Storage Feed And Bedding

Doc-t July 5, 2015
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Storing food and bedding should give protection from weather and be efficient to access for use.  These things are accessed daily and have turnover consistently.  They also create a lot of dust and dirt, so this access should be limited to specific times and isolated from the horse-living areas or where people work throughout the day. 

Outside storage separates the horses and people from the dirty environment feed and bedding make.  However, the tradeoff is exposure to weather when transferring materials to the barn.  If food is stored within the barn, access to it should be secured from any loose horse.  While I oppose feeding grain to any horse (see nutrition), there are still reports of a horse getting into the feed room and engorging on an open bag of grain.  The result of this can be life-threatening colic or laminitis.

Whether food and bedding are stored inside or outside the barn, the materials must be protected from animals that will eat it, nest in it and contaminate it with their waste.  Metal containers work well for individual items (soybean meal), but bags placed on the ground soon have holes created by hungry rodents.  Another thing to consider is the floor of the storage area.  Moisture will seep into any food and bedding, making it useless.  Concrete that remains dry is suitable, especially for unbaked materials, but I have also seen wooden pallets used on all flooring to keep bagged and baled items off the ground.  When pallets are used, remember the air space created by the pallet structure can become blocked with debris.  This blocks airflow and is also a significant nesting place for rodents.  Periodic cleaning is essential.

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A common sight in eastern WA where hay and straw are baled and kept outside covered in tarps except for the ends. About 15 to 20 bales fit on a semi trailer so these are very big storage areas of very big bales.
A common sight in eastern WA where hay and straw are baled and kept outside covered in tarps except for the ends. About 15 to 20 bales fit on a semi trailer so these are very big storage areas of very big bales.
A common sight in eastern WA where hay and straw are baled and kept outside covered in tarps except for the ends. About 15 to 20 bales fit on a semi trailer so these are very big storage areas of very big bales.
Covered bay for shavings and waste storage has a cement wall between them. The large yellow loader on the left manages this system.
Covered bay for shavings and waste storage.
Close up of a large storage area for shavings and waste storage. A large front end loader is used to maneuver the material.
Wood sawdust is the bedding used in this barn not just for the stalls but for the large aisle used for exercising the horses. Everything is clean and organized in this barn. A lot of hard work is clearly evident in the whole barn. Note fire extinguisher (one of many throughout the barn)
Bedding storage inside the barn.
Shavings covered by a tarp.
Organized and clean feed room
A stall is commonly used for storage of equipment, feed and bedding.
Vaulted ceilings like Grand Central Station in NYC. This was where the carriages were parked. A famous barn in CT that was built in the 1940’s by the same archetect used in the building of Grand Central Station in NYC. Hay is stacked neatly near the stalls.
Hay and grain kept in a retired truck body.
Shavings kept outdoors in a containment area and covered with a tarp.
Shavings kept outdoors and covered with a tarp. A wash area is in the distance.
This is a custom made lift for getting hay bales into the loft.
This is a custom made lift for getting hay bales into the loft.
Waste is contained in this shed and hay is kept in the semi trailer next to it and rotated out with each delivery.
A feeding shed where a round bale is placed under in a paddock. This offers some protection and access to a tractor for cleaning.
Partial cover with no side cover of very large bales of straw in eastern Washington.
A retired semi trailer used for bedding and hay storage. The 4 telephone poles prevent it from tipping is a hurricane comes in FL.
Food and bedding storage
Uncovered sawdust bedding on a sand floor. Also 3 wash areas.
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