What Makes a Stable

When you come to visit us at Middleton to enjoy our beautiful land, take a ride on one of our majestic horses, and to enjoy the beauty of the Lowcountry have you ever wondered what makes up a perfect horse stable? 

We pride ourselves on having the best horses in the Lowcountry and the best trails to enjoy the Lowcountry in a unique and beautiful way. But we are also very proud of the stables that our incredible employees that keep our stables immaculate and our horses happy and healthy. But have you ever thought what exactly you need to keep a stable functioning and up to everyday work? Some of these items might not surprise you, but some of them just might! 

A lot of what you need to have a functioning horse stable is very practical and might already be found around the house. A lot of it is inexpensive and will make life a lot easier. The current collection of items in your stable will keep you organized, help keep a cleaner barn, and keep you and your horses safe. Our employees make it look so easy!  

When you are getting ready to build or create your own horse stable avoid getting stressed and think about categorizing what you need into four different categories. 

1. Horse Barn and Stable Supplies 
2. Horse Arena Supplies OR Trail Riding Supplies 
3. Horse Staff Supplies 
4. Tack Room Supplies 

The list of items below is what we recommend you always have around, especially if you are a first-time stable owner! 

1. Contact List 
Make sure you have all of your important contacts where you can find them. This includes your Veterinarian, back up Veterinarian, Equine Dentist, Farrier (someone who trims and shoes horses' hooves), transport in case of an accident, and all the numbers of your employees. Also, having a list of handy places that deliver food to your area doesn't hurt either. Caring for horses and their well being means long hours, and you will need to eat too! 

2. Mini Fridge 
This might sound weird, but it's not used for what you think. A lot of medication and supplements that your horses might and will be taking throughout their lifetime need to be stored in a refrigerator. Keeping it on hand and close to your horses is best. 

3. Coffee Grinder
Again, this isn't used for what you think. Your horses might have issues swallowing large pills or supplements. You can grind them in the coffee grinder and add the powder to your horse's food or water. You can also turn the powder into a paste and use a syringe to put it into your horse's mouth. 

4. Basic Medical Supplies 
Even if you aren't a vet or have a vet on staff, it is always important to have basic medical supplies and equipment on hand. Accidents happen and sickness can occur. A vet might not be readily available or close if your barn is in a very rural place. As you are stocking your barn in preparation check in with your veterinarian for the best suggestions for your store of supplies. 

5. Hand Sanitizer 
This can be more beneficial than soap and water. It can be readily available and carried on your person no matter what a day at the barn could bring. From the birth of foals to trail rides, your hands will be clean. 

6. Baby Wipes
Everyone who owns or keeps a horse strives to keep them clean, groomed, and show ready. But try as anyone might, horses get dirty. Keep these on hand to wipe out basic dirt and gunk from your horse's eyes, muzzles, nostrils, ears and for touch-ups all over their bodies. 

7. Wide Barn Aisles
This architectural choice isn't just for you and the horses to use but also for tractors and vehicles to get in and out of the barn. Also, have large entrance doors into the horse's stalls ready to handle whatever mood the horse might be in when transporting them on or off these vehicles. 

8, Non-Slip Floors 
This is a safety precaution for you, all barn employees, and those visiting the barn. Never have standing water around your horses either! 

9. A Well-Stocked and Well prepared Tack Room 
A Tack Room is something that every stable should have. This room will store all of the "stuff" you will use to care for the horses that aren't already needed in their stalls. But some barns use it for storage of their trophies and other awards. 
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10. Bedding 
This doesn't mean blankets and pillows for your horse, even though they will wear blankets during cold weather to keep them warm, they will need bedding on the floor of their stalls all year round. The most common material to use is hay and shavings but you can also use wood pellets, paper, moss, hemp, and stall mats! 

The next time you come to visit us for a ride at Middleton, take a moment to really see what makes up the stable around you and all the hard workers keeping it clean and fun for you!