How to Muck Out a Stall: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

1. 1

   Remove the hay, water bucket and manger to avoid contamination and keep the stall clean. Removing the horse is also a good idea.

2. 2

   Remove all the bigger, more obvious droppings on the surface with the shavings fork or rubber glove. Sift the shavings through the pitchfork so all that remains is manure(droppings). Then, deposit the manure in the wheelbarrow.^[1]

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3. 3

   Toss the shavings to the sides of the stall next. Remove any droppings that fall out of them as you do so.

4. 4

   Scoop up the wet shavings with the shavings fork.^[2]

5. 5

   Sweep the floor and shovel up any remaining manure.^[3]

6. 6

   Leave the floor to dry and air out for a while.^[4] Then you can pull back the shavings to lay the bed. Bank up the shavings against the walls.

7. 7

   Add new shavings, if necessary. To open the bale, cut the tape with scissors or a special safety barn knife that has a recessed blade.

8. 8

   Use the four-pronged pitchfork to loosen them and dump them into the stall.^[5]

9. 9

   See Also

   Stall Mucking 101: How to Clean and Maintain Your Horse’s Stall - The Horse and StableDoes mucking out affect my body? | Harry Hall BlogBogus employee retention claims are mucking up IRS operationsMuck-rete: How muck from the Indian River Lagoon is being used in concrete

   Spread the shavings around to make a comfortable stall.^[6]

10. 10

    Replace the water and feed bowls.^[7] If you couldn’t remove the water bowl because it was fixed to the wall, change the water.

11. 11

    Sweep the yard if necessary and put the tools back neatly. This is especially important if you are boarding your horse.

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Community Q&A

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• To avoid wasting bedding material, sift the pitchfork by shaking it until you are left with mostly manure.

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• Rubber matting is a different type of bedding that works very well when used with shavings. Less shavings have to be use saving time and money.

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• The smell can linger in your clothes and hair so if you are going somewhere afterwards change clothes.

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Show More Tips

• For health, safety and convenience to yourself and your horse it is highly recommended that you remove the horse before mucking out, especially if the horses suffered from breathing problems.

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• Mucking out is physically demanding and can put a strain on your back. Wear rubber gloves to help protect your hands.

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• Disturbing a bed fills the air with dust and mold spores. Allergy and asthma sufferers should wear a dust mask and overalls.

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• Traditionally bedding is banked (heaped against the walls) to help stop the horse becoming cast (trapped against the wall). This is very difficult and not very effective with shavings. Wall mats or anti cast strips can help the horse find traction if he become cast.

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• If the horse is tied in the stall while you are mucking it out, he should have excellent stable manners. Make sure you don't accidentally hit or tap him with the pitchfork because if he spooks or kicks in the small space, both of you risk injury - plus, it would hurt.

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• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel
• Broom
• Four-pronged fork
• Shavings fork
• Rubber or working gloves
• Rubber Boots or comfortable work boots
• Dust Mask
• Apron

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Co-authors: 23

Updated: May 12, 2023

Views:85,202