Most  horse owner’s dream of having that perfect, well-organized barn but it is can be tough to keep things clean and organized without breaking the bank. Try a few of our thrifty tips to help solve some of those pesky barn management problems without hurting the wallet.

Tackroom. When space is an issue, try using clear plastic totes, that can be found at most home goods stores for only a few bucks. They come in different sizes to fit your space and typically come with lids that help keep dust out. Use them to keep down clutter by keeping together things such as grooming and bathing supplies. Clear totes allow you to see what is inside without having to open every lid. Use dry erase maker on outside to label contents for easy identification then wipe it away and re-label later.

Dust. Even in a well organized tackroom dust is often an issue. A clear vinyl shower curtain liner (possibly re-purposed from the home) makes a great dust cover for hanging tack. Use a staple gun to secure curtain along the length of the tackroom wall above bridle racks. Vertical slits in the curtain make for easy access to tack while still protecting it from the dust.

Feed buckets. Purchasing feed buckets from your local tack store can cost as much as $10- $15 per bucket. This really adds up, especially when you are feeding multiple horses. Ask your local doughnut shop (such as Shipley’s or Crispy Cream) for their used filling buckets. Often times they sell them for cheap. And bonus, they generally come with lids that seal the contents. You can prepare several feedings at once, cutting feeding time without the worry of exposing feed to the elements.

Feeding on the road. Packing enough feed, hay and supplements for your trip can often times require a lot of preparation. And how many times have you gotten where you’re going and run out or feed or forgot that all important feed scoop? Prepare each feeding at home to ensure each horse gets exactly what they need. Gallon sized Ziplock freezer bags make perfect feed bags and can be labeled with each horse’s name. Also makes a great way to leave pre-measured rations for horsesitters taking care of the ones left at home.

Barn tools. Help keep your barn isles clutter free by providing a central location for barn tools such as manure forks and shovels. Try using over the door (or in the case, stall) hangers for a quick, no-assembly fix. Tools can be easily hung up and out of the way.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 26th, 2011 at 12:47 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.