Organize your supply room

While it may not have the “wow” factor of a spectacular arena, tack room or viewing lounge, the feed room is an essential part of any stable. It must be planned as carefully as any other aspect of a barn.

We asked the owners of two large stables for their advice on planning and organizing their feed rooms. You will find them useful whether you operate a large equestrian facility or a small private stable for a few horses at home.

Claire Hunter is the founder and owner of Braecrest Farm, a sport horse breeding and training business in Oro-Medonte, Ontario that produces elite hunter and show jumping prospects. Melanie Michaels Ryan and her husband John Ryan own JohnMel Stables in Puslinch, Ontario, a five-star facility where they breed racehorses and riding horses and offer classical dressage, riding lessons, training in horsemanship as well as equine-assisted therapy and learning.

Here are their top 10 power room tips and tricks:

1. Location

Hunter says that should be your first consideration. The feed room should be easily accessible, but not so close that it disrupts the peaceful environment of the barn. The JohnMel feed room has two doors: one opening into the barn and a second door on the exterior wall so feed shipments can be delivered directly to the feed room from outside.

2. Ventilation and insulation

Ventilation is necessary to maintain food quality because fresh air prevents mold growth and spoilage. Hunter suggests installing windows that can be opened and closed as needed, or installing a ventilation system. She says insulating the feed room to regulate temperature and humidity is a good idea, because extreme conditions harm food quality.

3. Storage Containers

Invest in containers that will repel pests and moisture. Hunter likes tightly sealed metal bins or plastic containers because they prevent insects and rodents from getting into the food. She labels the containers to identify the type of food and its expiration date.

Michaels Ryan “considered doing something fancy” for food storage at JohnMel, but ultimately opted to buy sturdy rubberized trash cans from Canadian Tire lined up against one wall. They are easy to fill and simple to clean. She also says that a refrigerator is a useful addition for storing medications, etc., which need to be kept cool.

4. Shelving and organization

Hunter points out that this is the key to keeping your power room clean and efficient. She likes shelves that are easy to clean and maintain, and she places supplements and medications in clear storage bins or labeled containers on the shelves, making it quick to find what you need. Michaels Ryan has beautiful custom wood cabinets along one wall of the food room and a long counter for easy food preparation.

Hunter has whiteboards in his feed room to track horses and their individual diets, but Michaels Ryan plans to install a digital monitor where information can be entered from a keyboard or cell phone .

5. Lighting

Barn owners should be able to inspect feed for quality and accuracy, read medication instructions, etc., and bright, energy-efficient lighting will make this easier, especially at busy times. feeding early in the morning and evening.

6. Convenient layout

Keep accessibility in mind when designing your power room, says Hunter. You want to have enough space to move around comfortably and shelves and storage at an easy-to-reach height. Hunter says you can never have enough storage and you always build more than you think you need. Michaels Ryan agrees – despite his 12′ x 24′ power room, “if I had my choices, I would go bigger in terms of size.” We never have enough.

7. Pest Control

Hunter advises sealing gaps or cracks in walls and floors to prevent pest infiltration and regularly inspecting and cleaning the feed room to remove any potential attractants. Michaels Ryan says cats alone aren’t enough to control rodents because they can’t keep a large barn completely pest-free. She brings in a pest control expert twice a year to set up bait stations for mice and rats.

8. Cleaning

Both stable owners agree that a sink is essential in a feed room. Opt for a utility sink large enough to accommodate cleaning buckets and incorporate counter space. Michaels Ryan suggests adding a strainer over the sink drain to catch debris and prevent clogging, such as when preparing beet pulp. Hunter says a floor drain is a great addition because it makes pressure washing floors or cleaning up accidental spills easier.

9. Fire safety

Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be installed in the power room and ensure you have clear escape routes in case of an emergency.

10. Food delivery

Michaels Ryan liked his Uline plastic cart that has buckets containing each horse’s feed so his employees don’t have to make multiple trips.