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

	In this issue... A Novice Learns That Best Management Practices Are Best When Practiced Tips for Greener Trails; Part 2 of a 3 Part Series New Baling Twine and Tarp Recycling Project Pasture Weed Woes? Help Is Available in King County, WA Tip of the Month: Grasses, Grazing and Horse Health The Horse: An Exhibition at the AMNH in New York City Farm Focus: TWO Special Farms Host Tours Educational Events

This month’s message is from faithful HCW class participant and regular reader of TGH, Kent Wiles of Clatskanie, OR.

A Novice Learns That Best Management Practices Are Best When Practiced

My wife and I went to look at a horse the other day because we’re in the market for a gelding. We recently sold our quarter horse mare, which left us with only our wonderful Mustang named Maverick. Now, understand that we’re pretty new to this horse-owning stuff and so we don’t presume to know as much as veteran horse owners and riders. I’ve logged some hours on the trails riding my friends’ horses, but never owned one myself until about three years ago when we moved from Portland to a small town in rural northwest Oregon and purchased two.

To the casual observer, including me at one time, a simple drive in the country makes owning horses seem easy. Upon first glance, it appears as though all one really needs is a grassy pasture, some barbed wire fencing, a barn, a pitchfork and a wheel barrow; oh yeah, it helps to have some hay, too. Things like mud and manure management, pest and pasture management, water drainage, annual vaccines, regular de-worming, hoof and dental care never figured into the equation.

Now, knowing that “looks can be deceiving,” I ventured to do a little research before purchasing and soon found that a wellspring of information on horse care and best practices exists and that, but for my efforts, I would have never figured it out. After all, at least in my neck of the woods, the feed stores aren’t in the business of edifying us and there isn’t much useful information about owning horses being proactively disseminated by our local extension services office. It seems the various farriers running around out here certainly don’t practice nor preach mud, manure, pasture or paddock management. Should I expect them to? I don’t know; but, it would be nice if someone in the area who works with and/or owns horses could serve as a beacon of knowledge aside from me. If that statement has a tint of vanity to it, please forgive me and look for the modesty in it; given what I’ve shared with you, I really don’t think I should be the one claiming to know a whole lot about owning and caring for horses.

However, if I continue attending Alayne’s workshops and reading and putting into practice the wisdom made available through the good work of Horses for Clean Water, I will soon anoint myself as a, well...sort of expert at owning and managing my horses. Be assured, my riding skills leave a lot to be desired.

So back to this horse we went to look at...

The young lady was selling him because she was going off to college and her father didn’t want to care for both his and hers. It became clear that they fancied themselves as veteran horse owners and riders. Well, the riding part may be true, but their care and management practices were amateurish. The first thing we noticed was that they kept their horses on a dirt paddock checkered with deeply sunken hoof imprints that formed hard craters only because (on this day) it was warm and sunny outside. I could only imagine the horror of what it must look like during our heavy rains; why, it would be a veritable mud den I tell you!

The father waxed on about how healthy his horses’ feet were and how important it is to consider the hoof when looking to buy. I agreed, so we checked the feet of the horse we came to see and amazingly I listened as he informed us that his horse had some hoof thrush. He said “Here, take a look” and instructed me on how best to treat it. I was embarrassed for him as he proceeded to apply a little ointment here and there while blithely telling me that picking them once in a while helps, too. “It’s no big deal,” he told me. “Our horses are in great shape and we take really good care of them.” He was sincere, but terribly deluded. We went away feeling sad for his horses and hoping that someone would buy them if only to rescue them. In hot pursuit and borne of compunction was the lingering question: Do I explain the likely cause of the hoof thrush and suggest how they might improve their paddock?

I know I’m probably preaching to the choir, but in our three years of country living and owning horses, experience has taught us that this gentleman is not alone in his ignorant horse care practices. We have met many others whose “pride of horsemanship” is limited and defined only by what they can do in the saddle and by how many hours they have logged.

Following our inspection of the horse with thrush and visit with his proud owners, I made a polite attempt via e-mail to explain why we passed on their horse and tossed in a few pointers about mud management. I even provided the link to the HCW web site.

Remember when philosophers once viewed the Earth as being at the center of the Universe and thought everything revolved around it until someone smarter came along who said “No, it doesn’t work that way”? Well, I think the seminal philosophy underlying the work of HCW (and other similar groups among the vanguard) is to understand that horses don’t just revolve around humans. Why, I’m convinced that I revolve around the horse and that he is at the center of my universe—apart from my wife and daughter, of course! HCW, like any good physician, views the entire horse in a larger context which presumes a unified and crucial connection between the health of the horse and the health of his environment.

Finally, Alayne once told me that I am a “grass farmer” because I care for and manage my pastures. She’s correct and I had never thought about it that way either. I’m not just a horse owner anymore.

Kent Wiles
Clatskanie, OR

Copyright © 2008 Kent Wiles. All Rights Reserved.

Tips for Greener Trails

Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

This summer, TGH is highlighting the new Horses for Clean Water brochure, Stewards of the Trail, which offers ideas on how to reduce our impact on the land we ride on. Last month we started with tips for the start of your trail ride: at the trailhead. This month we’ll talk about what can be done while you’re on the trail. We finish up in August with some rules of the road as well as resources.

On the Trail

Stay on the Trail

When mud and puddles develop along a trail, teach and encourage your horse to ride through them. Riding around these areas widens the trail, destroying more vegetation.

Stay on marked trails and do not cut new trails, switchbacks or corners. Whenever possible, riding single file will help keep from widening and degrading trails. Never go off a trail into a sensitive area such as a wetlands, bog or marshy meadow. Creating new trails without permission of the landowner can cause those areas to be closed to future use. New trails can’t be maintained and may decrease the amount of maintenance the whole system receives. It also potentially destroys wildlife habitat and may cause erosion and loss of valuable topsoil. When sediments end up in streams, ponds and other water bodies this can cause serious water quality problems.

In the parking area, avoid driving your truck and trailer over vegetation or into sensitive areas, or widening parking areas in any way.

Waterbodies

Only cross creeks, waterways or other sensitive areas in designated locations. Existing crossing points have been chosen and designed to make the least amount of impact on waterways. Crossing in other areas potentially increases erosion and the loading of sediments as well as nutrients and bacteria (from manure and urine) in water bodies, resulting in increased water pollution and possible trail closures.

Cross single file so as to not widen the area further.

Weed Control

Invasive weed species in open spaces and wild areas are a huge problem everywhere. Non-native weed seeds are transported in, take root and quickly out-compete native plants. This is a particular problem when wildlife loses critical habitat or food sources, or when toxic weeds move in.

It is thought by some that horses convey weed seeds onto trails and rural lands through their manure. Recent academic studies show that this may not be the case after all, since horses rarely eat weeds. Fibrous weeds in the seed head stage are particularly unpalatable to horses. Instead, weed seed conveyance may be via weed seeds caught in horse hooves or on the soles of riding boots. Take care to inspect your horse’s hooves before leaving home to eliminate weed seed transmission. Brush your horse’s coat well while still at home to remove potential harmful seeds, particularly if your horse lives in a weedy area. Be sure to remove mud and foreign debris from riding boots as well.

Consider seeking help from the Snohomish Conservation District or Horses for Clean Water, on how to manage your pastures so you can eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, invasive weeds on your property as well as their spread onto other properties.

Permission

Only ride in areas where you have permission of the landowner. If you open a gate to pass through, be sure to close it after you. Respect the property of others.

Tying

Avoid tying your horse to a tree or other vegetation if at all possible. Doing so can seriously harm the tree, perhaps even destroy it. If you have to do so, such as during lunch breaks or rest stops, be sure to look for the sturdiest tree possible or a low hanging branch. Teach your horse to stand quietly. Pawing may damage sensitive tree roots.

Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Be careful not to stalk or approach wild animals, and never feed them. Feeding wildlife damages their health, changes natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Dogs should be kept under control at all times, but especially around wildlife. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or, for those species that hibernate, in winter.

Dogs

A dog should be under control at all times. The American Dog Owners Association, recommends always leashing your dog. Leashed dogs are protected from being lost or injured by wildlife, and prevented from harming or chasing wildlife or other dogs on the trail. Unleashed dogs can frighten other trail users, including their dogs, depriving others of peace of mind and the use of a public area. Horses and riders can be startled or hurt by a loose or aggressive dog. An out-of-control dog increases the chances of dogs being banned from your favorite public lands and trails.

Riding a horse with a leashed dog may be dangerous, especially with pedestrians or horse traffic around, so consider leaving your dog at home.

Emergency Considerations

While riding on a trail, especially in a remote area, carry a whistle and a cell phone. In case your cell phone dies or is out of range, it takes less effort to blow a whistle than to yell for help. Keep the cell phone on your person rather than the on your saddle in case you are not on your horse when you need it.

Always carry ID, and consider an ID tag for your horse. The ID should contain your name, the horse’s barn name and your cell phone. Should you and your horse part ways the cell phone number will be faster for reuniting you and your horse.

Carry a map of the area you are riding in or a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit that you are familiar with.

Other basic emergency items include a hoof pick (for hoof problems) and duct tape (for emergency tack repair or as in case of a lost shoe). A sharp pocketknife and matches are other basic necessities to consider carrying. Drinking water for people is always important. Use the buddy system and ride with at least one other person. At the very least, let someone else know where you are planning to ride, when you plan to return and with whom you will be traveling.

To receive a copy of Stewards of the Trail contact the Snohomish Conservation District at 425-335-5634 ext 108, or 425-335-5634x123, or by e-mail.

New Baling Twine and Tarp Recycling Project

Now at Reber Ranch in Auburn, WA

Reber Ranch’s General Manager Jeff Schroder dumps a load of baling twine into the new recycling bin.

Do you hate throwing out good twine left over from hay bales? Have you often found yourself wishing there were something useful to be done with it? Thanks to the combined efforts of the King Conservation District, Horses for Clean Water, Reber Ranch, Avoco Plastics Corp and ReSources, there is at last an opportunity to recycle not just that old twine, but used tarps as well.

This pilot project is one of the first in the nation, so let’s all do our part to make it a success. On your next shopping trip to Reber Ranch in Auburn, WA bring along your collection of bailing twine and spent tarps. Drop these items off in collection bins, labeled and located in the covered loading area outside. Avoco Plastics Corporation, also located in Auburn, will pick up the materials for recycling on a regular basis. The materials will be reused by making them back into bailing twine and tarps.

Show your support for the environment by going green in your barn! Keep renewable, recyclables out of the landfill.

Pasture Weed Woes? Help Is Available in King County, WA

Noxious Weed Control Program’s Summer 2008 Education Schedule

Learn about weeds, get help identifying them and find out about control options through King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program. Talk with staff from the Noxious Weed Control Program at the following events:

July 18-20, King County Fair, King County Fairgrounds, Enumclaw

August 6, Understanding Forage, Hay and Equine Nutrition, Enumclaw, contact Paul Borne.

August 13, Sammamish Farmers Market, Sammamish Commons, at City Hall 801 228th Ave. S.E., 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Live weeds will be on display as well as fact sheets. This is a great opportunity to get advice and also look at weeds up close. Bring your questions—AND your weeds! Please make sure any weeds you bring are sealed in a bag.

For more details:

Sasha Shaw
Noxious Weed Education Specialist
King County, Washington
206-263-6468

Tip of the Month: Grasses, Grazing and Horse Health

In horses, “fat” is not healthy. A lack of exercise in many horse’s daily regime, along with a diet high in sugars and non-structural carbohydrates may explain why the horse industry is seeing so many overweight individuals with health issues.

Understanding Forage, Hay and Equine Nutrition Wednesday, August 6, 2008; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rockin’ Circle C, Enumclaw, WA FREE! Are you interested in learning about how pasture management meshes with health issues on horse properties? Do you know what a hay probe is and how to use it? Horses For Clean Water and King Conservation District will show you and will also have an equine nutritionist and an equine veterinarian on hand at this weekday evening event. Learn how you can borrow the KCD hay probe to take samples of your hay. Hear from some experts about feeding and understanding forage and nutrition. Meet resource specialists who can suggest options for pasture management problems, soil testing recommendations and weed control options. Plus, meet the landowners who manage the pastures for growing hay and grazing. To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x122 or e-mail Paul Borne.

Here are a few horse health and pasture management tips that can help you reduce the sugar and carb load in your horses’ diet.

• Learn what a healthy weight for your horse is. Talk with your vet and consult a weight chart such as this one: Body Condition Score Chart (Adobe Acrobat PDF). Determine where you horse’s weight is and should be, as well as how to manage their diet.
• Night grazing may be very useful. The best time to graze while gaining maximum benefit of forage without adding extra fat on your horse is between 3:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. At this time pasture plants have used up most of the accumulated sugar that built up during the day. Since there are not many of us that want to set our alarm clocks to 2:45 a.m., what works for some horse owners is to turn horses out as late as possible in the evening (say, 10:00 p.m.), bringing them in the next morning before heading off to work.
• Try early morning grazing. Turn horses out on pasture in the early morning (when you first get up, say 6:00 a.m.) and bring them in before you head off to work—or at least by about 10:00 a.m. when plant production of sugar becomes high once again.

• Pastures are healthiest for horses (i.e. lowest in sugars) during the active growing season when plants are green and not stressed (i.e. brown). Graze horses during the active growing seasons (spring and early summer) and limit grazing of dried out and brown pastures because brown grasses can be very high in sugars.

• Implement a rotational grazing program to help avoid overgrazing. The greatest amount of sugar in a grass plant is in the bottom 3 inches. For more help designing a rotational grazing system for your property contact your local conservation district, extension office or Horses for Clean Water.
• Easy-keepers on pasture may need a grazing muzzle, a device that fastens on a horse’s head and only allows the horse to eat through a smallh hole in the muzzle. An internet Google search will give you several options, plus tips on safety and how to use them.
• Exercising a horse as little as 30 minutes/day, three times/week can make a big change and improve their metabolism. Most horses with metabolic issues are not getting enough exercise. Horses (like their humans!) need regular exercise as part of their standard care regime.

The Horse: An Exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City

May 17, 2008 to January 4, 2009
International tour beginning in 2009 includes Abu Dhabi, Canada, and United States

The Horse, a comprehensive exhibition on the enduring bond between horses and humanity, opens at the American Museum of Natural History on Saturday, May 17, and remains on view until January 4, 2009. The Horse explores early interactions between horses and humans and shows how horses have, over time, influenced civilization including major changes in warfare, trade, transportation, agriculture, sports, and many other facets of human life.

“Other than humans themselves, the horse is perhaps the single most important species in human history,” said Ellen V. Futter, President of the American Museum of Natural History. “The story of how we have shaped horses and how horses have shaped us is profound and complex, and we are delighted to present this exhibition showcasing that dynamic and enduring relationship. The Museum’s extraordinary breadth gives it the unique capacity both to examine the biology and evolution of the magnificent horse—what makes it so special—while also exploring the horse’s impact on humans. These noble animals have transformed history and touched us as individuals. As a result, we have forged unusually deep bonds with these beloved creatures.”

The Horse is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH); the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau-Ottawa; The Field Museum, Chicago; and the San Diego Natural History Museum.

The exhibition showcases spectacular fossils, models, dioramas, and cultural objects from around the world, including many from the Museum’s extraordinary collections. Visitors entering the exhibition are immediately captivated by a high-definition video projection of a beautiful thoroughbred horse moving across a giant screen. Close-ups in slow motion capture every rippling muscle while the sounds of thundering hoof beats engulf the viewer. A large-scale video and computer interactive allows visitors to peek inside a life-size, moving horse to learn about its anatomy and biology. They also encounter a 220-square-foot diorama depicting some of the horse species that existed ten million years ago in what is now Nebraska, representations of the horse in art from the Paleolithic era to the present, and equipment such as a full suit of armor from 15th-century Germany and a horse-drawn fire engine from the 19th century. The exhibition also examines exciting new archaeological discoveries concerning the domestication of the horse and looks at the role of horses in sport, from medieval times on.

For more information visit AMNH The Horse Exhibition.

Farm Focus: TWO Special Farms Host Tours

This month HCW features TWO special farms hosting educational tours. Join HCW on a summer evening to discuss horses, pasture management, chore efficiency and much more!

Olympia, WA

Wednesday, July 16th, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Managing small acreage pastures to increase production and reduce weeds

Join HCW at this suburban farm in Olympia, WA to learn how to make your place healthier for your animals, with more productive pastures and less weeds and nuisance insects!

Find out about:

• A small-scale, grass-fed beef cattle business

• Composting with a static aerated process and ecology block bin deigns with a roof

• Sacrifice areas for cattle with sand footing

• Protection on downspouts to avoid smashed pipes from itchy cattle

• Rotational grazing which improves forage production

• Using native birds for insect control

• Wildlife enhancement

• Naturescaping with native plants for borders

• Happy gardens made productive with composted manure

This special farm tour will be held at an award-winning, chore-efficient urban farm that boasts excellent pasture and manure management techniques.

FREE! To register and receive directions contact the Thurston Conservation District at 360-754-3588x136 or e-mail.

Ravendsale, WA

Wednesday, July 30th, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Irrigating droughty pastures, outdoor wash-racks and other innovations for small acreage horse properties

This exciting horse property is 3 acres of dynamic horse happenings! This property owner has the “internet bug,” having researched and come up with many innovative designs for chore efficiency and farm productivity.

Join this tour to see:

• Self-coiling sprinkling systems

• Three-season (mudless!) outdoor wash rack with an on-demand portable water heater

• A low-cost, drivable dump cart for ease of stall cleaning

• New, ecology block compost bins, cost-shared by King County

• Great ways to organize a small-space (mouse-free!) tack room

• An indoor arena with unique safety ties

• Large sacrifice areas for horses

• Geogrid products used for high traffic areas

See many more cool ideas for horse’n around! Join HCW on a summer evening to discuss horses, horse pasture management, chore efficiency to and much more! FREE! To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581 ext. 122, or e-mail.

Educational Events

Find some great ways to manage pastures, tips on composting, ideas for insect control and more this summer. Check out the web site, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com, for new events added regularly.

Olympia, WA
Farm Tour: Managing Small Acreage Pastures to Increase Production and Reduce Weeds
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.	Join HCW at this small Olympia suburban farm and learn how to make your place healthier for your animals, more productive this growing season, less bothered by nuisance insects, AND more chore-efficient! This special farm tour will be held at an award-winning urban small farm with excellent pasture management techniques. See how rotational grazing can be used to actually improve your pastures and eliminate weeds. Registration and directions, Sara Carter at 360-754-3588x136 or e-mail or Karin Strelioff at 360-427-9436x22 or e-mail.

Ravensdale, WA
Farm Tour: Managing Droughty Pastures, Outdoor Washracks and Innovations
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.	This exciting horse property is 3 acres of dynamic horse happenings! This property owner has the “internet bug” and has researched and come up with many innovative designs for chore efficiency and farm productivity. See self-coiling sprinkling systems, an on-demand portable water heater for the 3 season outdoor wash rack, a low-cost drivable dump cart for ease of stall cleaning, great ways to organize a small-space tack room—and many more cool ideas for horse’n around! Join HCW on a summer evening to discuss horses, horse pasture management, chore efficiency—and much more! To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x122 or e-mail.

Enumclaw, WA
Understanding Forage, Hay and Equine Nutrition
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rockin’ Circle C FREE!	Are you interested in learning about how pasture management meshes with health issues on horse properties? Do you know what a hay probe is and how to use it? HCW and King Conservation District will show you and will also have an equine nutritionist and an equine veterinarian on hand at this weekday evening event. Learn how you can borrow the KCD hay probe to take samples of your hay. Hear from some experts about feeding and understanding forage and nutrition. Meet resource specialists who can suggest options for pasture management problems, soil testing recommendations and weed control options. Plus, meet the landowners who manage the pastures for growing hay and grazing. To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x122 or e-mail Paul Borne.

Issaquah, WA
Farm Tour: Living Without Horse Pasture
Saturday, September 6th, 2008 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon FREE!	This five acre two horse property faced lots of design challenges in its creation, including steep slopes, heavily wooded areas, wet areas and no suitable areas for conversion to pasture. In spite of challenges, the owners have woven together mudless paddocks, a lunging area, chore-efficient composting bins, and a charming, hand-built barn, along with copious flower gardens and vegetable beds all in a beautiful, manageable set up. Hear about creative pasturing arrangements done with a neighbor as well as local trails on Tiger Mountain. To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x122 or e-mail.

Olympia, WA
Fencing Workshop
Sunday, September 7th, 2008 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. FREE!	Fencing is a key tool for good pasture management. Come learn the whys and hows of horse fencing. Learn about the differences between power and electric fencing, as well as what makes a fence safe for horses. Work with fencing experts to build a short segment of fence and learn how to build a fence on your property. Registration and directions, Karin Strelioff at 360-427-9436x22 or e-mail.

Olympia, WA
Fall in Place: Preparing Your Horse Farm for Winter
Sunday, October 5th, 2008 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. FREE!	Join Horses for Clean Water for a workshop on how to prepare your farm so it will be easier to care for in the coming winter with less runoff, mud and manure. Learn techniques you can put in place to improve horse health, make chores and horse life easier and improve the health of the environment. Registration and directions, Karin Strelioff at 360-427-9436x22 or e-mail.

Hobart, WA
Farm Tour: Managing Horse Property in Winter
Saturday, November 8th, 2008 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon FREE!	Visit Hobart, WA, often referred to as the horse capitol of South King County, to see mud-free and chore-efficient management techniques in place on this new farm, designed by the owners from the ground up. This property owner recently moved into their new horsey property. Hear why choices were made including gravel vs. sand paddocks. See a covered round pen. Learn about Paso Finos. Find out about Incinclot toilets—an environmentally-friendly option for barns without a septic system. BONUS: Pick up maps for trail riding on King County’s Taylor Mountain Park. To register and receive directions contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x122 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.