Spring is certainly the busiest time of year at the stable for maintenance and cleaning.
During the winter, despite regular cleaning, livestock shelters and stable roofs accumulate large layers of bedding and manure.
When the frost eases, the snow melts, and the ground starts to dry, it's the perfect time to give the livestock shelter a thorough spring overhaul!
The first step in spring cleaning livestock shelters is to remove the accumulated bedding pack from winter. In many shelters, the pack is allowed to grow throughout the winter, which also serves well as thermal insulation.
In spring, however, the pack is removed either manually or mechanically so that the shelter's base can dry and the formation of bacteria and ammonia is reduced.
Once the old bedding is removed, it's worth checking the shelter's foundation structure. Is the base even? Does it need more gravel or leveling of depressions?
At the same time, the shelter's walls, fences, and feeding areas should be checked for any repair needs.
Ensure Hygiene and Air Quality
During spring cleaning, many stables also wash or disinfect the structures of the shelter. This is not strictly necessary, of course, but it is beneficial, especially when viruses like EHV are circulating.
For the well-being of horses, reducing ammonia is particularly important.
Moist and poorly absorbent bedding quickly starts to emit a strong odor that irritates the respiratory system of both horses and stable workers. Therefore, spring cleaning is a good time to re-evaluate bedding solutions.
In livestock shelters, bedding quantities are often large, and thus the functionality of the bedding directly affects the amount of work and the hygiene of the stable. That's why it's worth paying attention in the spring to what kind of bedding is used in the shelter.
High-quality bedding effectively absorbs moisture and ammonia, insulates heat, and does not produce excessive dust. Biohansa's peat-wood fiber bedding has been developed precisely for this purpose!
The excellent moisture and odor absorption capacity of peat is combined with the airiness of wood fiber. In addition, it effectively binds ammonia, which improves air quality in livestock shelters as well.
Wood fiber lightens the structure and makes the bedding easy to handle and clean. The result is a bedding mixture that remains soft, dry, and a pleasant sleeping surface.
Modifying the Base of the Livestock Shelter
A good base for a livestock shelter is literally the foundation of the whole operation. The base must be level, well-draining, and supportive. This prevents the formation of damp spots, which can cause problems.
The base should be constructed with a slight slope of about 1-2% so that rain and meltwater drain away. If necessary, a drain or a layer of gravel and sand can be added to the base to manage water.
Typically, gravel, crushed stone, or a sand mixture is used for the base. Geotextile can also be added to the base to prevent soil from mixing with the bedding.
As mentioned, bedding affects both horse comfort and shelter hygiene. The amount of bedding depends on the size of the shelter, the number of horses, and the absorbency of the base.
After spring cleaning, a layer of bedding about 10-15 cm thick is spread. If necessary, a small amount is added to fill in any removed wet spots. If the layer is too thin, the base will quickly become damp. A layer that is too thick, on the other hand, can be difficult to clean and an unnecessary burden on the base.
Less Work, More Well-being
The floor of a livestock shelter can stay dry and warm without a straw layer if the base and bedding are properly designed. Straw is a traditional solution, although more effective beddings can replace it today.
In winter, straw acts as thermal insulation, but peat-wood fiber also maintains the softness of the base and prevents cold from penetrating. A thick layer of bedding creates a natural mattress without straw.
However, if straw is used, it is advisable to first lay a thick layer of bedding on the shelter floor, which acts as the primary absorbent base. Straw can be added on top for softness and additional thermal insulation.
During the spring and summer seasons, only peat-wood fiber bedding can be used, eliminating the need for straw altogether.
When the bedding works properly, daily maintenance of stalls or shelters becomes easier. Dry and highly absorbent bedding reduces wet spots and facilitates manure removal. At the same time, less bedding is consumed because the base stays drier for longer.
Good bedding for horses means a cleaner sleeping surface and sufficient rest.
