
Keeping your barn clean and organized is essential for safety and efficiency. Over time, barns can accumulate clutter that creates tripping hazards, attracts pests, or makes daily chores more difficult. Here are five practical ways to declutter your barn and create a safer, more functional space for you and your horses.
1. Toss Loose Baling Twine
Baling twine often piles up in corners, hangs off walls, or gets forgotten in the hay shed, loft, or stall. While it’s tempting to keep it just in case you might use it, excess twine can pose a choking or other gastrointestinal hazard to horses and a tripping risk for humans. Gather all the loose twine and decide how much you need to keep, then dispose of the rest. Store the twine you want neatly in a container or on a hook to keep it from cluttering the barn aisles, feed room, or tack room.
2. Get Rid of Broken Items
Broken tools, damaged buckets, or worn-out tack can quickly make your barn less functional. These items take up valuable space and can be dangerous if they fail during use. Evaluate your equipment and toss anything beyond repair. For items that can be fixed, set a deadline for repairs—if you don’t fix them by then, let them go.
3. Organize Your Tack Room
Many barns have an overwhelming collection of tack, much of which goes unused. Sort through your saddles, bridles, and accessories. Keep the items you use regularly and consider donating or selling what you no longer need. Create an organization system for what you keep, using labeled hooks or bins to make everything easy to find.
4. Clear Out Old or Unused Feed
Old feed bags, empty supplement containers, or products you no longer use can clutter your feed room and invite pests. Check expiration dates and dispose of any feed or supplements that are past their prime. If you have unused, unexpired feed, consider donating it to a local rescue or horse owner in need. Invest in rodent-proof containers for your feed to maintain freshness and keep pests away.
5. Sweep Away Cobwebs and Dust
Cobwebs and dust can make your barn look messy, pose a fire hazard, and negatively impact your and your horses’ respiratory health. Sweep down the walls, ceilings, and corners (preferably when horses are outside) to improve your barn’s appearance and make the interior safer for you and your horses.
Take-Home Message
By tackling these five areas, you can transform your barn into a more organized, efficient, and hazard-free space this season. Decluttering your barn doesn’t have to be overwhelming—start small, and soon you’ll have a cleaner, safer environment for your horses and a more enjoyable space in which to work.