It\u2019s not that horses, alone, are bad for the environment; it\u2019s how we
\nmanage them that can cause problems. For example, overstocking pastures leads to
\novergrazing which then degrades the soil and invites invasive weed species to thrive. Not to
\nmention, more manure in concentrated areas creates more phosphorus runoff into nearby
\nwaterways. This is detrimental to both aquatic plant and animal life (not to mention, bad for
\ndrinking water).
\nWith that said, I thought I\u2019d share a few easy ways to go \u201cgreen\u201d on the horse farm.<\/p>\n
Manure Management<\/strong> No matter what, manure piles should be kept away from wells or other water sources so that Pasture Rotation<\/strong> Green Pest Control<\/strong> \u2022 Encourage birds such as barn swallows, flycatchers, and purple martins by providing bird Renewable Energy Forms<\/strong> Going green on the farm doesn\u2019t have to be difficult. Find small ways to implement more It\u2019s not that horses, alone, are bad for the environment; it\u2019s how we manage them that can cause problems. For example, overstocking pastures leads to overgrazing which then degrades the soil and invites invasive weed species to thrive. Not to mention, more manure in concentrated areas creates more phosphorus runoff into nearby waterways. This is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-farm"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nManure is always going to be an issue when keeping horses. The best thing you can do is
\ncompost it and then use it in your gardens, on your lawn, or give it away to neighbors for the
\nsame use.<\/p>\n
\nrunoff won\u2019t cause a problem. Covering piles with tarps or keeping it in bins is the best way to
\nkeep pollutants from leaching into the ground and nearby waterways.<\/p>\n
\nEven if you aren\u2019t overstocking your pastures, it\u2019s easy for them to become overgrazed over
\ntime. This is where pasture rotation can be very helpful. Even if you only have one pasture, you
\ncan divide it into sections or strips with temporary fencing and move your horses to a new area
\nas one becomes grazed down. Allowing pastures to rest, will help ensure that they stay
\nhealthier, which will benefit the land and your horses in the long run.<\/p>\n
\nBy avoiding chemicals such as permethrin, which can be highly toxic to aquatic life, and using
\nnatural methods of pest control instead, we can make a difference to the environment. The
\nfollowing are all methods of natural pest control that you can employ on the farm instead:<\/p>\n
\nhouses or places for them to build their nests. All of these birds love to feast on insects.
\n\u2022 Use fly predators on and around manure piles.
\n\u2022 Build a bat house or two. Bats are also voracious insect eaters.
\n\u2022 Remove areas of standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Also, change water in
\ntanks at least once weekly.
\n\u2022 Use fly sprays with natural ingredients instead of harmful chemicals.<\/p>\n
\nFinally, find ways to switch to renewable energy sources. For example, you can use a solar
\ncharger for your electric fence. You can also line walkways with solar lights or even consider
\ninstalling solar panels on the barn to generate electricity. If you have a well, a functional windmill
\ncan be installed to pump water, saving you money in the long run.<\/p>\n
\nenvironmentally-friendly changes that will collectively make a big difference!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"