Build a Wash Rack for Horses
Building a wash rack for your horses' area provides a convenient place to spruce up your horse before a show or groom it after a rigorous training session. By designing and building your own wash rack, you can tailor it to meet your specific needs as well as those of your horses. By following these general guidelines, you can design a safe and practical horse wash rack.
Instructions
Creating the Wash Rack Floor
1. Choose an area with adequate space, at least 8 by 8 feet and preferably 10 by 12 feet, in close proximity to a water spigot. If indoors, choose a low traffic area where you can easily install a drain for the runoff. For an outdoor wash rack, drainage and runoff are the most important considerations. The soil in the area should have good runoff drainage and not be in an area where waste water could harm wildlife or pose a slip hazard.
2. Prepare the footing area for the wash rack. Most wash racks, whether indoor or outdoor, have a textured concrete base. If there is not already an existing concrete floor, you will need to lay one. Flooring options are numerous, but a concrete slab is the most widely-used and durable.
3. Dig a form about 4 to 6 inches deep and pour concrete. Use a wooden trowel, rake or even a stiff bristled broom to create a non-slip texture.
4. Place perforated rubber mats or stall mats on top of the concrete slab after it dries.
Completing the Perimeter of the Wash Rack
5. Cut lengths of galvanized steel pipe, wooden cross ties or other appropriate material to create the perimeter of the wash rack. Wash racks usually have three enclosed sides, although some use only two cross ties.
6. Secure the corners of the wash rack together. You can easily round the edges if you are using steel pipe. If using another material, make sure there are no sharp corners or edges that could injure you or your horse.
7. Attach latch hooks to the front of the wash rack to secure the horse. It's a good idea to choose latches that can quickly release in the event your horse become panicked during a wash down. You may also consider installing a chain or door at the rear open end of the wash rack to prevent a horse from backing out unexpectedly.
Setting up the Water Supply
8. Connect a hose to the nearest water spigot. Use an adequate length of hose that will allow you to wash those hard-to-reach places on your horse.
9. Choose a low pressure water sprayer attachment to put on the water hose. High pressure sprayers can startle and potentially injure your horse. A good suggestion is a long-handled plant watering nozzle or gardening wand.
10. Install a hose hook to provide a safe, out-of-the-way storage place for the hose when not in use.
Related posts
If you want to keep a horse on your property, you'll need to house it in a proper stable. Horses aren't like automobiles. They require specific care, and the stable you build needs to be as much o...
Cable runs are better than tying your dog to a post.Giving a dog enough space to run is essential to having a healthy dog that doesn't find ways to get into trouble. Bored dogs tend to dig, chew a...
Horses get colds and other cold-like illnesses.Snort, sneeze, cough...it sounds like one of your fellow horse owners has a cold, but it might just be your horse wrangling with a common, garden-var...
Write Off Horses on TaxesMany people enjoy owning horses as a hobby, but they are expensive to own and maintain. If you use them for business purposes, you may able able to deduct some of your exp...
Dogs going through a worming treatment will need their bedding cleaned.When a dog has worms several things need to be done in order to kill the worms. The dog must go through a treatment recommend...
