[SuckerForHorses]

As the title says....I HATE THE COLD!

Usually my horses are out, but the temperatures and wind here have been really cold; like, -30* F with the wind.

So, the past few nights, my horses have stayed in the barn.

I need suggestions for how to get up the frozen pee spots...the shavings just freeze to the rubber mats and I can't get them out. Its been so cold that I've just cleaned the best I can, and if the frozen spot remains, so be it, because I'm not leaving them out just because of a frozen pee spot in the stall.

How can I get it out? I was thinking when the weather warms next week, to sweep the shavings to the side, and where the frozen spot is, just sprinkle some salt to help break up the frozen spot, then shovel it out, and then put shavings back.

[bathsheba8542]

I have no suggestions but would like to offer up my respect and admiration for anyone who can survive in that kind of weather. I hope you get an early spring!

[SuckerForHorses]

I hope so too!

[BuddyRoo]

I've just used a shovel. Not a spade shovel but a flat ended one or a snow shovel.

At the temps you're describing, I doubt that salt is going to be very effective. Plus, you want to be careful what kind you're using because some of the deicing stuff that's sold has other chemicals in it that may not be so great for the horses to get a hold of.

Hope it warms up for you soon!

[SuckerForHorses]

I have tried the snow shovel...no go.

I'm thinking salt when it warms up a bit....like to 10*F!

I am not going to put salt down when they are in the stalls. I am thinking of sprinkling it ONLY on the pee spot, and then carefully remove, and sweep that specific spot to remove the residue. I would use one of the pet-friendly versions.

[SuckerForHorses]

I know of no way to prevent them from happening...

Right now, the pee spots remain, frozen, because I can't get them out :-(

So, I have been sifting out frozen turds, and calling it a done job.

Thankfully, I have heated buckets so I'm not dealing with frozen water...

[merrygoround]

With any luck the urinary salts will thaw it when the temp goes up.

Now, how much luck has anyone had with piled up already dampened pellets. Here too awaiting a thaw without the benefit of urinary salts.

[sk_pacer]

Pee freezes around 0°F so you are just going to have to let it warm up. Adding salt will do no good since that only works to around 10°F

[trubandloki]

The only way to deal with it is to be prepared to clean up a bigger mess when it gets warmer. Add extra bedding to cover it and move on.

[SuckerForHorses]

The only way to deal with it is to be prepared to clean up a bigger mess when it gets warmer. Add extra bedding to cover it and move on.

That's what I've been doing since I didn't really have much choice :-/

Glad to know that pee will melt around 0 - only a 23 degree increase to go before that happens!

[Belg]

Can you break it with a sledghammer?

[MistyBlue]

A blowdryer and a clothespin for your nose?

At -23* my pee freezes. Before I pee!

[sk_pacer]

FWIW, for those who live in areas where flax is grown, flax straw tht has gone through a modern combine that shreds the straw somewhat absorbs pee well and does not stick to floors but on the other side of the coin, you have a mass of frozen pee stuck to fibres to lift

[buck22]

When I need to deice something, I take a trash bag and pour a bucket of piping hot water into it, tie a knot on top and set it on the ice. Wait 10 min and its melted. Then quickly shovel up the slush with a large flat ended shovel and equally quickly dump the water in the bag so I don't have a bag with a frozen block in it

Use at least a moderately heavy duty trash bag as the hot water can stretch and break a thin crappy one and then you'll have a real mess on your hands.

[meupatdoes]

Meh, it's frozen.

Nothing will happen til it thaws so don't sweat it until then. Put cleaning shavings over it and table it for warmer weather.

[potteryshop]

At least frozen muffins are easier to scoop!

[trubandloki]

At least frozen muffins are easier to scoop!

Not when they too freeze to the mats. I have some in the over hang (not bedded) that no amount of kicking is getting the loose.

[vtdobes]

This usually happens once or twice to me depending on the weather we get in the winter. You'll just have to leave it be and once the weather warms up it'll come up easy enough....especially since it's frozen to mats.
We've had below temps this week and since I'm out in the barn (barn temp stays above zero at night) cleaning stalls at 5am the pee spots haven't had a chance to freeze solid to the mats. They are frosty though but not solid!
I have more problem with the poops in the run-in stall freezing during the day and trying to chip at them at night clean up.

[vtdobes]

Not when they too freeze to the mats. I have some in the over hang (not bedded) that no amount of kicking is getting the loose.

Same here! Even with daily cleaning....they have all day to freeze solid before night chores...

[Long Spot]

Meh, it's frozen.

Nothing will happen til it thaws so don't sweat it until then. Put cleaning shavings over it and table it for warmer weather.

Yep. You're doing the best you can and that's pretty much all you can do. Hang in there. When it does warm up, cleaning day may be less than fun, but you can't really worry/do too much about it until then.

For now, stay warm!!!!