Just for fun: what barn tool/accessory/gadget/strategy makes your horse chores easier?

[Ponycatraz]

It isn’t for a chainsaw. You use it on a brush cutter/weed whacker but the teeth are similar to a chainsaw blade.

[Hippolyta]

Sometimes after cleaning litterboxes I wish I had a wheelbarrow to haul the dirty litter to the dumpster, rather than carrying the heavy bag.

[foggybok]

Absolutely! I was surprised they had not been mentioned yet. I LOVE them!

[foggybok]

@eightpondfarm

i have three of these wheelbarrows. The older two had inflatable tires and i replaced them with solid rubber wheels once i saw how well the new one worked. Besides all the other wheelbarrow carrying sorts ofn duties these guys perform, i can sit in it and have shade in the summer or the most comfy windbreak in the winter. All you do is set the handlebar down on the ground and slide in there. Incredibly comfortable. try it sometim

I love my rubbermaid cart. So well balanced, easy to use. I’ve had the same one for 15 years. Aired tires, but still works fine. If they ever give out 'd replace with solid ones, in the beginning, I had frequent flats, but DH did something and I haven’t had a flat for years.

[eightpondfarm]

He probably put Slime in them. great stuff. I actually didn’t even think to use it in them…i use it on other tires, but it didn’t occur to me…duh!

[Prime_Time_Rider]

Love my Rubbermaid wheelbarrow!

[OTTBs]

Thanks for the info! Never heard of “flipping” footing. I do only have about 2" of sand, didn’t know if depth was a setting on rototillers. Though the arena “rim” may be 3-4".

[PaddockWood]

Has anyone mentioned the idea of tying a ribbon around the handle of whatever you use to cut your hay strings? I just cut my FAVORITE fabric with wire ribbon and tied a long piece twice. NOT gonna lose
those scissors and it’s FUN to see the ribbon.

[SusanO]

I put hot pink duct tape on any small instruments like scissors, hoof picks, etc. Makes them a lot easier to find and I lose less things this way.

[LCDR]

For those who misplace their scissors or knife, you can use another piece of hay string to cut the strings on a bale.

How to cut twine ... With Twine?

[PeteyPie]

Very cool tip!!! Thanks!

[AnnaB264]

I have known some people with small farms and no tractor, and I don’t know how they do it!

[Julesandmel]

@Simkie

horses have extra large hay nets that are filled daily.

Can you say more about type of hay nets and how they are to fill?

[Simkie]

@Julesandmel

Can you say more about type of hay nets and how they are to fill?

Sure–I use the 50" shires nets. They’re big enough for an entire small bale. Filling isn’t hard because they’re so large, but to start when they’re unused and unstretched, it’ll be easier to stack up the hay and pull the net over the hay, instead of trying to put the hay into the net. Once you’ve used it a couple days, it’s NBD to untie the top and add flakes. Each horse has a net in their stall, and I hang a net per horse in turnout.

There are a lot of net options at this size, but Shires are CHEAP and hold up well. Every now and then, I’ll get a color that seems to go quicker–red and pink were bad for me–but for 15-20 bucks, they’re easy to replace. In general, I get a year or so out of a net.

And I see that there are more fans of the expandy hoses here, yay! Definitely look for the ones with warranties, guys! This is my last buy, with a TWO YEAR WARRANTY, WOOOOOO.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083BBNH87/

I don’t doubt at all that it’ll blow up–these things last a yearish, ime–but I’ll get a free hose! I had another one of these blow up about 11 months into a 12 month warranty, and they sent me a new one with just a pic. Fab!!

[avjudge]

I use hot pink duct tape on all my tools! Especially those used outside.

It was really out of necessity because when I’m working on fences I always put tools down the last place I use them and have never been able to break myself of that. When I was rebuilding fences here a couple years ago I found the rusty, handle-less head of a hammer that I probably put down when working on the fence’s predecessor in the 1980s. At least now that I’ve figured out this trick I find them again. (Well, almost always - I seem to have misplaced one bow saw this fall.)

(I do prefer a long ribbon on something as small as a hoof pick, though.)

[Julesandmel]

@Simkie

There are a lot of net options at this size, but Shires are CHEAP and hold up well. Every now and then, I’ll get a color that seems to go quicker–red and pink were bad for me–but for 15-20 bucks, they’re easy to replace. In general, I get a year or so out of a net.

Thanks!

[Julesandmel]

@Bluey

The one with the folding back leg the least favorite, that thing is a pain to get back out to stand cart, not necessary with other models.

Added to wish list! We have the one with the folding back leg which I hate. I will choose large Rubbermaid wheel barrow over it just about every time.

[foggybok]

@Julesandmel

Added to wish list! We have the one with the folding back leg which I hate. I will choose large Rubbermaid wheel barrow over it just about every time.

I agree, I will take the rubbermaid any time. I do use the folding leg in the arena for people to pick up manure. I often find it sitting in the corner with the leg unfolded. So I think my boarders hate it too

[OTTBs]

I lost scissors while out working on my electric tape fence, never found them. Now I’ve decided I’ll always put baling twine on the handle and hang them around my neck–long enough piece so I can use them while still around my neck.

[PaddockWood]

In college I worked in the ER and can’t help but suggest you put them in your pocket or somewhere a wee bit safer. If you tripped and fell just right you could impale yourself. It happens.

AND, I still make a case for a BIG ole beautiful tied gift wrap ribbon. So easy to see no matter the situation.