Summer flew by, and now it’s time to embrace the cooler months ahead. Fall is the perfect time to prepare your horses and barn for the challenges of winter. Here are five expert tips to help you transition smoothly into the season while keeping your horses happy, healthy, and comfortable.
Tips
- Give Your Tack Some TLC. After a long, hot summer, your tack deserves a little attention. Take the time to clean and condition your saddle, bridle, and any other leather tack, including martingales and halters. Regular cleaning not only keeps your gear looking great but also protects it from cold-weather damage, extending its lifespan.
- Protect Your Horse’s Hooves. Shorter days and colder weather can take a toll on hooves. Start applying an all-natural hoof conditioner now to lock in moisture and encourage healthy hoof growth through the fall and winter. Proactively caring for hooves can prevent cracks and brittleness during the colder months.
- Be Prepared for Thrush. Fall often brings wet, muddy conditions that are perfect for thrush to develop. Stock up on a trusted thrush remedy so you’re ready to treat your horse’s hooves at the first sign of trouble. A little preparation can save you and your horse from discomfort and downtime later.
- Check and Freshen Up Blankets. Before the chill sets in, pull out your horse’s winter blankets and stable sheets. Inspect them for holes, dirt, or wear and tear, and make any necessary repairs now.
- To freshen up your blankets, add 2 capfuls of Bye Bye Odor® Concentrate (about 0.5 oz) to a 32 oz spray bottle filled with water. Spray it directly onto the blankets before washing them. For larger barns, mix an entire 4 oz bottle of Bye Bye Odor with 2.5 gallons of water in a sprayer for easy application.
- You can also spray Bye Bye Odor directly onto urine or manure spots on blankets until you have time to wash them. Remember to fix rips before they grow into holes and patch up any damage to extend the life of your blankets.
- Pro Tip: Bye Bye Odor concentrate lasts for up to 2 years unopened but should be used within 60 days once mixed with water.
- Deep Clean and Refresh Your Barn. Fall is a great time for a thorough barn cleaning. Strip stalls completely and spray Bye Bye Odor on wet spots, urine splatters, and stall walls. This not only refreshes the barn but also neutralizes harmful ammonia that can irritate your horse’s respiratory system. Take the opportunity to clean muck buckets, tools, muck boots, horse trailers, truck floorboards, barn office furniture, and any other areas that need a refresh. Regularly spraying Bye Bye Odor will help maintain a healthier, more pleasant environment for you and your horses all season long.
With these five tips, you can welcome fall with confidence, knowing your horses and barn are ready for whatever the season brings.
Here’s to a happy, healthy fall for you and your horses!
