Farm Management

Start Now to Prevent Headaches Later by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   It’s that time of year when the reality of the next six months hits us horse owners: lots of cold, wet, dark and windy weather. For most of the Pacific Northwest you can also add “snowy … Read More

Part 2: Precautions to Help Safeguard Your Horses by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   Last month in Part 1 of this series we talked about a Pacific Northwest outbreak of blister beetles, a poisonous insect whose toxins can cause mild depression to death when ingested in alfalfa hay … Read More

Keep Your Horse’s Environment Healthy and the Neighbors Happy by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water   In the summer months especially, odors in gravel or sand paddocks can become intense—a real concern if you have neighbors close by. Besides being unpleasant for us, breathing ammonia is unhealthy for horses … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More

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 … Read More