Cleaning Horse Stalls Worksheet for 13-Year-Olds — Horse Care & Chore Skills

Instructions

Welcome, equestrian! Keeping a horse's stall clean is one of the most important jobs at the barn. It keeps your horse healthy, comfortable, and happy. Complete the activities below to test your knowledge of mucking out.

Part 1: The Right Tools for the Job

Match the tool on the left with its correct description on the right. Write the letter of the description in the blank space next to the tool name.

Part 2: Healthy Horse, Happy Horse

A clean stall is crucial for a horse's health. Answer the following questions based on your knowledge.

1. List two health problems a horse might develop from standing in a dirty, wet stall.

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2. Besides health, what is another reason to keep a stall clean? (Hint: Think about unwanted visitors!)

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3. What gas, which can damage a horse's lungs, builds up from urine in a dirty stall?

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Part 3: The Mucking Out Method

The following steps for cleaning a stall are all mixed up! Number them from 1 to 8 to put them in the correct order.

• ____ Add fresh, clean bedding to bare or thin spots.
• ____ Use a manure fork to sift through the bedding, removing all manure piles and wet spots.
• ____ Move the horse to a safe place, like a paddock or an empty stall.
• ____ Return clean water buckets and any feed tubs to the stall.
• ____ Remove all water buckets, feed tubs, and toys from the stall.
• ____ Bank the clean, leftover bedding against the walls.
• ____ Scrape the floor clean if needed and sweep the stall mats.
• ____ Dump the soiled bedding in the designated manure pile.

Part 4: Bedding Brainstorm

Different types of bedding can be used in a horse's stall. Fill in one "Pro" (a good thing) and one "Con" (a bad thing) for two of the common bedding types below.

Part 5: Barnyard Math

Solve these stall-cleaning word problems. Show your work!

1. It takes you 15 minutes to fully muck out one stall. If you are responsible for cleaning 4 stalls, how long will it take you in total?


2. A bag of fresh shavings costs $8. You need to add 2 new bags to a stall each week. How much will you spend on shavings for that one stall in a 4-week month?

Answer Key

Part 1: The Right Tools for the Job

1. D - A wide-headed fork with many tines, designed to pick up manure while letting clean bedding fall through.
2. C - A large, one-wheeled cart used to transport manure and soiled bedding to the compost pile.
3. B - Has a wide, flat blade perfect for scraping wet spots off a rubber mat or scooping up stray bits.
4. A - Used to add a fresh, dry, and comfortable layer to the stall floor.
5. E - Used to sweep the barn aisle clean after you are finished, keeping everything tidy and safe.

Part 2: Healthy Horse, Happy Horse

1. Acceptable answers include: Thrush (a hoof infection), skin infections (like rain rot or scratches), respiratory issues from dust or ammonia, attracting insects that can spread disease.
2. A clean stall helps control flies, insects, and rodents.
3. Ammonia.

Part 3: The Mucking Out Method

1. Move the horse to a safe place, like a paddock or an empty stall.
2. Remove all water buckets, feed tubs, and toys from the stall.
3. Use a manure fork to sift through the bedding, removing all manure piles and wet spots.
4. Bank the clean, leftover bedding against the walls.
5. Scrape the floor clean if needed and sweep the stall mats.
6. Dump the soiled bedding in the designated manure pile.
7. Add fresh, clean bedding to bare or thin spots.
8. Return clean water buckets and any feed tubs to the stall.

Part 4: Bedding Brainstorm (Answers will vary, but here are some examples)

Part 5: Barnyard Math

1. 15 minutes/stall x 4 stalls = 60 minutes (or 1 hour).
2. $8/bag x 2 bags/week = $16/week.
   $16/week x 4 weeks = $64 per month.