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Oops: 13 Unfortunate Things That Can Happen in the Stable

uheldig i stalden
Not everything is always going according to plan. Shit happens ... Photo: Canva Pro

A lot of exciting things can happen when you’re in the stable. Everything from stable chores to riding can go smoothly. But that’s not always the reality. Here, we’ve gathered 13 unfortunate things that can happen in the stable — things we think many horse people have experienced. How unlucky are you in the stable? And how many of these things have you been unfortunate enough to go through?

READ ALSO: Equestrian Sport in Transition – The New Era!

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1. The Dirty Manure Pile

Not many people willingly take a tumble into a manure pile. But sometimes, it just happens. When your wheelbarrow is full, and the pile is a bit uneven, you might end up falling into it. Sometimes it’s your whole body that lands in the manure, other times just your knees. It can be hilarious for anyone watching — but walking around smelling like manure for the rest of the day is less amusing.

2. The Stubborn Clump in the Hoof

When cleaning hooves, you might encounter a particularly stubborn clump of hard mud that just won’t budge. You dig in harder, and before you know it... whoops! The entire clump ends up flying straight into your face.

3. Oops, You’re on the Ground Again

Most riders have experienced falling off a horse, which is never fun. Luckily, sometimes you don’t get hurt but just end up back on the ground due to a “silly” incident. Maybe the horse suddenly shook itself, or you jumped too far when mounting without a saddle.

4. A Horse on Your Toes

When you quickly run out to the horse in regular shoes, thinking it’ll be fine because you haven’t been stepped on in two years, of course, today is the day your 600-kg horse plants its hoof right on your toes.

5. Wearing Nice Clothes in the Stable

We all know it’s a bad idea to wear nice clothes in the stable, yet we sometimes risk it. Like when you’re heading to a family birthday but decide to stop by the horse to give it a carrot. Inevitably, that’s when the horse gives you a sloppy kiss on your white dress.

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6. Boot Stuck in the Mud

During mud season, you probably wear sturdy boots to head out to the field. But sometimes, your boot gets stuck in the mud, leaving you balancing on one foot while your other foot, now in just a sock, desperately avoids touching the mud, all while your horse eagerly approaches for a treat.

7. The Many Dangerous Tools

Stable chores can lead to all sorts of mishaps. Maybe you drop a jump pole on your own foot while setting up a course or step on a rake that’s lying the wrong way.

8. Dust, Dirt, and Spiders

Sometimes, you need to dig out something from the back of the stable, like an old saddle pad on top of a cabinet. As you pull it down, years of dust, dirt, and maybe a spider or two fall right onto your face.

9. The Tipping Wheelbarrow

When cleaning the paddock, you might leave the wheelbarrow standing while you pick up manure. Then a horse comes along and decides to tip it over, scattering everything back onto the ground. Alternatively, sometimes the wheelbarrow is simply overfilled, and it topples over on its own, and spilling all its contents.

10. Straw or hay in the Eye

Windy weather can complicate stable chores, especially when dealing with hay or straw. Sometimes, a tiny piece of hay blows straight into your eye, leaving you temporarily blind in one eye and furiously blinking to get it out.

11. The Water Hose

Nearly every horse person has forgotten to turn off the water at some point. With so many tasks to juggle, it’s easy to leave the water running while you’re cleaning stalls. Before you know it, the tank is overflowing, and there’s a giant puddle.

12. Putting on or Taking Off a Blanket in the Field

This is another thing we know we shouldn’t do but sometimes attempt anyway. You head into the field with a blanket, hoping your horse will stand still for the two minutes it takes to put it on. But halfway through, the horse decides to move, and the blanket ends up on the ground, or worse, damaged. Pro tip: bring lots of treats to keep the horse focused.

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13. The Electric Fence

We can’t talk about stable mishaps without mentioning the electric fence. Most horse people have accidentally shocked themselves at some point, whether it’s while struggling to open two gates at once or trying to squeeze through the fence only to hit the top wire with your back. It’s always unpleasant and unfortunate.


We hope that, for the most part, you don’t encounter too much bad luck in the stable. But if you do, don’t worry, because you’re definitely not alone! That can already be a feeling of relieve.

READ ALSO: 9 easy life hacks for the stable 

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