Small Farm Makeover Archives – Page 2 of 10

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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Here Comes the Sun – It’s Not Good for Everyone

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 by Nikki Alvin-Smith

A well-ventilated run-in shed keeps horses comfortable on the hottest of days. Photo by Kim Roe

The bountiful benefits of the sun’s rays bring joy to the hearts of horses and humans, especially for the winter-weary residents of colder climes. But the sun is not good for everyone. Staying sheltered from the heat and burning beams can be especially important for creatures great and small, especially …

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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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Product Review: Handozer Leveling Drag – Inexpensive Tool Proves Useful for Arena Maintenance

April 15, 2021 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

A year ago, I started looking for a new arena harrow. For years I’d used a Parma Groomer that did a good job, but it was difficult for me to adjust and maintain. The points (sharp pieces of metal that screw onto the harrow teeth and cut into the soil) …

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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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The Scoop on Gravel – Footing Choices for Mud-Free Paddocks

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

I live in a river valley in the Pacific Northwest. With annual rainfall amounts close to 50 inches per year and clay soil on my farm, I’ve spent much of the 30 years I’ve lived here perfecting mud control. I’m often asked about the best footing choices for sacrifice areas. …

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Keep Your Confined Horses Happier

January 1, 2021 by Alayne Blickle

Locate your confinement area so your horse will have interaction and stimulus from the world around them. Photo by Kim Roe

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 …

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The Biology of Aging Horses – Aging Begins in the DNA

December 1, 2020 by Michael Hipp

Aging is a mystery to science. We know that we age, we know how we age, but we don’t know why we age. The answer to that question would unlock some of geriatric medicine’s most puzzling dilemmas. Before I entered university as a student, I had a particular interest 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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