A question for the more senior* members of the forum - mucking out tools

[Pikachu]

Maybe no help at all, but would dropping the muck into a skip bucket, for someone else to empty into the barrow work? Then she isn't lifting or pushing weight.
I did this when I broke my arm a few years ago.

It may do, the barrow/s get left in a stable for me to empty in the evenings and when the 2 small ponies were on shavings then they were left in the skip buckets as easier to tip on muck trailer.

Not sure I have enough skip buckets for the bigger 2 as they do a lot more poo.

 

[Abacus]

I'm no expert but maybe some strengthening exercises (focussed on back and shoulders) would help long term? Personally I would look at how to be stronger, with a short term fix of different equipment.

 

[dottylottie]

23 so not senior by any means, but very weak and a bit soft! i can only muck out with a shires shavings fork, or km elite - 1 on straw 1 on shavings. i can’t cope with a longer handle, heavier fork or different shaped scoop section.

 

[gallopingby]

Straw is heavy to muck out, have you thought of changing to a hemp based system and deep littering? I pay someone to clear out at the end of the winter. A Swedish fork with a shorter handle works well or just a skip and short rack. It may be worth trying different types of bedding.

 

[terrierliz]

I use a plastic scoop with a longer handled rake put into a small skip and then into barrow. I also use a plastic shavings fork which is far lighter.

 

[onemoretime]

Quotes aren’t working on my phone today.

Magnesium - Osteo did recommend this but think it’s not recommended with one of the tablets she takes, will look further into.

Younger (not fitter) child - I have offered to go back to doing morning stables as she took over when retired to save my silly o’clock starts but keeps saying no. All are on straw so not sure if a shavings fork will work but again, will look at.

I use a shavinhs fork to muck out my two on straw an I find it very good. Better thn a shovel. I put down the beds with a 4 prong fork.

 

[eggs]

I use a large plastic shovel with raised sides to muck out my straw bed. Put shovel under start of poop pile and sort of bounce/wriggle it to get the droppings onto it. Don't aim to get a whole pile on to keep it lighter to lift and drop into the wheelbarrow. I then use a plastic Future shavings fork to get out the wet and then lay the bed back.

 

[Pikachu]

Straw is heavy to muck out, have you thought of changing to a hemp based system and deep littering? I pay someone to clear out at the end of the winter. A Swedish fork with a shorter handle works well or just a skip and short rack. It may be worth trying different types of bedding.

We have used others but straw works best for all of them. The wet straw isn’t so much an issue as use a sprinkle of wood pellets where they wee so don’t get the proper soaking straw as they absorb most of the wet so what is there is easy to lift with a fork, then scape up the wet mush with the shovel.

It’s mostly the action of picking up the poo and swinging it into the barrow that’s causing the main issue.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We use a small paddock vac to muck out our field shelter. It is sold as suitable for owners of one or two equines for poo picking, or for kennel owners. It is suitable for one person to use, so long as the elbow can stand up to starting the petrol engine.

 

[Pikachu]

We use a small paddock vac to muck out our field shelter. It is sold as suitable for owners of one or two equines for poo picking, or for kennel owners. It is suitable for one person to use, so long as the elbow can stand up to starting the petrol engine.

I’m not sure if starting one would be easy but I’ll add this to my list to look into, thanks.

 

[Carrottom]

I like a multi mucka fork for straw beds.

 

[deicinmerlyn]

Fork or shavings fork. I find those daft little rakes with muck bucket useless! How people use those when they’re poo picking in the field either, I don’t know.

 

[little_critter]

Yeah! Anything to avoid hoisting the long handle of the scoop nearly to head level to get it into the barrow.

You can get scoops with wee short handles as well, can't you?

I have a short handled rake, the long handled one gave me tennis elbow.

 

[Indy]

I'd go for a long handled fork and half filling the barrow. I just can't get on with those scoops. When I'm mucking out the field I use a long handled shavings fork.

 

[Pikachu]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Definitely think a trip out to the big shop to try some tools is going to be the best bet.

 

[Sealine]

I muck out straw with lightweight, long handled shavings fork. I think it the Future Fork https://www.futureshavingsfork.co.uk/cat/2-shaving-forks/future-forks/
I bought it when I used shavings but I recently changed back to straw and find it still works ok. I have to be very careful with my lower back so I prefer long handled, lightweight tools.

 

[cornbrodolly]

By the end of each winter I find my elbows are wrecked. 2 of our horses are on straw - long handled metal fork is best, in fact the only good tool, for me. Other 2 are on sand so long handled pooperscooper works well . Today did some extra mucking out in the calving box, just for the fun of it - not! Many of you on here are no age at all! OH and myself are beyond 70 , but truly believe in the old adage of 'use it or lose it' , so we just bash on....

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

have you looked at a dung beetle? Looks like could use both hands to tip manure into wheel barrow