The official newsletter of Horses for Clean Water published by Alayne Blickle, HCW Program Director
Message from Alayne:
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My belief system is that looking at the negative in any situation reinforces it, perpetuating the problem. Many of us are sensitive to this in our riding; we are told over and over again by instructors and clinicians to focus on where we want to be and how we want to look, not on what we are doing poorly. Focusing on the positive, the direction we want, empowers us, giving us energy and vision.
You have probably heard some of the many stories from across the country where people are awaking to what’s important in their lives, learning to conserve, becoming more resourceful and creative. The hope is this will bring balance to our lives and our world as we wean ourselves away from the expectation of living as consumers, and become more self-sufficient.
The economic downturn offers a lesson in conservation on many fronts, not only the environmental front. In the last issue of TGH I offered a few of my ideas for conserving and dealing with the economy. A time of introspection also offers an opportunity to hunker down and dig in, taking care of ourselves, our bodies and souls, as well as our animals (see the massage article below for ideas on caring for our horses.) Small investments now can have big payoffs down the road in renewed energy and greater athletic ability—for us and our animal family.
We can also let our horses take care of us. Now might be the right time to immerse yourself in all things horsey. Spend your extra time with your horse, riding, fixing up their facilities, doing some simple spring pasture projects. Consider your passion and your calling then dig for creative, low-cost alternatives to make those things work for you.
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So, I’ve decided to move ahead with my plans. One of my ideas for our someday new location is to offer different horsemanship-type educational events. We are going to do this now in our present location in Maple Valley, WA. You may have noticed some of my new ideas listed in the Education Section. Some of them include:
- Green Horsekeeping Chronicles—the new HCW blog!
- Annie’s Pony Rides
- Horsemanship Camp for Kids
- Cowgirl Horse Camp and Adventures for Women
- Summer Guest Ranch
- Clinics
Our first new program coming up is on Saturday, April 25th, the Barb Apple Natural Horsekeeping Clinic. Barb Apple is a Pacific Northwest’s natural horsemanship clinician. Last summer I attended one of her clinics at her cozy ranch in Roy, WA. Barb has a unique background, which she describes as a three-legged stool. One leg comes from working and studying natural horsemanship with world-renowned clinician, Pat Parelli. Another leg comes from her friendship and training with Jack Brainard, often considered the father of reining. The third leg comes from her work in Center Riding. In this clinic at my farm, Barb and I team up to bring you hands-on help and information towards building a holistic approach to managing your horse and horse property. The morning session with Barb will help you and your horse learn to work together as partners. The afternoon will be a farm tour of our eco-friendly horse property, with tips and ideas on ways to set up and manage horse properties without chemicals. Barb is an excellent, caring teacher with effective and carefully developed techniques. This will be a fun, safe, learning-packed clinic. Please contact me if you have questions on this exciting event—or about anything else!
So, I’m not waiting for Idaho to expand. We’re going to give it a shot here this summer! Won’t you join us?
Have an idea on how to focus on the donuts in your life? Share them with Alayne!
New Tip Sheet: The Swallows Are Coming
One of our favorite subjects here at Horses For Clean Water is the arrival of the swallows in the spring. We have taken past TGH articles and researched some new information and combined them into a great new Tip Sheet. Help support more HCW classes, programs and projects by purchasing this wonderful new Tip Sheet. Here is a brief preview of what this Tip Sheet looks like.
Purchase The Swallows Are Coming; Natural Insect Control for Horse Farms now!
And if you have a specific topic you would like HCW staff to write a Tip Sheet on, please let us know via e-mail!
Three R’s of Spring Pastures: Renew, Renovate and Relax!
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Here are six of our favorite “think big, spend small” spring pasture improvement practices. These cost efficient measures will soon have you relaxing and looking out at some very happy horses.
1. Aerate
Renting an aerator, or using a hand held aerator, will greatly benefit grass plants by getting air and nutrients into snow sodden, rain soaked, compacted soils—enabling them to get a fast, strong start, growing longer roots so they can reach valuable nutrients and much needed moisture later in the season.
“The shorter the roots of the grass plant, the less water it will be able to access during the dry summer months. Pastures with deep roots can maintain production for much longer in dry months.”
—Sara Carter, Thurston Conservation District
Buy the 5 Keys to Better Pastures Tip Sheet now
2. Lime
Fertilizer may not be needed, but lime is crucial. Most soils in the Northwest are acidic, that is, they have low pH. Under these conditions, nutrients in the soil cannot be used by the plant and beneficial organisms are not very active. It is always best (and more cost effective) to correct your pH by adding lime before resorting to fertilizer. Use a naturally occurring limestone, or an agricultural grade lime (such as Dolopril®), not a chemically produced caustic lime, such as hydrated lime or quicklime. March and April are great months to apply lime, since the many days of spring rain help work it down to the root zone.
Buy the May 2006 issue of TGH with the article The Lowdown on Lime now
Buy the Natural Solutions for Fertilizers, Weed Control and Pest Control Tip Sheet now
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3. Overseed
Do the Math. How much do you spend on hay per horse per year? If your horse could get one to two nutritious meals per day between April and October from your pasture, would the investment in seed and lime be worth it? You bet!
With a simple hand held seed spreader and shown in the photo to the right, April LaLande overseeds a spring pasture in about 20 minutes per acre —without heavy equipment or special tools. Make sure you buy a guaranteed weed free horse pasture seed mix, not lawn seed.
4. Spread Compost
As soon as your soils are no longer saturated and it is safe to drive equipment on them, begin spreading your winter supply of compost. Spread in a thin layer, about 1/4" to 1/2" thick, on pastures, lawns or gardens. Compost improves soil structure, creating passageways for air and water; acts like glue, holding soil particles together, making soil resistant to erosion and improving moisture retention; provides a slow release of nitrogen over a long period of time and will, more importantly, increase the presence of microorganisms in your soil. The activity of microorganisms helps the plant roots absorb nutrients available in the soil, then convert them into a form more easily taken up by the roots.
Compost also encourages the growth of earthworms and other macroorganisms, whose tunneling increases water infiltration and aeration. Compost has the ability to bind heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and other contaminants, reducing their absorption by plants. The soil microorganisms that compost supports also help break down pesticides, fertilizers and hydrocarbons.
Check with your local conservation district as some CDs have spreaders available for rent. If you have a small area, a good day’s labor by hand can distribute that compost to your grass plants just as well. Break up clumps so you don’t smother plants.
Buy the 5 Easy Steps to Compost Tip Sheet now
5. Weed
Pull weeds like tansy ragwort that are coming up now in the rosette stage. Use gloves, bag up tansy and send it to the landfill. Seeds quickly follow flowers and that means many more years of work! Some flowers can go to seed even after they are cut, so it is important to remove flowering noxious weeds before mowing fields and roadsides or to thoroughly clean equipment after mowing.
Horses that have lush productive pastures are much less likely to ingest toxic weeds. Contact your county noxious weed control board or extension service to learn about free help identifying noxious plants.
See also: King County Noxious Weeds Information
6. Maximize Yield
Longer daylight and the sight of fresh, green pastures are exciting to your horses. They will search out the "best pickings" and eat these to the ground over and over, while the rest of the pasture goes to seed. Use a rotational grazing system to keep pastures are productive and evenly grazed. Follow these tips:
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The Blickle-Livengood Farm uses two types of rotational grazing: areas cordoned off with inexpensive step-in posts with hot tape, and a “moving” fence where both ends are moved a little at a time so there is always fresh forage. | |
- Never graze below three inches so grass plants maintain a strong, healthy root system.
- Do not allow grass plants to go to seed, since this will stop both their growth and leaf production.
- Mow after rotating to set up a nice even growth for the next “crop.”
- Harrow or pick up manure in resting areas so plants do not become smothered, and so horses will graze the area later.
- Have a sacrifice area available for times when you need to rest your pastures. This is especially critical when grass plants are dormant, or they will quickly become overgrazed and die.
Please remember to adjust your horses very slowly to fresh forage. A good rule of thumb is to start at 20 minutes per day, increasing the time once a week over many weeks.
Buy the Creating the Sacrifice Area Tip Sheet now
And last but not least, spring is a time of renewal for us, horse owners, too! Maybe you can’t afford that exotic Hawaiian vacation right now, but a day spent wandering around your local garden center or feed store can be an inspiration—and a pay-off down the road. Relax this spring by finding your “inner farmer” and plan a fun, new, outside farm project for you!
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A two-dollar packet of seed can go a long way. Carolyn Adams utilizes a buffer area to grow outstanding squash. |
Michelle McCallum, owner and manager of Summerhill Farm in Mason County, WA, says “I think manure is gold. But most people treat manure like trash. To me picking up manure is like harvesting—it’s like harvesting money off the ground.” |
Joan Deutsch uses geraniums—a natural fly repellent—and petunias to brighten a sunny wall on her farm. |
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Native trees and shrubs make great filters and hedgerows, like the one shown here at the Blickle-Livengood farm. |
They provide summer shade, help with storm water management and are an attractive visual boundary. |
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Elizabeth and Ben Clark never miss an opportunity to provide a new learning opportunity for their son Jackson or to beautify their farm, the Rockin’ Circle C. |
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Equine Massage: For the Health of Your Horse
by Ellen Mosier, Pearl Moon Equine Massage & Reiki and HCW Editor
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If you’ve ever had a massage, you know what a relaxing and refreshing experience it can be. Heartbeat and respiration slow, blood pressure decreases, and muscle tensions release. The mind settles and racing thoughts give way to soothing quiet, perhaps even sleep. Afterward, you feel rested and renewed, with greater range of motion in previously stiff joints and skin that feels alive and tingling. Aches and pains are reduced or often disappear altogether.
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Finding a Good Equine Massage TherapistWhere to look:Good referral sources are your veterinarian, farrier, and other horse owners. There are also postings on bulletin boards at your local feed and tack stores. What to ask:When you find therapists you are interested in, contact them and ask about their massage training; massage fees, including any travel time and distance that may apply; whether they are certified (in Washington, animal massage therapists must be certified by the state to work with animals); and how long they have been in practice. Discuss why you would like your horse massaged and any issues that concern you. What to look for:A good equine therapist will:
Finally, listen to your horse. Not every equine massage therapist is the right one for every horse. If your horse is not comfortable after a couple of sessions, it is okay to find someone else. |
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Massage feels great to animals too. Most animals naturally seek out touch from each other for communication, grooming, bonding, warmth, safety, and healing. Domestic animals also seek touch from humans. When that touch comes in the form of massage it has the same effects on animals that it does on humans.
Horses in particular can benefit from massage. They work hard for us as performance animals, doing everything from hunter/jumper and eventing sports to dressage, reining and driving. Other horses serve as lesson horses or equine therapy animals, work cattle on ranches, or walk the beat as police horses. Many of us have “weekend warrior” horses, whose lives—like their owners’—involve long idle periods interspersed with brief periods of intense activity, such as weekend trail rides. I find horses especially remarkable because they do most of what they do with riders on their backs, which not only adds weight, but the need to coordinate movements with the rider and constantly adjust for balance.
Just as with humans, our horses’ activities can cause fatigue and stress and pose specific risks for injury. Racehorses, for instance, may have physical issues in the left shoulder and/or right hindquarter since they always run to the left. Dressage horses are vulnerable in the neck, shoulder and hip from the strength and control required for moving in collection. The bursts of speed and tracking moves that come with working cattle are hard on the leg joints. “Weekend warrior” horses are susceptible to injury because they are out of shape. Senior and/or retired horses may have pain and inflammation related to arthritis or old injuries.
Regular massage can play a role in preventing injuries to our horses by helping keep muscles healthy and functioning, and stimulating circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. (The lymph system cleanses the body of toxins and metabolic waste.) When injuries do occur, massage fosters quicker recovery time, eases pain and swelling, and helps keep scar tissue to a minimum. Massage can also help injured animals handle confinement by alleviating boredom and/or tension, and improving digestion and circulation.
As a massage therapist, I really enjoy my equine clients because they enjoy their sessions so much. They quickly figure out that there is a method to what I am doing, and then they participate in the treatment. Some horses position their bodies so I will work on certain areas. Others might turn and “point” with their noses to a sore shoulder, ribcage, or knee. They stretch their necks and nod their heads in approval, or scowl at me in disgust. It is all wonderful because, along with what I feel and see in their bodies, they guide me to give the most effective massage I can. The most rewarding thing of all is seeing how much better horses feel and move following a massage, and knowing I helped make that happen.
If you would like more information about equine massage, contact Ellen by e-mail or call 425-898-8526.
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Farm Focus: SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit Facility
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Learn about Seattle’s Mounted Patrol Unit and the horses that help protect our streets!
Saturday, March 28th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
West Seattle, WA
FREE!
Join the King Conservation District, Horses for Clean Water and the Seattle Mounted Patrol Unit for a guided educational tour of the facilities to learn how the facility is set up and how the police horses are managed.
The Mounted Patrol consists of a sergeant, five police officers, a civilian laborer and seven police horses. Apollo, Harvest, Charlie, Tiger, Blaze, Jet, and Cody, along with their assigned officers, work to perform basic police functions. Daily work can be anything including patrolling the City’s 5,000 acres of parks, crowd control at an event and patrolling business districts and neighborhoods.
In 2001, the unit moved from an aging structure in Volunteer Park to a new 3-acre equestrian facility in Westcrest Park in West Seattle. Shortly thereafter, the Patrol Unit began working with the King Conservation District to develop a plan for reducing runoff, managing manure, taking care of native trees and wildlife and caring for the health of the horses while being a benefit to the environment. It consists of 12 stalls, a 75'x130' indoor arena and 7 turnout paddocks.
See and hear how the Mounted Patrol Unit:
- Designed and built their facility for horse health and chore efficiency
- Manages manure for seven horses
- Reduces mud in their large outdoor paddocks
- Handles rainwater runoff from the huge facility roof
- Incorporates wildlife enhancement techniques
- Lives in harmony with their urban neighbors
This is a kid-friendly, handicap accessible event.
BONUS: At the conclusion of the tour, enjoy a 30 minute live demonstration of the unit’s police horses. Mounted officers will demonstrate troop movements, crowd control techniques, obstacle training and obstacle/harassment training. Then meet the horses...up close and personal!
For planning purposes we ask that you please register with us for this FREE event. Please contact the King Conservation District at 425-282-1949, or e-mail.
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Educational Events
Learn about GREEN horsekeeping techniques to make your farm life easier and more eco-friendly by coming to the following educational events. Check out the web site, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com, for new events added regularly.
West Seattle, WA | |
Farm Tour: Seattle Police Mounted Patrol Unit | |
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Saturday, March 28, 2009
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Plan now to learn about Seattle’s Mounted Patrol Unit and the horses that help protect city streets. Seattle Police has a beautiful equestrian facility that they have worked hard to set up and manage—and they even have a KCD farm plan! Hear how the Mounted Patrol Unit manages the manure for seven horses, how they control mud in eight outdoor paddocks, hear about wildlife enhancement techniques and what the Unit does to live in harmony with their urban neighbors. This beautiful facility includes 15 stalls and a large indoor arena, as well as mud-free outdoor paddocks. Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Preston, WA | |
Class: Creating Your Own Horse Property | |
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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Thinking of moving your horse home to save on costs? Want to make improvements to your horse property so it’s more chore efficient? Would you like to build an outdoor arena but don’t know if permitting is necessary? In this class Alayne Blickle of HCW will cover considerations for site layout for a barn and horse facilities, as well as chore efficiency considerations. Learn when you need a county permit and how to go through that process. Talk with King County Rural Permit Coordinator, Joelyn Higgins, who can answer your permitting questions on building and zoning issues, including property setback requirements and grading for arenas. Join HCW to learn things now that will help you set up your horse property to be chore efficient and more enjoyable later. Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Renton, WA | |
New Partner and New Event! | |
Workshop: Caring for Your Horse and His Home | |
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
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Are you new to horse ownership or do you have children who want a horse? Do you know about horse health, dental and shoeing needs? Would you like to learn about shelter requirements and horse-safe fencing? Join Alayne Blickle for an all day workshop geared for novice horse owners. Topics include horse behavior, horse and handler safety, planning your horse facility, how to buy a horse, nutrition and feeding, vet and farrier care, and pasture, manure and mud management. Get on the Horse Care Class Contact List for early registration. Contact Jennifer Rock at Renton Technical College’s Lifestyle Program at 425-235-2352x5727 or e-mail. |
Maple Valley, WA | |
New Partner and New Event! | |
Clinic: Natural Ways to Manage Horses and Horse Properties | |
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
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Barb Apple and Alayne Blickle team up to bring you hands-on help and information on a holistic approach to managing your horse and horse property. In the morning session, build confidence with your horse and strengthen your horsemanship by learning about horse behavior from the Northwest’s own natural horsemanship clinician, Barb Apple. In the afternoon, join Alayne Blickle for a tour of her eco-friendly farm. Get tips and ideas on ways to set up and manage horse properties in a green way that works for you, your horses and the environment. Horse and rider participants, $195, limited to 10 participants. Auditor, $35. For more on Barb, visit Barb’s web site, and on Alayne visit Alayne’s bio. E-mail Alayne or call 425-432-6116 for details on registration, stalling your horse, and more. |
Renton, WA | |
New Partner and New Event! | |
Green Horsekeeping: Mud, Manure and Pasture Management for Horses | |
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Wednesdays
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Tired of seeing your horses slosh around in mud? Wondering what to do with all the flies and manure behind the barn? Are you new to horsekeeping on small acreage? Then join HCW for Green Horsekeeping! There are many great ways to banish mud on horse properties. Learn about French drains, footing options, geotextile fabrics and other great ideas for managing horse paddocks. Find out how to compost horse manure, see different compost bin designs and get tips for reducing stall waste in the barn. Study basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, liming, spreading compost, rotational grazing, weed control, fencing options and small farm equipment. Learn how to make your horse property chore-efficient, horse healthy, more productive during the growing season and a healthy place for the environment. Get on the Horse Care Class Contact List for early registration. Contact Jennifer Rock at Renton Technical College’s Lifestyle Program at 425-235-2352x5727 or e-mail. |
Issaquah, WA | |
Workshop: Spring into Pasture Management and Equine Nutrition | |
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Saturday, May 2, 2009
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Learn how pasture management and horse health weave into managing horse pastures. Alayne Blickle from Horses for Clean Water will cover pasture management and how it relates to horse health. Learn basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, liming, spreading compost, rotational grazing, managing small grazing areas, weed control, fencing options and small farm equipment. We will also discuss what constitutes a “lush” pasture and how to manage horses and grazing so a horse doesn’t become fat. Harris Statema, a feeds expert from LMF Feeds, will speak on the horse’s digestive system and understanding forage and nutrition. Learn how sugar levels in your hay or pasture affect your horse’s health as well as carbohydrate intolerants in horses. Find out about hay probes and how to use them. Learn how you can borrow (for free!) the King Conservation District hay probe to take samples of your hay. Meet resources from the KCD who can suggest options for pasture management problems, soil testing, liming and other recommendations. Start the grazing season out right by learning how you can make your pastures can become more productive and your horses healthier! Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Preston, WA | |
Class: Holistic Approach to Manure Management | |
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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Learn the latest on manure management and horse heath. Hear from equine veterinarian Dr. Hank Greenwald and HCW’s Alayne Blickle about a holistic approach to parasite control and manure management. Learn how to compost horse manure, see the latest and greatest bin designs. Find out about off-site options for dealing with stall waste and view the latest techniques for reducing stall waste in the barn. Then hear about parasite control, resistance to dewormers, use/overuse of dewormers and techniques to target parasite control. Learn what “natural” options are out there and how you can safely cut back on your deworming program. Save money, keep your horse healthy AND keep the environment healthy, too! Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Enumclaw, WA | |
Farm Tour: Lusitano Horses and Rescue Goats! | |
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
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Meet a beautiful Lusitano mare (the foundation breed for many of today’s horses, and the original cow horse!) and her herd of goats. Goats can be a low-care, low cost alternative to having a second horse, which is exactly why this farm got the goats. In the process, the farm owner has fallen in love with their whimsical, charming ways. Join this tour to learn about goats as a companion for horses, as well as pasture management, wildlife enhancement, mud-free paddocks, an outdoor riding arena, and more! BONUS: Meet a representative from Puget Sound Goat Rescue, a goat rescue organization that adopts out tame goats and provides information on goat care. Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Renton, WA | |
Farm Tour: Five Acre Sustainable Urban Farm | |
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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In a rapidly developing area of Renton sits 5 acres of well-utilized farmland. Join the KCD to meet a family who is working to produce their own organic food in a sustainable fashion by utilizing their yard, garden, lawn and woods. Learn about sustainability and what that can mean to each of us in terms of reducing our impact on the land while saving money AND producing healthy food! This family raises goats for milk and cheese, chickens, ducks and geese for eggs and meat, vegetable gardens and fruit trees for produce, trees for firewood, bees for pollination and honey, and grass for livestock hay. Learn about ways to reduce chemical use, cost-savings on food production, low-tech gardening techniques such as chicken tractors, and how children can be an important part of the chore and animal-care routine. We promiseÉ you will be surprised at the volume and value of healthy food produced on this amazing family farm! Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Covington, WA | |
New Partner! | |
Workshop: Build Your Own Compost Bin! | |
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
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Summer is the time to get busy on building plans. And at the top of your “to do” list is manure management, right? Join HCW and the KCD along with the building experts, The Home Depot, for a tour and discussion of the materials and tools necessary for building a chore efficient compost bin to suit your needs and your horse’s needs. Learn about treated wood, untreated options, and power tools. Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Maple Valley, WA | |
Farm Tour: The Kid-Friendly Horse Farm! | |
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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Often times we teach kids about riding without teaching them about what comes along with that responsibility. Other times it’s a struggle on how to scale things down to a kid’s level or what horse-safe chores to include kids on. Join the KCD and HCW on this unique tour to explore how you can incorporate children into green horsekeeping on your farm. This 1.25 acre horse property has 2 horses, a pony and 3 young children who have been taught the joys composting, manure management, horse safety, feeding and other aspects of the horse care routine. Kids with parents are encouraged to join this tour! Register and receive directions from King Conservation District at 425-282-1949 or send e-mail. |
Maple Valley, WA | |
New Event! | |
NEW!!! Horses for Clean Water Presents Horse Camp! | |
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June to September 2009
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Coming this summer! Join our award-winning, environmentally sensitive horsekeeping program for some good, clean horsing around. Beginning in 2009, Horses for Clean Water will offer 3 great horse camp programs. Cowgirl Horse Camp for Women Kids’ Horsemanship Day Camp Horse Camp for Adults For details on all 3 camps, e-mail Alayne or call 425-432-6116. |
If you have any questions or would like to submit an article for publication
in The Green Horse, please e-mail info@horsesforcleanwater.com.
©2009 Horses For Clean Water. Reproduction prohibited except by permission.