Having a wash bay in your barn can make day-to-day horse care and grooming so much easier. But it’s important that you design your wash bay correctly from the start. Here are six steps to designing the perfect wash bay!

Install Adequate Drainage

When planning out your wash bay, be sure to plan for adequate drainage. The bay’s drain should be hooked into your barn’s sewer system, so waste water is carried away from the barn. Be sure to install a drain cover to catch debris so that it doesn’t clog up the drain.

Maximize Traction

Wash bays quickly get slippery, so install a flooring to give both horses and humans maximum traction. Rubber button mats provide excellent traction and are durable enough to last for years. Their raised surface offers more grip than standard rubber stall mats, making them a great choice for any wash bay.

Install a Water Heater

Hot water is a necessity in any barn, so install a hot water heater to provide your wash bay with warm water. Having access to warm water is not only useful for bathing, but makes cleaning wounds and treating abscesses far easier.

Ensure There Is Adequate Lighting

Adequate lighting in your wash bay is a must for ensuring that your horses get squeaky clean during their baths. When installing lighting in your wash bay, opt for a strong, reliable light source. Classic Equine Equipment offers fluorescent overhead lights which are completely waterproof and pressure washable, ensuring both safety and top performance.

Use an Overhead Hose Hanger

An overhead hose hanger is the perfect way to solve the issue of a hose always being underfoot, being stepped on, and eventually being destroyed. An overhead hose hanger allows you to easily wash both sides of your horse without needing to drag the hose around your horse’s hooves. This creates a safer and easier bathing experience.

Install Heaters for Year-Round Use

After all of the trouble you’ve gone through to create your wash bay, consider installing overhead heaters so that you can use the bay year-round. Overhead heaters provide welcome warmth in the winter, and as an added bonus, the heat can help to loosen up your horse’s back muscles. The Solaria Alpha Series heaters carried by Classic Equine Equipment warm horses, people, and things, but not the air, so you get the best use of the energy.

Make sure to check out the wash bays and wash bay accessories offered by Classic Equine Equipment – we carry everything that you need to create the perfect wash bay!

Original Source: http://blog.classic-equine.com/2015/10/designing-the-perfect-wash-bay/