In concluding this series we finish addressing some of the main points around the farm as we “fall in place” for winter. Last month we looked at horse management concerns and things to take care of inside the barn. We conclude by going outside your barn, covering paddocks and fields, and wind up looking at you the horseowner and how you can prepare yourself for winter on your farm.

Bring your horses in off your pastures. If you’re lucky enough to have pasture then now is the time to baby it. Pastures grazed too closely in the autumn are subject to winter damage and slow to start regrowth in the spring. For winter protection it’s best if you allow the grass plants to produce a good amount of leaf growth, at least 4 inches. During the winter months pasture plants are dormant and not able to regrow so pastures simply cannot survive continuous grazing. Also, soils are saturated and easily compacted during our soggy winters. The best option for managing your horses during winter is to create a winter paddock or sacrifice area. Confine your horses to this area during the winter and in the summer when pastures become overgrazed. For additional help with sacrifice areas refer to the Horses for Clean Water handout “Creating and Using a Sacrifice Area” on the HCW website, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com.

Tarp your manure piles
This will help keep the nutrients you are trying to save IN the compost and not allow them to get washed OUT into the surface waters where they can cause a potential problem. Be sure to store manure as far away as possible from streams, ditches or wetlands to avoid potential environmental problems, as well as away from fence lines to be a good neighbor. If you’d like to learn about composting see the Horses for Clean Water handout “How to Compost and Use Horse Manure” on the HCW website, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com.

Spread compost
Fall is a great time to spread compost. Compost is a rich soil enhancement that adds micro and macronutrients and replenishes natural microbial life. All of this will greatly improve the health of the soil and plants. Spread compost in pastures during the growing season, no more than a 1/2 inch layer at a time or a total of 3 - 4 inches per season.

Lime your pastures
Changing the soil pH allows the grass plants to be more competitive next growing season. Fall applications allow the lime to neutralize soil acidity as it reacts with the soil over the winter. Have a soil test done for your pastures. If it indicates your pastures need liming, then fall is an excellent time to do this. Contact your local conservation district for more help with this – check the HCW website, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com, for a listing of Washington State CD offices.

Eliminate potential rodent habitat
Mice and rats can cause hundreds of dollars of damage per year in feed loss and structural damage. There is a saying that every rat you see is equal to $150 per year in damages to your farm. Plus, rodents can have health concerns for humans and livestock. Discourage rodents by eliminating their habitat – their food, water and cover. Keep things picked up and put away in your barn to eliminate nesting areas. Piles of towels, rags, horse blankets and old feed bags are examples of things rodents would love to spend the winter in and should not be left laying around. Store all feed in aluminum garbage cans with secure lids. Pick up cat and dog food and water at night and clean up any other feed or spilled grain. In addition, installing downspouts and creating good drainage around the place will reduce watering sources of water for rodents.

Insulation
Consider insulating pipes and faucets with heat tape or other insulation materials. Frost-free hydrants can also be installed. Check your local hardware store for recommendations.

Review your lighting needs
Do you have adequate outdoor lighting? Are your stalls bright enough to care for your horses during our dark fall and winter evenings? When you’re feeding at night will you have enough light to see if the hay you’re feeding is green and not moldy? Would you be better able to do your manure pick-up chores in the paddocks if you had flood lighting? Have you been meaning to put in lighting along walkways or drives? Get an electrician in now and get that work done instead of waiting until temperatures are freezing and you’re trying to feed by flashlight.

Consider your emergency and winter storm preparedness
Do you have a flashlight for the house and barn hanging in easy access locations? Are extra batteries on hand? How about fuel for generators, cook stoves or lanterns? Battery-powered headlamps that free up your hands are excellent equipment to have on hand if the electricity goes out. These can be purchased at camping stores or through catalogues. A battery-powered radio as well as a weather radio is very useful during storms and power outages. Finally, standard emergency preparedness starts with 911 information next to the phone. Include your name, address and contact information, veterinarian contact information and back-up vet contact info.
Develop a back-up plan for watering your horses before you lose power to your private well. Water can be stored in rain barrels or garbage cans. Emergency officials generally recommend having a 3-day supply of water on hand. That would be a minimum of 30 gallons of water per horse. Access to a creek or lake may work as your back-up watering source. Train your horses to drink from these areas so they are familiar with them beforehand.

Consider your own clothing needs
Nothing is worse than taking care of your horse in the freezing cold when you are wet from head to toe and chilled to the bone. Do you need a good, waterproof jacket? Mud boots? Insulated riding boots? Insulated, waterproof gloves? A warm coat? You may want to invest in some of the high-tech cold or rainy weather gear featured at REI or other outdoor clothing stores. Think about layering - a vest with a barn coat and a waterproof shell along with proper gloves and outdoor boots works well.

Review equipment needs for daily chores
Having the right equipment for chores not only makes things more efficient but also insures that you’ll be more likely to get those chores accomplished when it’s dark and cold. Consider getting that manure cart that’s easy to push and dump into the compost pile. Is your manure fork half broken? The heavy-duty plastic-tined type with a bent edge is made specifically for cleaning horse stalls and paddocks. Wooden handles or ones wrapped with tennis grip tape are easier – and warmer – to grip than metal handles.

Post-Storm Checks
Check fencing after the winds or heavy snows hit to be sure there is no damage. This precaution will eliminate escaped horses or potential injuries with downed fencing.

It is a good feeling to be as prepared as possible even though there is undoubtedly some winter adventure lurking around the corner. However, it is a good bet that following this checklist will keep you ahead of the majority of problems, have you better prepared for the coming winter months and in a good position for next summer! Get moving on these fall chores so both you and your horses will be more comfortable and able to survive our upcoming Western Washington winter.

Good horsekeeping to you!