Winter Run-In Suggestions

[Sar665]

I am trying to be prepared for winter and I currently have a 30' x 20' run-in that my 2 horses use as shelter. I could put up temporary stalls, but it wouldn't leave much room to still be a run-in. Basically it is an old cow barn that I have converted to be used as a run-in. The ground is concrete and I have their water trough in there. I currently do not put shavings or mats down as they don't come in there much. I'm thinking that when the temperature gets cold as I do live in the Chicagoland area that I might want to put something down as they will be spending more time in there. Any suggestions? It is a rather large area to put shavings down in. I was trying to think of some way to maybe section out an area to put shavings in. Has anyone ever tried that? Looking for suggestions. Thanks.

[SMF11]

I'm doing the same thing with a very old barn, with a concrete floor. My plan is to put stall mats down, textured side up. If I then need shavings b/c it gets slippery I can always add them. But I'm hoping to not have to.

Keeping the run-in from not getting disgusting if they end up peeing and pooping in it would be time and labor intensive, I think.

[Nlevie]

Well I understand the hesitation in using bedding as they will probably just poop & pee in it, but the reason they aren't spending time in there is because it is hard and uncomfortable to stand on. And they certainly won't lay down on it for the same reasons. If you don't have a reasonable source for bulk shavings, maybe you could try sand or wood chips ? I would want my horses to feel comfortable staying in there when the weather is bad and to lay down if needed ?

[dmalbone]

I'm actually on here trying to figure out what to use as footing in our run-in, but living in Indiana (and formerly chicagoland NW Indiana) I can tell you that the concrete DEFINITELY needs something, not just for their comfort but safety. Even if they hit rubber mats with icy hooves they could go flying... I would never have exposed concrete in the snow/ice/etc. Unless you want to break up the concrete, I would at the very least put rubber mats down and bed on top of that during the winter. Again, even the rubber mats could get very slippery when icy. I'm sure other people will have more helpful suggestions though! :)

[Sar665]

Thanks for the feedback. Nlevie- when it rains and gets cold out they do spend the night in there, but that is a good point that they probably won't lie down because it really isn't going to be that comfortable.

[dmalbone]

the reason they aren't spending time in there is because it is hard and uncomfortable to stand on.
DITTO!

[ttldr1]

I would do mats with shavings. Concrete is not only cold and hard in the winter months up north (I used to live in MI so I am familiar with your winters) but as already stated dangerous. As far as them messing in there that kind of goes with the territory but my gelding quickley figured out that pooping and peeing in his run in was not really a good idea if he also wanted to lay down in there. The first 6 months it was a battle keeping it clean out but once he figured it out he will not go in his shed. He steps out and away, does what he has to do then heads back in.

[ponygrl25]

You might want to try putting bluestone dust in half of it and stall mats and bedding in the other half. You may be able to train them to potty in the stone dust instead of the bedding, where it is easier to clean (outside is optimal, but sometimes not possible). Good luck:cool:

[Bluey]

I have seen people put sand down on old concrete pads, the coarser sand and try to keep it picked up.
Every few years, they scrape the old sand off and dump new sand in there.

Some people leave the manure there as deep litter bedding under the sheds and clean it up some twice a year.
I have never done that, but have been where they do it, in their sheds with runs and, in our dry climate, it was not a bad bedding.
The horses used it like regular bedding and laid down and seemed to like it.

[Penthilisea]

One reason bedding for stall kept horses gets so expensive is that due to the sheer amount of time the horse spends trampling it, much of the bedding is ruined, above and beyond that which is needed to absorb muck and urine. Ideally in a run-in capacity bedding will last significantly longer, as the horse will not be useing it as a primary waste spot, ESPECIALLY if you do NOT feed them in there. Might try giving it a shot for a few weeks, you may be surprised at how long bedding holds up when the horse isn't trapped in a stall 6-16 hours!