The Feed Room

As we deal with heat and humidity, attention is often appropriately focused on the comfort of our animals. We sometimes neglect to think about the impact of heat and humidity on our tack and on our feed. Controlling humidity and temperature in areas where tack and feed are stored is also very important for the success of an equine operation.

Tack that is exposed to high humidity and warm temperatures can mold/mildew very quickly with resulting damage to leather. The following steps might be useful to consider:

Make certain there is adequate airflow thru the tack room. This may require having windows that allow ventilation or the addition of fans to move air thru the tack room. Locate the air intake and air exhaust areas so that air flows thru the room, not just at ceiling level. If you install exhaust fans, consider where the air will be coming in to reduce exposure to dust or contaminants.
Do not store wet saddle pads/blankets in the same area as leather tack. Do not put pads/blankets over the top of saddles on saddle racks.
Make certain there is space between saddle racks to allow airflow between saddles.
Consider using a de-humidifier in the tack room. If possible, install so it drains automatically instead of requiring manual emptying of the water container.
If design and electrical wiring are adequate, consider a window air conditioner for the tack storage area.

Feed room ventilation is also important. Feed may absorb moisture from the air and mold even if it arrives at the farm at a suitable moisture level from the store or the feed plant. If possible, store feed out of direct sunlight as moisture migration can take place within feed bags, causing moisture to accumulate in one area of the bag. This is also a problem when feed is stored in bulk bins. The feed on the sunny side can heat up and cause moisture migration in the bin. The bin should be ventilated to allow moisture to escape but must be set up so moisture does not enter when it rains! Depending on material, bins can be painted with reflective color to help reduce heating.

During warm, humid weather, do not buy large quantities of feed at one time and make certain the feed is rotated properly so that bags are used up and bins are emptied and cleaned/inspected regularly. If bags are stacked, make certain that they are stacked on pallets or material that prevents moisture contact/accumulation at the bottom of the stack. Stacking bags directly on top of concrete or dirt floor makes the bottom bags very prone to getting damp and molding.

Pest control is also important for both tack and feed storage areas. Rodents can quickly damage tack and can contaminate feed. Keeping the areas clean and using commercial pest control may be one option to consider.

Keeping both tack and feed protected from excess heat and humidity is an important part of barn design and barn management!

Welcome to July! We are in the full swing of summer with heat and humidity in many regions of North America. The higher temperature and moisture levels common this time of year can make feed freshness a challenge, requiring extra attention to how feed is stored. Read on for a few tips on storing horse feed for freshness, and see how well your barn is set up to store feed.

Many of us purchase feed by the bag and transfer the contents into a container which is kept in a feed room or designated area of the barn or shed. The container that feed is kept in as well as the location of the container play an important role in how well the feed stays fresh.

If possible, use of a waterproof, seal-able container to store your feed. The container should be able to keep pests such as mice and insects from enjoying an “All You Can Eat Buffet” on your dime. A waterproof container will insure the feed stays dry if there is unexpected water leakage into the area.

The location that the feed bin or container is kept is also important. If you have a designated feed room or area in your facility, check to see that it is not exposed to unnecessary moisture such as a leak in the roof or sweating pipes overhead. Elevating the bin off the floor will help keep feed dry should there be rain-in or minor flooding. Also, check to see if your feed bin is sitting in the hottest part of your barn or shed. For metal sided buildings, this could be the South or West wall which receive the strongest of the sun’s rays and tend to hold heat longer. Relocating the bin to a cooler or dryer area will go a long way in keeping your feed fresh.

Whenever possible, try to practice inventory management of feed in the form of FIFO; an acronym which stands for First In First Out. FIFO is a method to manage the freshness of perishable goods such as produce, baked goods or dairy products. The premise can also be applied to feed, where feed already in the bin is fed prior to the feed that was just purchased. Also, between feed rotations, periodically wash and thoroughly dry the container to help get rid of build-up at the bottom. Using this method can ensure that the feed you are scooping has not aged beyond its ideal shelf life.

Taking some time to check these few steps will go a long way in keeping your horse feed fresh. Stay tuned for a future post regarding factors that impact the shelf life of your feed! Until then, happy riding!

The Feed Room

Tag: Feed Room

Storing Horse Feed for Freshness