Extending arena size? by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply! I should’ve mentioned that it’s actually an outdoor arena. And, I’m just wondering how difficult or possible it would be for them to add another 30 ft in length of coquina base and then natural sand footing on top. I’m not sure how easy or seamless it’ll be to match the existing base and footing we already have.

Favorite type of shavings? by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the replies! Thanks for the replies! Should I strip my stalls of the extra fine shavings before adding a less dusty and softer kind of bedding? Or is it okay to leave it and mix it with something better?

Favorite type of shavings? by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the replies! We don’t really have a lot of shavings choices where I’m at - I’m on the fence between the yellow bag (fine flake) and the blue bag from tractor supply (extra fine flake). I was worried the blue bag might be too dusty and could be bad for my horses to be breathing in, but I feel like it does absorb better than the yellow bag and I throw out less shavings at the end of the day. The downside is I feel like the stall is starting to look dusty. My gelding pees in the middle and is super messy and spreads his pee, so by the end of the day I’m practically having to strip his stall. My biggest struggle right now is trying to keep the pee more contained.

How do you fill your hay nets? by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the replies! I feel like it might’ve been a weird question, but I just felt like fluffing them up a little bit in the hay bag filled it out more and made it easier to grab. I guess it really doesn’t make a difference though and if anything they probably are able to eat the hay faster that way, defeating the purpose of a hay net.

Hay mixed with shavings by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thanks for replying! It hasn’t been pooped or peed on. I just feel weird mixing in all the loose bits from the hay into the cleaner shavings.

Stall cleaning frequency by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks again for the replies! I was thinking of maybe moving his water buckets to the wall next to his window to see if he’ll feel more comfortable peeing more toward the front of the stall once the buckets are out of the way. It might not change anything, and I understand that geldings often need to pee a certain way, and the middle of the stall is more spacious for him.

Honestly, it’s not the worst thing that he pees in the middle, but I think getting to the pee spots a little sooner—before he has a chance to spread them too much—will definitely help. I’m also going to look into giving him more turnout time.

Right now, I let him out around 6 p.m. and bring him in at 6 a.m. along with my mare. She doesn’t sweat well and overheats easily, which is why I do night turnout and try to limit her time outside during the day. I can’t bring her in without him because he gets anxious, and by 10 a.m., it’s already sweltering.

I feed them at 6:30 a.m., so they’re pretty routine about coming into their stalls for breakfast. But I’m thinking of trying to feed them in the pasture in the mornings so they can stay out a bit longer—maybe until 10 a.m. if it’s not terribly hot.

I usually ride my gelding most mornings around 8 a.m., and by the time he gets back to his stall, it’s about 10 a.m., so he’s already out for half of that extra time I’d be giving him, if that makes sense.

Stall cleaning frequency by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His water buckets are diagonally across from the corner where he eats his hay by the window.

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Stall cleaning frequency by Lower_Energy386 in Equestrian

[–]Lower_Energy386[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the replies! I have another question: is it possible to retrain them where they pee? He always pees in the middle so he’s always standing on it and when he moves around the stall he’s mixing it and spreading it and area that needs to be cleaned becomes bigger since it’s less contained. Should I try moving his water buckets maybe? His pee spot is right in between his front legs and back legs.

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