Alayne Blickle

Alayne Blickle began in the 1990’s as a pioneer in water conservation and natural resources conservation by creating the entrepreneurial consulting business, Horses for Clean Water, an award-winning internationally acclaimed education program that looks for horse-healthy, nature-based solutions to land management challenges. She continues this work today partnering with agencies, organizations, and horse owners throughout North America and worldwide. She is a regularly contributing writer and photojournalist to several equine publications. Alayne lives with her horse trainer husband, Matt Livengood, in southwestern Idaho where they raise and train AQHA horses and mustangs on their eco-friendly horse ranch. Contact her through the Horses for Clean Water website or through their ranch website Sweet Pepper Ranch. For more information contact Alayne at [email protected] or 206-909-0225.

Fencing Considerations for Horse Properties – Focus on Safety, Appearance, Chore Efficiency, and Budget when Planning Fencing Projects

March 2, 2022 by Alayne Blickle

Photos from Alayne Blickle.

Horse owners agree that a well-fenced property is a beautiful sight and the cornerstone to proper management. When building or modifying a horse property, a primary consideration is what type of fencing to choose, and many great options are available. Here are a few guidelines to help you make a …

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Hog Fuel, Gravel, or Sand? Winter Footing Options for Equine Confinement Areas

January 3, 2022 by Alayne Blickle

One advantage of sand is that horses love to lie down and roll on it. Photo by Alayne Blickle.

The dead of winter usually comes with footing challenges for horse owners. It’s unhealthy for horses to stand in disease-causing muck and it’s difficult to get chores done when pushing a manure cart through ankle-deep mud. Plus, there are detrimental implications for the natural world around us since dirty water …

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Pre-freeze Planting on Horse Properties – Native Plants Benefit Everyone on the Farm

December 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Red flowering currant works well in hedgerows

Fall in the Pacific Northwest (before the ground freezes) is an ideal time to plant all kinds of things— cool-season veggies, pasture grasses, perennials and both evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Of all these, native plants can be of particular importance on a horse property. Humans, horses, wildlife, and …

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Barn Owls — Nature’s Mousetrap – Erect a Nest Box to Encourage Rodent Control

November 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Photos from Alayne Blickle

Horse owners know how difficult rodent control can be on a horse property. Fall is the time of year when the mouse situation inside our barns can get out of hand. Mice and rodents can carry diseases, some serious to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, …

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Create a Winter Paddock – Considerations for Building and Locating a Sacrifice Area on Your Farm

October 1, 2021October 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Photo by Alayne Blickle

Probably the most important aspect of managing pastures is the time when you take your horses off your pasture. You can greatly improve the health and productivity of your pastures by creating and using a winter paddock or confinement area to house your horses during the winter. Early fall is …

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September To-Do List: Set Up Good Lighting! – It’s Time to Prepare for the Dark Winter

September 8, 2021September 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Paddock lighting is a definite must-have for those with outdoor confinement areas and 9 to 5 jobs. Photos by Alayne Blickle

Even though summer is just barely in the rearview mirror, fall is the time of the year for winterizing horse properties. Chore efficiency is always my mantra, and this is especially true when prepping for the cold, rainy, snowy, windy, and dark months ahead. Setting things up so the barn …

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Water-Wise Tips for Horse Owners – Do Your Part to Save Water on the Farm and Beyond

August 5, 2021August 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Using native drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping limits your need to use water. Photo from Alayne Blickle

If you live out West and manage horses on your property, you are undoubtedly pondering ways to reduce and conserve water. Many western states are suffering from prolonged drought conditions; some areas are even experiencing drinking water issues. With climate change looming, we each need to do what we can …

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10 Reasons to Create a Small-Scale Trail Course on Your Horse Property

August 5, 2021July 19, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Short trail paths created with natural objects and plantings. Photo by Alayne Blickle

Trail courses are fun for horses and riders and can be beneficial for the natural environment. Landscaping a trail course with native plants can provide food and habitat for native insects and wildlife. Add in old logs and brush and rock piles, and you have the perfect habitat for other …

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Build an Outdoor Wash Rack – Tips for Happy Horse Bathing Outside

May 17, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Photos by Alayne Blickle

Outdoor wash racks are a 3-season way to hose off or bathe your horse while allowing the water to recharge the natural hydrology of your property. Even if you already have an indoor wash stall, during the warm summer months an outdoor wash rack can provide extra bathing capacity for …

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Rediscover the Treasure of Horses – Take a Break from Farm Chores to Enjoy this Inspiring Read

March 7, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

“Horses are workmen, athletes, adventurers, accomplices. How they look is inessential. But how they go, how they are—in other words, who they are—is what makes any horse beautiful.” – Sarah Maslin Nir It may be surprising to some to learn that today there are over seven million horses in …

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Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

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