile gear is enough! Cleaning is not a top priority. On the other hand, the good weather has (finally!!) arrived! It’s synonymous with motivation, and therefore, spring cleaning!We give you our tips and tricks for having a clean and well-organized stable as well as our essentials!
Start the major cleaning of your horse's box/enclosure
During the winter, dirt has certainly accumulated in your horse's stall or enclosure. Our first thing is obviously to clean up the droppings and the numerous cobwebs.
So, equip yourself with a broom, a pitchfork and a wheelbarrow and make the unwanted people disappear!
You can also bring bleach (diluted with water) to wash the walls and floors of your stable!
- Cleaning up droppings
- Remove the many cobwebs
- Equip yourself with a sturdy broom, a pitchfork and a wheelbarrow.
- Get a bucket of water (or a spray bottle) to clean the floors and walls.
Make sure you have the right grooming equipment
Is there an astronomical amount of dust in the bottom of your brush bag? Are you adding dirt to your horse's back instead of removing it? It's high time to wash it all!
For all rubber brushes as well as brushes with a plastic handle, you can simply soak them in a bucket of soapy water. (Do not do this with your brushes that have a wooden handle.) You can then rinse them with clean water.
Some will stop the process at this stage, but wait, it's not over!
Afterwards, we (strongly) suggest that you disinfect your brushes thoroughly. How? With a simple solution of water and vinegar (500ml of vinegar for 3L of water). Leave to soak for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Lately, drying! This step is very important because moisture in a poorly dried brush could cause mold! So, you can wipe all of your brushes with a dry cloth and/or let them dry outside in the sun (check the weather before starting so you don't get caught out!).
Of course, in the event that your brushes are in poor condition, nothing stops you from going to chambriere.ca and placing an order for new brushes!
Clean your carpets properly
Next step, cleaning your carpets! For the majority of classic rugs as well as western rug pads, these can easily be cleaned in the washing machine. Here too, a good brushing before putting them in the washing machine is important.
For western rugs, cleaning can be more difficult.
To remove the hair that has become embedded in the carpet during the winter, you can use any metal comb. Pass it all over the carpet, making sure not to go too hard, and therefore break your carpet. You will see, the hairs are removed quite easily! Repeat this process until your carpet looks like new again! Remember, delicacy is essential!
Maintaining your leather equipment
A very important step: cleaning your leather equipment! The one and only way to keep your leather equipment longer is to take care of it. How? It's quite simple:
First, you'll need a good leather soap. Using a damp sponge, simply spread the soap all over your leather. Liquid soap won't require a lot of water, but bar soap will require a little more! Don't forget the underside (of your saddle for example) and the small cracks and/or encrusted patterns! When it comes to leather halters and bridles, it is very important to dismantle them! When your leather is completely coated with soap, wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess with a clean towel.
Second, you will need a pot of leather grease or oil. Which one to choose? This is really a matter of preference. Grease will leave a small, slightly sticky layer on the leather, which some people like less. The important thing is really to moisturize your leather well, regardless of the product used.
Again using a sponge or cloth, make sure there is product everywhere, wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess.
Get ready to enjoy the beautiful summer days
As mentioned earlier, a major cleaning requires necessary time before the start of summer. Follow the steps, have the right tools and equipment on hand and clean just the smallest corners of your stable. Your stable is your base camp for your next adventure, so learn to keep it tidy and you will be most proud of it.
Oh yes! One last step in this big cleanup. Now that everything is well cleaned and put away, it's time to enjoy the good weather with your companion(s)!