A few questions for those who muck out before work

15 mins per stable, + 15 mins to lay all beds back down when they're out. And I always smell of horse, doesn't bother me.
 
I never even thought of the smell getting in my hair before.. now i want to turn up wearing a shower cap as well just to scare the woman that owns my field :D

I've managed to get it down to 40 minutes for 3 but I am incredibly un-organised so it could probably be done alot quicker if i managed to stop faffing and kissing the ponies.

In the morning i'm generally running late so i arrive, open the stable doors and let them put themselves out, if they are hanging around then they always follow the wheelbarrow of hay out to the field.
Muck out trying to fit as much in the wheelbarrow as i possibly can then regret that when bits topple off all the way to the muck heap. but i never learn and do the same thing everyday :rolleyes: Then fill up haynets while muttering to myself that i shoundn't have been so lazy and done them the night before instead of toddling off home cos i was hungry, fill up water and sweep up the bomb site that I have just created. Ohh and I just go dressed for work and either just wear wellies or tuck my trousers into my socks and tell ponies not to splash me with mud.... its probably not the best way but it does give the selotape at work a good use when i get bored and start sellotaping off the hair and hay from my coat :D
 
I don't do mine before work but no matter how much I rush I still find it takes me at least an hour and a half to do all 3 and that doesnt even include turnout. I deep litter them all too so really it should be quicker!
 
As others say - never change rugs, mine live in stable rugs with t/o over the top - in this weather they are fine.

Deep litter as much as poss during the week then a big muck out at the weekend & be very organised and have everything ready the night before, feeds, hay nets, hay on the barrow ready to go out... even down to a clean water bucket ready to pop in .. I can get three done in the morning in half an hour because I have everything ready in the evening :D
 
I have 7 to do before leaving yard at 8.25. (latest) for an hour commute. Yesterday I was running very late due to 2 new dogs at home, so only had 30 mins at yard, eek!
Fed 7 (feeds made up previous evening), took empty nets down as put feeds in.
Booted up the 3 who wear boots (all already wearing turnouts).
Filled haylage nets for box rest boy and his companion (usually already done).
Mucked out the 2 staying in & took off one of their rugs.
Turned 2 out into 1 field & 3 into another field.
Other 5 empty stables could wait for mucking out until evening!
Peel off top layer of clothing, change footwear, lock up, into car and away! (wash hands at station).
My tips - OH installed auto waterers - big time saving. But if that's not possible or liked, keep dustbin or similar by tap and leave it filling so you can just fill buckets from that.
I always used to change rugs, but now I've accumulated 7 horses they sleep in t/outs.
Prepare as much as poss the night before.
Never, ever walk anywhere empty handed!
Have door chains so you don't have to keep opening/closing doors - just duck under chain.
Am sure you'll soon get in a routine!
 
I deep litter so skip out during the week and have a big clean out at the weekend. By the time she's finished her breakfast I've finished skipping out.
I don't do hay in the morning if she is turned out - she won't need it until she is brought in. Ditto water. If someone brings her in a bit early (or I'm a bit late) it won't kill her to not be eating for an hour if she's been on grass all day. (There is always a bit of water left over so she has something to drink)
Turning out takes about 15 minutes as its a bit if a walk.
All in all I take about 40 minutes to feed, skip out, change rugs (yes, still change rugs) and turn out. It's actually a bit quicker if she stays in and I do hay and water.
 
I would defo not change rugs. Haven't done that for years. Also do they need breakfast? Mine just get a treat then out. If they are having a lesson or going competing then I give them food, otherwise don't bother. I keep mine at home so have a shower before work. Nine horses I can turn out and muck out in about a n hour or so.
 
I have one horse. I semi deep litter on bliss bedding, fill 6 haynets at a time so they are ready to put into stable when needed. Disposable gloves, & dry shampoo are a godsend. I have a pair of overalls to wear on yard over work clothes. I have approx 15mins travelling time to yard then allow 45 mins on yard to feed, change rug & muck out mine, hay and water friends 5 horses (all stuff left ready for me to just put in their stables.) i leave mine in stable ready to be turned out by friend later when she arrives to do her 5.
 
I make up a weeks supply of haynets in the barn, prepare breakfasts the night before and have dustbins filled with water ourside my stables which i fill up with hosepipe on a weekend when taps have defrosted. This all means straight onto yard at 7 breakfasts chucked in take dinner buckets and balls out haynets down hang new haynets bucket water from bins into stables by this point they've eaten up so chuck them in fireld break ice on field trough (also clean and fill this at weekend and usually lasts the week)
full muck out of the 2 and off to work by 8. i have my work clothes in a bag strip my coat and boots of into boot fo my car then do a quick change in the ladies wash my hands and face spray deodrant and am at my desk by 8.30.
5pm i re change i the ladies back to stables dinner buckets in horsies in quick cuddle and a groom balls in and lights out horsies home for 6ish.
They stay in thier turnouts and have thier liners changed according to the crazy weather my lad has mud fever so also have to clean and powder his legs every morning and dry and bandage at bed time but key is being tidy and organsied everything is laid out enatly and to hand so i cna grab as needed anything that can be done at tea time or on the weekend to cut time down during the week is done and even at home i make sure my bag is packed the night before so i can just get up and get on :-)
 
I just throw a ski jacket, boots, and waterproof trousers on over the top of work clothes. I don't bother with hats as my hair looks ridiculous when I take them off :o Dry shampoo before you leave the house takes the edge off any smells, and touch wood I've never had anyone say anything (to my face, at least!).

I can do 2 in half an hour if I plan it right - inclusive of turnout, change rugs for one, muckout, haynets (soaked for one), water. It's just a case of getting a routine sorted, and trying not to double back on yourself - i.e. grabbing things and dropping them off on the way to doing something else.
 
This morning was a DISASTER! I turned up, realising I had forgotten the container key! Luckily I could get by without getting in there. Then realised I left my work trousers at home! So ponies were lucky to get a pat this morning as I turfed them out into the field!
 
:) I wondered how you had got on. I feel that my mornings are stressful enough without having to get up even earlier (would mean at least a 5 o clock start) so I pay someone to chuck out for me and then all jobs are done after work. I always did mornings or at least shared a morning rota but on this yard it is easier to be able to pay to turn out. I miss seeing her big face in the mornings but I like the 'no hassle' of this approach :) I am sure you will get it down to a fine art!
 
Takes me half an hour to muck out feed and nets in the morning, leave more time for play in the evening!

I do get smelly and dirty especially in winter, work colleagues know me by now but it might explain why I have my own office! LOL
 
pistolpete said:
Did this for two years until I discovered part livery. Love my new yard! Always wear gloves and wear a hat. Wet wipes and perfume in the car! Oh and a hair brush! Always fancied getting a boiler suit and wearing clean clothes underneath never didi it though!
Click to expand...

It's like you're in my mind. Spooooky! :D

Above is pretty much what I do, minus the perfume (unless you mean eau de horse), but I find it quicker to just wear my jacket and waterproof trousers. I'm also on straw, but have the luxury of leaving them out if I want to, as they have to share a stable (two exmoors) if they're in. It takes me about 30 mins to muck out, but I take out everything every day (wet and poo). People say deep litter, but with two in there everything is moved around and trampled, as they circle each other to swap haynet positions!! That 30 mins includes emptying and refilling water, but as I'm the first to start on water, I leave the tap on a trickle, so it slowly fills whilst I take out the poo! We have the luxury of hot water and soap at our yard, but I normally just get straight back into the car and wash my hands at work (I wear gloves). I have used a boiler suit before, but I find it quite fiddly and when you need a quick wee it's bloody annoying!!

I am thinking of switching to wood pellets for next winter, as it's 100% quicker. Either that or shavings. Straw is lovely when clean, but such a pain in the rear when it's all mixed in!
 
Gypley said:
This morning was a DISASTER! I turned up, realising I had forgotten the container key! Luckily I could get by without getting in there. Then realised I left my work trousers at home! So ponies were lucky to get a pat this morning as I turfed them out into the field!
Click to expand...

Oh dear! Think someone needs to find a hidey hole for their container key. ;)
 
I have the same thing work is ten mins away. I get to the yard at 7am feed while I muck out (two on shavings) and then leave both out on the yard/field with haylage ( I dont bother changing rugs). This take me around 45 mins. I get to work for 8-8.15. I am usually wearing my work top under a horsey hoodie so just get to work change my hoodie to a work cardie and change my jodhs to work trousers. If its hot I will take some baby wipes deodorant and perfume but generally dont need it

Would it be easier and cheaper to have them turned out and fed for you in the morning and then muck out after work?
 
I have 2 straw beds to do before work too.
I have megazorb underneath where my boys wee so only have to skip out daily with a full dig out on the weekend
 
Preparation is the key here :) I have just two to do in the morning before I leave for work at 7.15am.
I fill haynets the night before, make up the dry ingredients of breakfasts and only add sugar beet to them in the morning.
Feed first and change haynets (whilst eating I feed the calves and fork in silage for the cattle) then change rugs (I always change rugs) and turnout. I have rubber matting and shavings so just skip out in the morning - takes minutes with a pair of rubber gloves and an old bucket (but I do go out at 10pm to skip out).
Walk the dogs, shower, change and I'm off :)
Evenings, I start filling their water tubs whilst getting headcollars together etc, bring in, change rugs (again) and feed - job done :) Like I say though, lucky enough to have horses at home so usually go out quite late skip out again.
Phew - can't wait for the temp to rise, grass to grow and they can go out full time!

PS: Should just add that on Sundays I take their bed out and renew - just in case anyone thinks I only ever skip out ;)
 
Last edited:
Weeble (can't quote on stupid phone!) Unfortunatly feed and turnout is a luxury I don't have as we've found ourselves our own little yard, which don't get me wrong, I love! But id definatly forgotten how much work is involved! We've not quite been there a week and I'm not far off losing half a stone (I'm sure ill find it again soon :P)
What with all the moving yards, tiding up, getting things how we want, running electric tape across the top of the fence, stocking up with hay and straw deliveries, laying 3 tons of gravel in the car park. .. my bodys in shock haha!!
 
Blue is super messy so takes me half an hour to feed, muck out, sweep do nets and wash bowls. Then I turn him out which takes about 10 mins.

Haha I’ve been wearing a shower cap for years, look a bit silly but I get hot under a hat, really stops your hair smelling :D. Deffo leave t/o rugs on when novelty worn off and start jobs as they eat. I’m really lucky as Blue is at back of house so straight home for a shower.
 
If shes out my routine is as follows:

Feed breakfast, change rugs and turnout. Muck out and top water up. Make dinner and net for evening. Takes 20 or so minutes

If shes in:

Put hay net in soak, Feed breakast whilst shes tied up, change rugs, muck out and top water up. Put her back in stable and then put her net in. Takes 30 mins (takes time waiting for hay!)
 
OMG - you lot are sooooooo organised!

My three live out 24/7 and it takes me about an hour to do them. Prep feeds, get them in, poo pick, poo on muck heap, hay in field and top up water trough (no mains supply to trough so wheelbarrow and water carrier), take off and replace rugs - quick brush as well if time, rinse out feed buckets, pick out feet and turn out again. Then in the morning go home and get changed for work - sticking boots and coat in the car for later. In the evening the routine is the same apart from getting changed at work in the loo as the yard is on the way home.

Oh, and obviously a few cuddles and tasty treats as well - after all they are oldies:D
 
Back in the days when I owned, I rode most days, usually down the yard before 06.00 especially in summer - I have been known to be out before 04.00 and rode for three hours. My mare was an ex-school horse and was always given Monday orf - I honoured that arrangement mostly but on the few occassions when I changed the day, mare would look at me rather like a Trade's Union official - I'm sure she could count the days!

She was deep littered on woodchips mostly ( though she did have a traditional straw bed for a while until she started to eat it!) and as she was quite house trained - only one small area ever got wet so skipping out that and six piles was easy - my daughter's eventer, when she came along, used to poo all night liquid smellies and dance in it! Sometimes probably invited a few others in for a party as well so her bed took longer. I'd also walk up to another paddock to check on retired pony so minimum hour and a half with no top wack.

Quite frankly, I am amazed just how many girls - whom I always regard as being made from sugar, spice and all things nice - go to work straight from the yard! I am a big hairy bloke and always built in some bathroom time for the sake of others - I love the smell of horse but it divides the population - strangely some people think its a bad smell???
 
My yard is only a 2 min walk from my house. I leave the house at about 6:20am with my 2 dogs, (which means having to stop for about a million wees on the way) mix up and give feeds to my horse and my friend's. Take the haynets out of my stable and pick out my horse's feet while he eats his breakfast and take off his fleece. Turn both horses out, put some more sugarbeet on to soak, muck out his bed - (he is on shavings so I do a full muck out and leave the banks up so the floor can dry) and re-fill and replace haynets, sweep the yard, retrieve the dogs and get home for about 7:15am, so just under an hour.
That gives me enough time to shower and get ready and have breakfast before leaving for work at 8:15am

I tend to do the water in the evening as taps have been frozen and put the bed back down then too.

Works well for us :)
 
I get to the yard at 7:15 and then have to leave at 7:30....literally takes me most of the morning to recover from the mad 15 min rush to muck out, feed, turn out, water, make haynets, fly spray and put fly sheet on! :o It didn't used to be much of a problem, but due to my mare's sweet itch I now have to squeeze in time for fly spraying and fly sheeting...manic rush!! I'm very lucky that the yard is a 4 min walk ( 2 min run!) from where I live, so I can just whizz there and back. I've given up on 'dehorsing' myself before school... horse has now become my 'natural' scent :P
 
Blimey - it takes me an hour to do two, 1.5 hours if I poo pick field as well and that's if field only been left maximum of 48 hours! I do leave them in turnouts - but have field furthest from yard. Also have to top up field water from tap 25m away most days.
Top tip for OP though would be don't use straw! It's so smelly....
 
I can do 2 in 25 mins (one on box rest one to be turned out)


I then cheat and go home and have a shower as I have time and I kinda pass home :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top