Are you stable ready?

When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, it often seems too early to start thinking about getting the stable ready for your horse in the winter, but as we all know, the weather is unpredictable and being prepared early is always good. Plus, it helps to spread the cost of any new stabling items you may need to order, allowing you to budget better.

At Millbry Hill, we understand the importance of having everything you need for your horse's stable this season, so we have put together a collection of products from our best-selling ranges that we think are must-haves..

If you have rubber matting in your stable, it's important to check it thoroughly before bringing your horse in for winter. It may have degraded over time and need replacing to ensure your horse doesn't injure itself overnight.

Choosing the right bedding is equally as important, with the cost of living becoming increasingly expensive, you need to ensure your horse's health and well-being when choosing the type of bedding that's both right for them and your pocket. There are many great choices of horse bedding available from leading brands, such as shavings, wood pellets, wood pulp and straw. Each bedding type has something different to offer, some are easy to manage, some more cost-effective and some can be ideal for horses with respiratory problems.

Not sure what bedding is right for you? Then browse our selection of horse bedding here.

The right haynet or haylage net can make the world of difference when it comes to packing and hanging hay or haylage for your horse. There are a number of different sizes to choose from with varying hole widths to help extend the eating time for greedy horses and reduce waste on the floor, meaning less work for you when mucking out. Forage is an important part of the horse's diet and a good net is a must.

We have a wide collection of haynets and haylage nets in many colours and sizes. Alternatively, a popular choice amongst horse owners is to give your horse it's hay/haylage using a hay bar. 

You can never have enough buckets. Perfect for kitting out your stable, feed room and horsebox. They are available in a wide array of colours, so you can choose your favourite and have them all matching.

Feed buckets should be robust and durable, especially if feeding on the stable floor with the risk of your horse standing on it. Tubtrugs and rubber skips are a popular choice for their flexibility.

Portable mangers are great for over the door feeding in the stable or field. Easy to clean and take away, they can be quick and easy to use and can be hung at various heights.

Shop here for our selection of best-selling buckets to suit all feeding and watering needs.

Having the right tool for the job speeds up the process and ease of work involved. Depending on your choice of bedding, you will need either a shavings fork, manure fork or chip fork for mucking out your stable, along with a wheelbarrow to carry the muck and a good broom to clean up afterwards. All of your equipment should be in good condition and for any new equipment, with a wide selection of colours to choose from, you can even match your mucking out equipment with your haynets and buckets for the complete look on the yard.

But what if your horse gets bored being stabled over winter? Stable toys are a great way to relieve that boredom, keeping your horse entertained for hours working out how to get that tasty treat. From Likits to treat balls, Boredom Breakers to Jolly Balls, there is something perfect for every horse or pony.

There are many things to consider when getting your stable ready for your horse and all the products you use must be right for you, your horse and your budget. Browse through the products that we have available in our Stable and Yard collection to find your essential stable equipment this season.

For more about which bedding is best for your horse, check out our Which Horse Bedding is Best blog.