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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
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 … Read More
“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 … Read More
Creating & Using a Sacrifice Area: Your Start Now for Better Pastures Next Summer! Part II Probably the best thing you can do for your pasture is take your horses off of it in the winter. Confining your horses to a winter paddock or “sacrifice area” will greatly improve the … Read More
Winter can be a challenging time for riders and our horses. Shorter days with inclement weather can make finding time to ride a challenge. Horses confined in paddocks or dry lots during winter still need something to do. Increasing turnout time, allowing social interactions between horses, and providing sufficient forage … Read More
Creating & Using a Sacrifice Area: Your Start Now for Better Pastures Next Summer! Part 1 Don’t let this mild winter fool you – the most important part of managing pastures is the time when you take your horses off your pasture. By creating and using a winter paddock or … Read More
I discovered the joys of a “real” mounting block about ten years ago when I tore my right anterior cruciate ligament and several other key ligaments that stabilized that knee joint. After the requisite surgery, my wait to get back on my horse was going to be six or more … Read More
Footing is an important consideration for confinement areas. Using some type of footing, at least in the high traffic areas, will reduce mud by keeping your horse off the soil surface and avoiding erosion. Less mud equals less chance of nutrients and sediments running off and polluting surface waters, too. … Read More
