Enviro-Horsekeeping: Win-Win Techniques for You, Your Horse,
Your Farm, Your Neighborhood -- AND the Environment!
Part 1 of a 3 part series
by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water

Perhaps you’ve ridden and owned horses all your life, but now you just bought your first small farm so you can keep your horse at home. Or maybe you’ve kept your horse at home for years now and even have a boarder or two. But now you’re concerned about that new subdivision going in behind your barn. What are those wealthy homeowners going to think about looking out at your manure pile? Or perhaps you board your horse at that nice equestrian facility “in the country”. The one with ol’ Mount Manure piled up next to wetlands and beautiful stream.

You may have wondered about what to do with that big manure pile or the potentially big pile you’ll have once you bring ol’ Roany home. Have you considered what will happen when the new neighbors in the expensive subdivision start complaining? Maybe you’ve been worried about the effect on horse health when horses live in mud all winter. Or have you considered the impact on the neighboring creek or wetlands when rain washes mud and dirt from your bare pastures into the surface water? Possibly you’d just like some ideas on how to have more birds and wildlife on your little place “in the country.” If any of these issues have crossed your mind then you’re ready for environmentally sensitive horse keeping!

In this series we’ll begin with a scientific environmental lesson. In the next two sections we’ll list win-win techniques useful for horsekeeping as well as for environmental health.

Let’s start by taking a look at the “big picture,” environmentally speaking. A watershed is a valley or system of depressions that water drains through and eventually follows into the ocean. In the Pacific Northwest watersheds originate in the mountains, and drain through a system of creeks and rivers, eventually emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

The quality of water in local streams, lakes and other water bodies affects and is affected by all people. No matter where we live or what we do, the runoff we each produce affects water quality. This is what scientists refer to as “non-point pollution.” Non-point pollution -- run-off from homes, streets, parking lots, forests, and farms -- can be from such activities as logging operations, development, traffic, construction and agriculture, as well as everyday activities such as washing your car, spraying your lawn or (mis) managing your horse’s manure pile. All runoff, be it oils, chemicals, sediments, septic tank wastes or animal waste, has potential for reaching surface waters through storm drains, streams and waterways. The result is that non-point pollution affects the quality of life we all enjoy.

Next month we’ll talk about some of the techniques you can implement on your horse farm that will reduce non-point pollution. Until then, good horse keeping to you!

Alayne Renee Blickle, a life-long equestrian and reining competitor is the creator/director of Horses for Clean Water. HCW develops educational materials and programs for horse and livestock owners on mud, manure, pasture and other horse management techniques. Contact Alayne by email at ARBlickle@aol.com or visit the HCW website at www.horsesforcleanwater.com.

Join HCW at the following upcoming events:

Horse Farm Management Series – Join HCW this spring in Maple Valley to learn techniques to reduce mud, manage manure, make pastures more productive and provide for wildlife at the same time. Date/place TBD. Maple Valley, WA To receive a posting on this event contact HCW at 425-432-6116 or ARBlickle@aol.com.

Workshops for Livestock Owners – Join the King Conservation District for four FREE workshops on livestock management practices. Learn techniques that will help turn your farm into a more useable place for you, your animals and the environment -- less mud, better pastures & great ways to manage manure! Redmond, WA Place TBD. For registration or more details call the King Conservation District at 206-764-3410 ext. 120.

Manure Management Options for Horseowners – Stay tuned to hear more about upcoming workshops on great ways to manage manure. This series of workshops will be offered this spring throughout King County, WA, including Vashon Island. To receive postings on these events contact HCW at 425-432-6116 or ARBlickle@aol.com.