Time Saving Yard Routine

Irishlife

Irishlife

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 August 2004
Messages
598
Location
Ireland
Visit site
At the moment, I have eight stabled with two weanlings sharing a box. I won't have any help for the next month as daughter busy on vet work exp over in UK and another lad college exams so I am really stuck as me - the old mare aint as good as she used to be. I have six boxes rubber mats and semi deep shavings and two deep litter milled straw, no auto water and round bales to manage. I always do three boxes myself anyway and that leaves me creaking but after today OMG I will not survive the month. ONly have tiny turnout enough for one at a time as land will not be usable until April, everyone in same boat over grass here.

So some back saving and time saving tips please, poor horses will be virtually on box rest with the limited turnout for the next while!!!!!!!!!
 
try not stuffing haynets,, just chuck it over the door..unless you soak it. also iv always found having a triangle bed in the corner just deep enough to lie on and keep it fairly clean by putting in say half a bale every 4 days..although that itself takes time!
have spare buckets and make 2 days worth of feed at once.
not sure about the water!
good luck
 
agree dont use haynets, assuming they dont have COPD. Main point of haynets is to allow you to soak hay and to avoid waste. As long as you have a decent amount and quality of hay, give yourself a break and just chuck it in, better for them to feed from the floor anyway. If you do still decide to use nets do a whole weeks worth in one go or as many as you have nets for then just soak them when needed.

try wood pellets (the ones for heating boilers are fine) or hemp (Aubiose type) bedding, lots more absorbent and less work than shavings. Tho aubiose more expensive than shavings per bale, I find I save money overall and take about half the time mucking out, was amazed. I use the pellets with the aubiose as it gives the bed more solidity and structure esp for bigger heavier horses.

good luck, I dont envy you. Remember tho what doesnt kill you it will make you stronger :-))
 
are your stable doors in the middle of the stable or to one side, if the are to one side i put the bed on the one side in the stable so that the horse stands looking out with his legs on the mats its easier to muck out that way but both of mine are deep litter. as for water get either large trug tubs or dustbins and fill them up with a hose. i don't use haynets but do use garden pop up bags the ones for leaves as they are easier to stuff.
 
If you're using haynets fill a weeks worth at the weekend (or find a small child you can bribe to fill them!!). As for the water, can you tip buckets striaight out of the stable doors then stretch a hose to fill them up in the stables. Alternatively what the people on my yard do which is a time saver is to put a couple of large plastic dustbins by the tap, leave the tap running and fill them and then dunk your water buckets in them to fill - it's quicker as you can leave the big bins to fill whilst you do something else.
smile.gif
 
Thanks for the tips - just on a bit of a whinge fest really as I will manage it all just not to usual standards.

I do chuck the forage in anyway and have aquired some barrels for water - not that keen as I like them to have fresh but needs must. I am working on the small child bribery issue although in fact he is 12 and smokes fags while driving his dad's tractor!!! If all else fails will throw myself on mercy of horsy neighbours .
I always prided myself on toughness and through gritted teeth will think how amazed my daughter will be when she sees mummy with Madonna/Lady Ga Ga six pack!!!!!! Just wanted to whinge really as getting to that grumpy old woman stage albeit hoping to develop certain eccentricities for when daughter writes memoirs!!!! Just taking the terrier for a hamburger and large gin!!!

Garden pop up bags sound mysteriously marvellous more details please and do we have them in this country??
 
i have 10 in at the mo and on my own, i deep litter all the way to the door, haylage in the corner loose, tub trug buckets with handles so hose can be propped under the handle and be filling that bucket whilst i am doing the next stable.
Buy the straw in the big 6 string bales, and then only opening 1 bale and each single section is about a small single bale
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top