Farm Management

How to Use Plants as Fire Protection by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Last summer wildfires raged across much of Western United States, including the Pacific Northwest. Since late summer is still fire season for many parts of the Pacific Northwest and since horse owners usually live in …

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How “Jam’n” Makes Chores More Efficient by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Horse life at home is all about chore efficiency, and sometimes the simplest solutions are best. One small thing we did recently at Sweet Pepper Ranch, our horse motel and guest ranch in southwestern Idaho, has …

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Getting the Tools You Need for Pasture Management by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   It’s the right time of the year to be thinking of equipment for managing our horse properties. As we conclude this series on basic equipment for a small acreage, we offer some cost-effective suggestions …

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Wheel barrows, Manure Forks, and More by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   If you’re new or relatively new to owning horse property, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of acquiring all the equipment you’ll need to manage manure and pastures. Relax! You can actually do …

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Planning the To-do List and Locating Resources by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   In working with horse owners who are setting up small acreage for horse keeping, I often see a struggle between balancing the “to do” list and having enough time, money or other resources (such as …

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Protect the Environment and Keep Horses Healthy During Wet Weather by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Last month we reviewed things to do to prepare your paddocks for winter. Following that theme, this time we’ll look at another fall “to do,” dealing with surface water that travels towards your barn …

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Make Your Paddocks and Barn Chore-efficient by Alayne Blickle, Program Director, Horses for Clean Water   This month we’ll cover tips to help ease you through those times ahead when you least want to deal with winter’s little—and big—surprises. Buy your winter supply of hay. Be sure to look for …

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By Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Here is a fall checklist of horse pasture chores to go through this month in order to better prepare the land for the coming winter months—and have them ready for a productive growing season next spring. Bring your horses in off your …

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Combat Boredom and Manage Pastures with Track Paddocks By Alayne Blickle, Horses For Clean Water   A confinement area (or paddock) is an enclosure meant to be your horse’s outdoor living quarters when keeping them off pastures. Using a confinement area protects pastures from overgrazing and soil compaction, especially during winter …

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Make Safe, Efficient Choices for Your Horse Property By Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Having the right gate is another key towards becoming chore efficient. There is nothing more irritating than not being able to get equipment or deliveries into an area because a gate is too small …

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