The official newsletter of Horses for Clean Water, http://www.horsesforcleanwater.com
Published on the 10th of each month by Alayne Blickle, Director of Horses for Clean Water

	Stall Cleaner In Training Onesie Priced at $11.97 Take a look at this month’s featured HCW product. And don’t forget to browse our CafePress store and find something that will show your support for HCW programs and the environmentally sensitive horsekeeping message!

	In this issue... This Month’s Message: The Latest and Greatest from the Rockin’ Circle C Tip of the month: The swallows are coming—are you ready? Building a Nestbox Barn Swallow Diary Farm Focus: The Red Barn in Oakland Bay, WA Shopping for Used Tack Educational Events

This Month’s Message: The Latest and Greatest from the Rockin’ Circle C

by Elizabeth Clark

Greetings TGH readers! Alayne asked me to give a brief update on me and my horses here at the Rockin’ Circle C. Ariel, our National Show Horse, is retired from most riding activities. She and I have a 10+ year history together and she has taught me a bunch! If you ever have had a horse that is highly sensitive and has a strong personality, you know what I mean. She has earned her early retirement. Buena, rescued from imminent slaughter, is doing quite well. Some of you may have remembered a bit of her story from an earlier issue of TGH. She is becoming a nice saddle horse and I look forward to spending LOTS of time in the saddle with her this year.

In general, it’s going to be a big year for me. I turned the big four-oh in February and I have lots of things planned for this year (most of which are horse-related, of course). In addition to my HCW work, I have been making and selling Rhythm Beads for the past year or so, and that area of my life seems to be expanding. Buena and I will be taking our annual camping trip to eastern Washington in April with a bunch of girlfriends. My husband Ben will be riding his bicycle in RATPOD (Ride Around The Pioneers in One Day) in Dillon/Big Hole Valley, Montana. It is a fundraiser for Camp Mak-A-Dream near Missoula, a kids’ cancer camp. Buena and another horse (to be determined) and I will be heading east to Sheridan, Wyoming to ride with Buck Brannaman for a week on his ranch along with some other girlfriends. When I return from that, it will be time to start preparing for my son Jackson’s 4th birthday! And there are many other trips and events planned throughout the summer! Whew!

Back here at the Rockin’ Circle C we will once again be haying our field. Last year our yield was down a bit from the year before, but the quality of the hay was MUCH better. We also have many projects related to setting up our sacrifice area, invasive weed management, and working on finishing up the bathroom remodel on our century-plus old house! There’s NEVER a dull moment here in Enumclaw, that’s for sure!

Well, that’s my update. As always, the whole staff here at HCW loves hearing from our readers. Please feel free to drop us a note and let us know what you are up to or if you have a question that you need answered! We really enjoy getting your feedback and trying to figure out how to answer some of those questions that are eating away at you. The best ideas always come from YOU, the readers!

Get out there and ride and “Enjoy the music!”

	Tip of the month: The swallows are coming—are you ready? March heralds the return of the family of swallows—Violet-green Swallows, Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows and Barn Swallows are some of the more common ones seen around horse properties. These slender-bodied birds with long pointed wings spend their winters in Central and South America and return to North America around the middle of March. Swallows are voracious insect eaters, which elevates them to a place of importance on horse properties. A couple pairs of swallows will control insects for you better than any bug zapper. Plus, they are beautiful and fun to watch as they perform their aerial acrobatics! Now is the time to get your nest boxes ready and hung so the returning swallows will be encouraged to take up residence while hunting insects on YOUR property this spring and summer! Remember: You must use nest boxes designed for the specific type of swallow you have. Consult your local Audubon chapter, birding organization, extension office, library or the internet for advice on the types and sources of nesting boxes. Or purchase The Birdhouse Book: Building Houses, Feeders, and Baths through this Amazon link and help support HCW programs.

Building a Nestbox

by Elizabeth Clark

This past holiday season my husband Ben built a small quantity of nestboxes to give to family and friends for gifts. The following instructions are the plans he used to construct the boxes. He used leftover/scrap cedar planking acquired at little or no cost. The following plans fromthe WDFW Backyard Wildife Program are what he used to make the boxes.

Barn Swallow Diary

by April LaLande

Week 1: March 2006

The barn swallows showed up today! I am eager to see what they think of the new nesting arrangement I created for them earlier in the month. We’ve had the barn swallows come for four years now, and each year their family grows. What started out as one small nest on top of a stall light turned into five really large nests hanging down over the lights. We were a little concerned about turning on the lights for fear of a fire, or of “cooking” the little babies; it gets pretty hot up there in the summer, even without lights! Hopefully the new arrangements I have made will make us all happy—we like having the barn swallows around for their voracious bug and fly eating habits. It makes it worth putting up with their noise and droppings all over the horses’ backs!

Week 2

I’m no bird expert, but I do know swallows are smart and can learn new behaviors. The first year they were here they neglected to teach the babies how to walk out of the nest before learning to fly. Each morning as we went into Max’s stall we were saddened to see a baby on the floor, dead from a fall. The adults were clearly distressed, and after losing three babies they learned to make sure there was always a sentry at the nest to help the babies walk onto the thin bar of conduit before learning to fly.

I thought they would be really happy to see their new little nest platforms I had made out of scraps of wood (I had just about killed myself putting them up in strategic places that weren’t right over the horses or in the hay room). Wrong! After an initial “test sit” on the platforms, it was nothing doing for them. I had put gutter guard around their old nest sites above the lights and as they came chirping into the barn to check out last year’s abode their happy chatter soon turned into the most awful squawking. I swear they looked right down at me screeching like they knew I was to blame! I had no idea they could be so noisy.

They are still sitting right by the old nests squawking at me every time I come in the barn. One will hang on the cage around the light while another comes in with bits of hay not knowing where to put it.

They just need some time, I told my husband. He’s not too happy with the squawking and dive-bombing we now have to endure while doing our chores!

Week 3

The squawking is really getting to me. I decided to get the tall ladder out and crawl 20 feet up to the platforms with some bits of hay in hand. “Here guys, these nests are for you!” I said, feeling a little foolish. After putting the hay on the platforms there were a few “test sits” but soon they scatter all the hay off and go back to clinging onto the wire around the lights. “Geeze,” I’m thinking. “All this was for nothing? Maybe they’ll leave us?”

Week 4

The squawking is dying down, hooray! One morning this week I happened to look up and check out the platforms. It looks like they’ve started a nest! After watching for a while, sure enough, they were bringing bits of things to put on the platforms. Happy day for me! The horses didn’t seem to mind all the noise this month nearly as much as we did.

Late May

Looks like our little remodeling effort paid off! Four of the five platforms are in use and the first babies have hatched. They did manage to build one nest on the wire around a light, but it was up a little higher so not as dangerous.

In total, we had six nests and all the babies lived, giving us enough “swallow power” to eat over 100,000 bugs a day by the end of the summer. We were happy our little experiment worked out okay. Which reminds me, I’ll need to go out and double barricade the one light before they make their return this spring!

Farm Focus: The Red Barn in Oakland Bay, WA

Join HCW in North Mason County for a commercial horse farm tour at The Red Barn on Saturday, March 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. This 3.5-acre boarding facility is home to 14 horses. Find out how this business balances the needs of horses, horse owners, the land, the neighborhood AND the business.

What you’ll see:

Barns, arena, paddocks with gravel footing, good drainage options, a manure storage shed and small acreage pastures.

Learn about:

The local composter and landscaper who uses their stall waste.

Find out:

How environmentally-friendly horse-keeping can be beneficial for horse health, chore efficiency, farm productivity, the environment AND it can be good for business as well!

FREE and open to anyone!

Registration and directions:

Thurston County residents please e-mail Sara Carter or call 360-754-3588.

Mason County residents please e-mail Karin Strelioff or call 360-427-9436.

Purchasing used tack is a great opportunity for recycling—reducing and reusing are important parts of decreasing the solid waste stream in our society. This article is brought to us by Pat Pehling, 4-H Volunteer Program Leader, WSU Snohomish County Extension. It offers tips on what to look for and consider when purchasing used tack. The Snohomish 4-H horse program is famous for its huge tack sale held each year the first weekend in March in Monroe, Washington. If you’ve never been to it there are few words to describe its sheer size and volume.

For folks in the Puget Sound area, another large-scale tack sale is coming up on Saturday, March 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 5220 132nd Ave. N.E., Bellevue, Washington. This tack sale is being held by the Lake Washington Saddle Club, the club that helps Washington State Parks manage our wonderful Bridle Trails Park in Kirkland. Proceeds from the tack sale will be used to help renovate the new Acheson Arena, an indoor arena, barn and pasture, which will all eventually be part of the public equestrian facilities available at Bridle Trails. Come shop for some good gear and for a good cause!

Shopping for Used Tack

by Pat Pehling, Snohomish County 4-H Horse Program

Most tack sales, swap meets and garage sales do not allow refunds or exchange, so when you purchase tack at these events, it is very important for it to be the right size and fit, and you want to make sure that it is in a safe, usable condition. Here are some guidelines for purchasing tack when you can’t take your horse along—which is the ideal way to fit equipment, but not always possible!

General Guidelines:

• Check the quality and condition of the leather. It should be soft and supple with no deep cracks.
• Check “wear” places for unsoundness (any place where leather attaches to hardware, such as buckles, etc.)
• Check that holes are punched in the center of the piece.
• Check for any sharpness on the side of tack that will be against the horse—inside bridles, bit mouthpieces and shanks, underside of saddles, inside of breast collars, inside of girths.

Saddles:

• Fit - Fit of a saddle is very critical. A saddle that does not fit properly can do permanent damage and affects the way a horse moves and their attitude. A horse that is uncomfortable or in pain will not be cooperative and attentive to the rider!
• Width of the Tree - A narrow saddle can pinch the withers and cause problems. A tree that is too wide can sit on the top of the withers and cause serious damage. To make a model, use a straightened out metal clothes hanger and re-bend it to follow the shape and width of your horse’s withers from side to side while the horse is standing square on firm, level ground. You can then place the hanger on a piece of cardboard, mark the outline, cut it out and take that model to the sale (metal sometimes changes shape as it is transported). When selecting a saddle, choose one that suits you and your purpose. Then have a partner hold the saddle, spreading the front skirts as if it were on a horse. Insert the model of your horse’s withers to determine if the tree is the correct shape. The shape of the saddle should closely follow the shape of the model. There must be at least 1 1/2 inches between the gullet of the saddle (the fork) and the withers of the horse. More than 3 inches would indicate that the tree is too narrow.
• Length of the Skirts - Measure from the back of the horse’s shoulder blade just below the withers to the point of the hip. The skirts of the saddle should not reach the point of the hip—a clearance of at least 2 to 3 inches is recommended. Small horses, especially some Arabians, require round skirts.

7 Points of Saddle Fitting

1. Balance - Center of the saddle (seat area) should lie parallel to the floor on the horse’s back.
2. Straightness - Saddle should not fall off to one side when viewed from the back. Tree points should be behind both scapula (shoulder blades).
3. Wither Clearance - Clearance at the withers should be 2-3 fingers between the pommel of the saddle and the horse’s withers (applying slight pressure to saddle).
4. Gullet Width - Wide enough not to interfere with spinal processes or musculature of the horse’s back.
5. Full Panel Contact - Should touch the horse’s back evenly all the way from front to back. Should not be hollow or rock back and forth.
6. Billet or Latigo Alignment - Billets should hang perpendicular to the ground so that the girth is not angled (i.e., positioned properly).
7. Shoulder Angle - Panel points should be flush with the shoulder to position the saddle properly.

Bridles:

• Measure from the corner of the mouth on one side, over the poll to the corner of the mouth on the other side. This measurement will help you determine whether a headstall will be small or large enough.
• Measure either a brow band that fits well or measure from behind the ears around the forehead to the other side. Browbands, especially on English bridles, do come in various sizes.
• Measure the throatlatch and allow extra space. Throatlatches should never be tight.

Bits:

Bits come in sizes from 3 1/2 inches to 6 1/2 inches. The width should be comfortable—it should not pinch or have room to move side to side. Always measure inside the shanks. Typical pony size is 4 to 4 l/2 inches. Typical small horse/Arabian size is 4 l/2 to 4 3/4 inches. Typical horse size is 5 inches, although large horses or horses with wide heads may require 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches.

• Shanks - May be fixed or loose. Entire length may not exceed 8 l/2 inches.
• Metal
  
  • Aluminum - dries the mouth, not recommended
  • Stainless Steel - very good
  • Sweet Iron - looks black, tastes sweet
  • Never-Rust - satisfactory, stainless is better
  • Copper mouth - encourages moisture, very good
  • Chrome plated - cheapest, however it will rust and can develop sharp edges
• Mouth - Must be smooth and comfortable. Large diameter mouthpieces are more gentle while small diameter mouthpieces are more severe. A roller may help keep the tongue under the bit and encourages a moist mouth. A forward curve and/or higher port allows more tongue release.

Girths

Make sure they are sound and safe!

• Western - Measure under the barrel from the point of the elbow on one side to the point of the elbow on the other side then add 10 to 12 inches. Most horses do fine with a 32 inch cinch. A small horse may require a shorter cinch. Just be sure that the cinch rings are above the elbow to avoid interference with action and possible saddle sores.
• English - With the English saddle in place, measure from the center hole on one side, under the barrel to the center hole on the other side. If a horse is underweight, be sure to add 3 to 4 inches. If an English saddle is not available, measure the circumference of the horse just behind the withers and subtract about 1/3.

Remember that the most beautiful piece of tack is only worth having if it fits properly and is safe!!!

Educational Events

• Have the winter storms done you in?
• Are you tired of wading through mud and muck to care for your horses?
• Would you like to find some chore-efficient ways to set up your horse property?

Then join Horses Clean Water at the following events to find out about great ways to manage manure, banish mud and grow more grass! Check out the website, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com, for new events added regularly.

Oakland Bay, WA
Commercial Horse Farm Tour
Saturday, March 17th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon FREE and open to anyone!	Join HCW in South Mason County and tour this 3.5-acre boarding facility that is home to 14 horses. Find out how this business balances the needs of horses, horse owners, the land, the neighborhood AND the business. View barns, arena, paddocks with gravel footing, good drainage options, a manure storage structure and small acreage pastures. Learn about the local company that utilitizes the stall waste. See how environmentally-friendly horse-keeping can be beneficial for horse health, chore efficiency, farm productivity, the environment AND it can be good for business as well! Registration and directions: Thurston County, e-mail Sara Carter or call 360-754-3588. In Mason County, e-mail Karin Strelioff or call 360-427-9436.

Laurel, Maryland
Washington, D.C. Area Workshop
Tuesday, March 20th All day Details TBD	HCW visits the Washington, D.C. vicinity. Join HCW in an all-day workshop on mud and manure management options held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s National Visitor’s Center. For more information contact NRCS State Grazing Specialist Elmer Dengler.

Gainesville, Virginia
Washington, D.C. Area Workshop
Wednesday, March 21st All day Details TBD	Join HCW for the second of two days of HCW presentations in the Washington, D.C. area, an all-day workshop in Gainesville, VA. Topics include: Natural Ways; learn natural techniques to control mud, dust, odors, weeds and bugs. The second part will be Great Ways to Grow More Horse Pasture! Learn basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, rotational grazing and managing small, grassy areas. We will also cover basic small farm equipment as well as fencing. Make changes now so your pastures will be more productive and nicer to enjoy this summer as well as healthier for your horse! For more information contact Kate Norris, District Manager/Conservation Specialist, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, 703-594-3621.

Western Washington area
Katy Watts in WA
April 20th and 21st Location TBD	Katy Watts of Safergrass.org is coming to Western WA! Mark your calendar now! Gain the latest information and current research on the prevention of grass founder in horses—and find out how you can manage your pastures to keep your horse healthier. STAY TUNED for more details! E-mail Alayne for more information.

Redmond, WA
Spring your horse farm into summer!
Saturday, April, 28th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon FREE!	Tour this Redmond horse farm to learn about sacrifice areas and footing choices, dealing with paddock odor challenges, composting manure and utilizing the finished product, using free conveyor belting for mud management, and managing small pastures to make them more productive. Pre-registration is required as participation is limited. King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x125 or e-mail.

Olympia, WA
Grow More Horse Pasture!
Sunday, May 6th 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. FREE and open to anyone!	Join HCW at this beautiful commercial boarding facility for a workshop on Horse Pasture Management. Learn from experts about basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, rotational grazing and managing grazing areas. We will also cover soil tests, spreading compost, weed identification and control methods, pasture equipment and horse-safe fencing. Make changes now so your pastures will be more productive & nicer to enjoy this summer as well as healthier for your horse! For registration and directions: in Thurston County contact Sara Carter call 360-754-3588 or in Mason County contact Karin Strelioff call 360-427-9436.

Woodinville, WA
Tour the Hare’s Lair!
Saturday, May 12th TWO TIME CHOICES: 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon OR 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.	This beautiful Friesian horse farm combines sustainable horse keeping in a wildlife-friendly, fairy tale setting. View carefully planned out wildlife enhancement techniques where woods, streams and ponds are preserved and artfully woven around pasture areas. See a sacrifice area that doubles as an exercise area, tour a barn with many energy as well as chore efficient features and observe horse manure being composted. Parking will be limited to 20 cars maximum—carpooling and cooperative parking encouraged. E-mail Alayne for registration.

Hobart, WA
Beyond Where the Blacktop Ends
Saturday, June 9th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon FREE!	Tour the Three Sisters Mule Farm, a private 10-acre equine property that lies above Hobart and is surrounded by Seattle’s Cedar River Watershed. This pristine property is superbly managed for benefit of the mules and their humans—as well as for the environment. See a group sacrifice area, a composting shed, rotational grazing and more management techniques that reduce mud and help with chore efficiency. BONUS: Learn about our unique Cedar River Watershed! To register and receive a map contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x125 or e-mail.

If you have any questions or would like to submit an article for publication in The Green Horse, please e-mail info@horsesforcleanwater.com.