Barn Chores Are Never Done
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Thanks to the Coronavirus, us barn rats are over here continuing to practice social distancing. However, some of us have some extra time on our hands now that schools, businesses, and tack shops are closing to prevent spreading of the virus. So this is the perfect opportunity to spend more time in our happy place, and get all those odd and end barn chores completed. Barn chores never stop, so lets list a few tasks we can complete with some of the extra time we have on our hands, all while the rest of the US wastes time fighting over toilet paper, Lysol, and ground beef. Then, after reading through, list your ideas of some non-daily barn tasks we can complete during these next few weeks.
Barn Chores that Need Completing:
- Deep cleaning feed tubs. Lets take a good scrub brush, and make those feed tubs shine. This may also be a perfect opportunity to replace any old/broken feed tubs with jagged edges or holes. We like these scrub brushes because of their range in sizes, perfect size for any feed tubs and water buckets.
- Check your Emergency Box. NOW! It is a great time to check your emergency box, discard any outdated, expired, empty meds/supplies, and restock! Know what you need now, so when your vet comes to do their Spring/Summer vaccines you have a list and are ready to go! Don’t forget Banamine, Acepromazine, Bute, and SMZ’s are always staples to have on hand. As well as a working Thermometer, Self Adhering wraps, Gauze, Duct Tape, Band-aidsand all of your supplies.
- Doing Barn Laundry. You know all those fly sheets from last summer, all those heavy weight you aren’t using any more this Spring, those wraps and saddle pads that are still balled up from your last show or ride. Some of these nice spring days make for perfect drying days! We recommend our Blanket Safe products for all of your animal and horse wear needs. Our washes can be used on ANYTHING washable, and we also have a Wool & Fleece wash for your delicate fabrics, and a Fly Sheet Wash for those stain prone and hard to clean fabrics!
- Power Washing Barn and Stall Mats. These have been the perfect day for a deep clean of the barn. Get out that pressure washers and get to it! Did you know that you could use a little bit of our Ultra Wash in your pressure washer for a deeper clean?
- Cleaning and Conditioning Tack. Now is a great time to get out all your tack and start scrubbing! Start cleaning and conditioning your tack and boots for when shows start back up! We highly recommend Sterling Essentials Leather Conditioner and Cleaner. Find them at online at Sterling Essentials
- Repairing Doors and Painting/ Touch-Ups. Keep your barn looking fresh, an easy way to do this is by touching up the barn every now and then with a little paint. Corners get worn from rubbing horses, barn doors get gnawed on. Keep it safe and fresh, by taking an hour to practice your painting skills, and do a little fixing and primping!
- Hammering in Popped Nails. One of my favorite Spring activities, walking around the fence line and hammering in any popped nails. It is something so easy and so satisfying…and can save you hundreds of dollars in vet bills.
- Scrubbing Water Buckets. Now, this is something that should be done daily, weekly, as much as possible…but for those of you that procrastinate, consider this your reminder. So what do you all use to scrub your water buckets/troughs? I tend to go in there with an old hard brush, however after a recent back surgery I prefer a toilet bowl brush (a NEW one….please, oh please don't use a used one! ). It adds a few inches to my arms and helps me get those extra inches without breaking my back bending over.
- Cleaning out Brushes. All that dirt, dust and hair build up in brushes is kind of crazy! I highly recommend some baby shampoo and a scrub board. Then, go to town (figuratively, not literally …lol) on your brushes, while you have the chance.Â
- Organizing your Tack Trunk. I don’t know about you, but this is something I am not good at! I take things out, toss things in, and everything becomes scrambled! It is time to toss all that stuff you don’t use, don’t need, and organize the stuff you have left. Ya know, those random bits, bobs, snaps, broken pieces.
- Organizing and Accounting for all your Show/Travel/Trailer Supplies. Time to start digging through your travel trunk, and trailer. Recycle those empty water bottles, start refilling fly sprays and show-sheen, making sure you have extra halters, water buckets, sponges and scrapers (We like Equigroomer’s water wisk), water containers, show pads, extra coolers, standing wraps, boots, making sure all of your emergency contacts are correct, you name it!!
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- Gathering all your Clipper Blades. After all that clipping this Fall, Winter, and Spring, it is time to gather up any dull and dirty clipper blades and have them sent for a deep cleaning and sharpening!
- Replacing Snaps that have Broken. We use snaps everywhere in a barn, from halters, to gates, feed buckets, stall doors, cross ties. Plus, it’s always helpful to have a handful of double ended snaps on hand!
- Check your Electric Fence. Have you checked to see if your electric fence is functioning? Ask a non-horsey friend (you don’t mind losing) to stop over to the barn… you can do the rest. (LOL!)
Conclusion
I know we missed out on a TON of other things you can do in the barn, so help a pal out and comment what other chores need to be done, other than that which is to be done daily. It will give us all something to read through, chuckle at, and keep us smiling in this time of stress. And please, while you may not be able to get out, please don’t forget to support your online small businesses. @Bays4dayscrochet @stockbubble @Equistrings @Herd Of Zebras @Myst Equine Products@The Infused Equestrian @ Grey Horse Candle Co. just to name a few!
Thank you so much for reading along today, we hope you are able to step out of the chaos and into a place to relax and read with friends for a few. I hope to see some sparkling barns here soon!
Stay healthy friends, and have a Safe ride!
~L xx
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