Facilities must be made available for storing all bedding and fodder under cover, and preferably protected on at least three sides from the weather. A Dutch barn is suitable for housing straw, hay or shavings bought in large quantities. Any such barn should be situated away from the stables because of the fire risk yet it must be practical from a working point of view. It will need to be accessed with a tractor and trailer or lorry not only from the ground but also avoiding overhead cables. Dutch barn bays are a regular 15 ft (4.5 m) wide and can be added to according to the amount of bedding and fodder to be kept. Lean-to's which are built on to existing buildings are very useful providing they are not attached to a stable block, because of the fire hazard. The 'No Smoking' regulation should, of course, extend from the stable yard to the barn area as this has the highest risk.

In barn-type stabling fodder and bedding can be stored integrally either in a spare area or on a false floor if there is enough space in the roof to fit one. In large establishments where room allows, it is convenient to bring into the barn a week's supply of bedding and fodder at a time from outside buildings. Indoor schools can also be used to store bedding at one end and can prove to be an asset at harvest when, for the sake of storage, it is more economical to buy hay and straw off the field.

Hay and Straw

Hay and straw are generally more expensive in the spring and therefore it is worth considering making storage space available in order to be able to buy larger quantities when they are cheaper.

Bales should be taken from the stack layer by layer and not just from the front. Not only does this help to save wastage but it also makes for safer handling of the bales. Any loose hay or straw should be used up immediately and not left to accumulate and be wasted. It will be trodden on, become dusty and blow around the yard.

Loose string is potentially hazardous so bales which are opened in the barn should have the string removed and tied in a knot before depositing it in a sack or bag provided for this purpose.

Stacking hay and straw outside under a plastic sheet is not recommended because the weather will cause considerable wastage. The bottom layer of any hay which has been stored in outbuildings is usually unfit to feed to horses but can be given to cattle or sheep. For this reason it is good practice to first put down a layer of straw underneath the hay. The bottom layer should be placed on its side to prevent the string from rotting.

Shavings

Shavings are available either loose or in plastic bales and hessian sacks. Plastic bales can be safely stored outdoors, providing they are not punctured or damaged by vermin. Once the plastic is pierced the bale must be used immediately before the shavings become wet. Rat bait can be placed between bales during stacking and inspected regularly. Hessian sacks will need a dry storage area, perhaps under a Dutch barn if building space is not available. Again they will need to be protected from vermin by putting poison down and checking it regularly. Once the sacks are empty they should be tied in regular bundles. Plastic bags should be burnt on an incinerator or open fire.

Routine Maintenance

All barns and storage areas should be cleaned out thoroughly at the end of each season to prevent mould and rot. There will inevitably be a build-up of spillage and waste which should be taken clear of the buildings and burnt or removed to the muck heap.

Emphasis must be placed on the control of vermin in storage areas and around the stable generally because the damage they can cause can be considerable, apart from their being a health hazard. Prevention is better than cure and a pest-control service is a worthwhile investment as it will keep the situation in check all the year round.