A  consulting client in the machine shop business told me today that a new (used) forklift he recently purchased was due for a paint job with a brush and a gallon of "John Deere yellow" tractor paint at the end of the week.

He joked about his passion for keeping tools and machines clean and painted, a condition he refers to as "auction ready".  When his former employers put paint on machines, the workforce always assumed it was because the business was failing and would be auctioned off soon.

Not the case with my client, but a good practice for all businesses including horse businesses.  The cost of a gallon of paint and a few hours labor is no more than it costs to:

1. Keep tack clean and repaired
2. Trim horse muzzles and ears and pull manes and tails
3. Bathe horses  and maintain "show ready"

While you aren't planning to have an auction in a few weeks either, being auction or show ready all of the time keeps up a good first impression, improves employee morale and attitude and makes your business and horses more valuable.

Spring cleaning is a good four season practice.