Mucking Out

[nelle]

I am helping to look after a pony and will be mucking the stable out soon but have no idea how to do it!!

Please can anyone tell me what to do and how often etc etc.

Thanks a lot!

[claire hodgson]

how often - every single day .... (and IMHO best done in the morning, otherwise the wet soaks in even more and you have to toss more bed out than you would otherwise).

how - watch someone else, but essentially take out all the droppings and wet bits, put the bed back and if necessary put more bedding in.

There's a knack to it, whether you're on shavings or straw, that will only be developed by practice ....

But it's very good fittening work. And you'll get to like dark mornings...

[hApPiNeSs]

1. Using the shavings fork (if mucking out shavings) or fork, take out any poos by lifting it up and letting any clean straw/shavings fall through. Place in wheelbarrow (duh)

2. Take out any wet patches in the same manner

3. Pile all clean bedding around the sides of the stable, getting rid of any further wet patches or hidden poos.

4. Sweep the bare floor, and leave to air of you have time

5. Spread clean bedding back over floor, then add some more to replace the stuff you took out.

You can muck out with the horse in the stable if it is tyed up, but i find they often stand in the way and make it far more difficult, so i would advise you to tie the horse up outside with a waterproof coat if you dont want it to get wet. :)

hope this answers your questions :)

you should muck out once a day - this can be morning or evening :D