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Horse & Livestock Barn Safety Tips
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When discussing barn safety it’s necessary to keep
both human and animal safety in mind. The following are some general
horse and livestock barn safety tips and suggestions. While it is
impossible to eliminate all accident risk factors by adopting a
commitment to safety it will go a long way to protecting you and your
equine friends.
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The first step in barn safety is to acknowledge
that accidents do occur. Every barn should be equipped with a
readily accessible and well stocked first aid kit. Generally, The
first aid kit should include an assortment of bandages, sterile
non-stick gauze pads, adhesive tape, elastic bandages, antibiotic
cream (triple-biotic, Neosporin, etc.), Q-tips, tweezers, sharp pair
of scissors, trauma shears (to cut away clothing), antiseptic
(hydrogen peroxide), eye wash solution (saline), disposable instant
cold packs, alcohol wipes, surgical gloves, flashlight and CPR
mouthpiece. Also, build a first aid kit for your animals and be sure
to include your veterinarian’s emergency numbers in the kit.
Remember to check the expiration dates on all medications from time
to time to ensure they haven't expired.
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Keep all potentially harmful chemicals, paints,
pesticides, fertilizers and veterinarian prescribed medications out
of the reach of curious animals and children by locking them
securely in a closed storage room or locker.
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Barn doors, doorways and barn aisles should be
free of obstructions and sharp projections that might injure you or
your animals. Ideally, keep tack trunks, brooms, pitchforks,
shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. in a designated storage area that is
safely away from mischievous animals. Floors should be kept clean
and provide satisfactory traction for the animals. Remember to store
barn utility items so that no one can strike their head on them and
never leave halters and lead ropes on the floor where you or your
horse could trip over them.
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All grooming and wash stalls should be well
lighted work areas with good water drainage and ventilation.
Crossties with safety release snaps should be provided to secure
horses. Wash areas should be kept clean and tidy with all wash hoses
neatly hung to prevent entanglement. All water sources inside the
barn should be properly grounded to prevent accidental electrical
shock. All electrical outlets in wash stall areas should be equipped
with ground fault circuit interruption. Tack rooms should be of
sufficient size and rack space to allow storage of all your gear in
order to prevent them from cluttering the floor and impeding barn
traffic flow.
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Clearly label all electrical switches. The
exterior and the interior of the barn should have ample UL approved
lighting with logically placed light switches such as near the main
barn entry doors. All electrical wiring and switches should be
encased in weather proof metal boxes and metal conduit. Light
fixtures should be covered with heavy duty screening wire and kept
out of reach of curious horses. Consider motion detected exterior
barn lights to alert you of someone approaching the barn after dark.
If the barn budget allows also consider closed circuit video
monitoring/security, and fire sprinkler systems.
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Keep all hay safely stored away from heat and
electrical sources. If possible, store all combustible materials
such as hay, straw, wood shavings, solvents and gasoline in a
separate storage building away from horses and livestock. Install
fire extinguishers in all tack, feed, electrical and storage rooms
and at all barn entrances. Haylofts, if your barn is so equipped,
should have hand rails installed around the loft area, stairs and
ladder / stair well openings. Any hayloft ladders should be firmly
and permanently attached to the barn walls. Periodically check and
replace any loose guardrails or malfunctioning door latches.
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All feed, grain and other treats should be kept
in rodent and weather proof containers that are not accessible to
horses or livestock. Rodent-proofing your barn will not only help
prevent feed contamination but will keep the feed dry, clean and
reduce dust. Trees, weeds, and grass close to the barn should be
kept well trimmed to reduce rodent populations and serve as a fire
break. Consider installing rain gutters and down spouts to divert
water away from moisture problem areas near the barn.
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Provide a sufficient number of garbage cans
inside and outside the barn. All unnecessary trash, wood shavings,
and debris should be removed frequently to prevent rodents and
reduce fire hazards.
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Horse stall doors and latches should open
easily and fully. Stall walls should be smooth and free of any sharp
items or projections. Stall windows should be made of safety glass
or Plexiglas and covered with steel bars or metal screening. Barn
aisles and stall floors should be kept level to reduce the danger of
trips and falls. Consider installing slip resistant floor coverings
in any problem areas. Level any floor areas in need of attention as
soon as possible.
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Make it a habit to do periodic walk-thru safety
checks of the barn, corrals and run-in sheds looking for possible
hazards such as broken stall and gate latches, loose hayloft guard
railings, loose or curled stall mats, cracked or broken windows,
splintered or broken boards, protruding screws, nails or brackets,
sharp edges on feed tubs and water buckets.
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