🐴 CHEYNE RANCH STALL CLEANING SYSTEM 🐴

Did you know that keeping a horse's stall clean is one of the most important jobs we do?

Horses spend 10–16 hours a day in their stalls. They eat there, sleep there, and stand there. Unlike a dog, a horse can't just move away from a wet spot or a dirty corner.

👉 What we leave behind, they live in.

💛 Why Clean Stalls Matter

Clean, dry stalls help prevent:

  • 🦶 Thrush — a painful hoof infection caused by wet, dirty bedding

  • 💧 Hoof damage — moisture softens and weakens the hoof over time

  • 🐴 Skin irritation — damp bedding can cause sores and rashes

  • 😮‍💨 Ammonia exposure — horse’s urine turns into a gas (called ammonia) that can hurt a horse’s lungs

  • 🐛 Flies and mosquitoes — dirty bedding attracts pests; in Florida, mosquitoes can carry a deadly disease called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

These are not small problems. They affect a horse's comfort, health, and safety every single day.

A horse cannot tell you when something hurts.

👉 It's our job to notice problems and stop them before they start.

🌟 What This Means

Every stall you clean is more than a task. It's direct care for an animal who is counting on you.

✨ Every stall you clean matters. Take pride in doing this well. ✨

🎯 SHAVINGS GOAL

Add shavings as needed — NO MORE than ½ bag per stall per day

✔ Some days will need less
✔ Only replace what was removed
✔ Many cleanings will need no shavings

👉 Weekly goal: use shavings carefully and avoid waste

🧹 STEP-BY-STEP CLEANING

1. 🪣 Prep

  • Grab poop rake and muck bucket before entering

  • Set a 15-minute timer — don't start until you're inside the stall

2. 💩 Remove Manure

  • Pick up ALL manure throughout the entire stall

  • Check walls, corners, and edges carefully

👉 Nothing should be left behind

3. 💧 Remove Wet Spots

  • Remove ALL wet bedding

  • Dig deeper — wet spreads below the surface

  • Check every corner carefully

👉 If it smells or feels damp, remove it

4. 🌿 Fluff

  • Turn all remaining shavings

  • Break up any packed areas

  • Check underneath for hidden wet spots

👉 Fluffy shavings mean better comfort and no hidden moisture

5. ⬜ Stall Layout

  • Leave the first 2 feet inside the door bare (wall to wall)

  • The rest of the stall should be bedded where the horse stands and rests

  • Pull shavings away from walls briefly to check for wet spots

  • Then pull them back into the stall

👉 Front stays bare. Back stays bedded

6. 🪵 Add Shavings (if needed)

  • Only add shavings if the stall looks thin or low — do NOT add more than ½ bag per day

  • Focus on the center standing area, back half, and back corners

👉 Goal: soft, dry, and comfortable — not overfilled

🚫 Leave These Areas Bare

No shavings needed here:

  • First 2 feet inside the door, wall to wall

  • Under water buckets

  • Under hay box and hay area

⚠️ KEY RULE

Replace what was removed — do NOT throw away clean, usable shavings

📸 PHOTO CHECK-IN (REQUIRED)

After cleaning each stall:

  • Take 1 photo per stall

  • Send to the barn group text

  • 5 stalls = 5 photos per shift

👉 Your shift is not complete until photos are sent

This is not about distrust — it it helps us keep our horses safe and healthy.

🧠 FINAL CHECK

Ask yourself:

“Would I feel comfortable standing or lying here for 12 hours?”

✔ YES → Take photo and finish
💪 NO → Fix it first

🌟 STANDARD

A properly cleaned stall is:

  • Dry

  • Clean

  • Fluffy

  • Comfortable

👉 Ready for the next horse without needing to be redone