Sustainable Horse Care Tips – The Smart Rider

Horses are powerful and majestic and bring joy and various health benefits to those of us who are fortunate enough to have them in our lives, but so much goes into the care of our favorite companions.

From preserving green pastures to getting rid of litter, sustainability has become a priority for responsible horse lovers.

embracing nature

Buy natural products, from DIY fly sprays to saddle cleaners and stationary items to horse fences.

Instead of multiple strands of power cords that add to your electric bills, or even vinyl fences that can harm your horses if they chew on them, choose wooden fences with one or two strands of electric wire.

Wooden fence posts are highly visible, strong, and easy to repair or replace if damaged.

Additionally, whenever possible, choose essential oils, roots, herbs, and other natural remedies rather than chemically infused medications and drugs.

Providing grazing opportunities

Whether you put your horses on a pasture with other grazing animals (such as cattle or sheep) or give them their natural pasture to roam, grazing gives horses the opportunity to move, socialize, and find their food in the wild.

Moreover, this is a great time-saving tip and can also save you some hay and pellets, reducing your friends’ carbon emissions.

Just keep in mind that they usually still need pellets and other supplements to give them the protein and fats they need.

Also, make sure that your beloved horses do not chew on apple trees and other harmful plants by putting a fence around these leaves.

Economical purchase and use of water

If your property has an above ground water source, for example a b-stream or pond, you should build pasture around it. Providing your horses with unlimited access to fresh and cold water not only simulates wildlife, but also eliminates the need for electric pumps.

If you don’t have a stream or small pond, install hand pumps to bring water from the water table into a basin or bucket without electricity.

Another eco-friendly tip for horse breeding is to wash the horses with a bucket of water instead of running the hose in the bathtub.

dirt management

Removing litter from pastures and stables is critical to the health of your horses. But what do you do with it? Well, why not use it as a natural fertilizer?

If you have a garden or fields, adding nutrient-rich horse manure is a good thing! Just be sure to let the compost aging a few months (it’s best placed under a tarp to trap moisture and heat) to avoid burning plant roots or flowers.

I love your horses…and the planet

Whether it’s one horse, two horses or an entire farm, sustainable horse care is important. When you create environmentally friendly food and water sources, you reduce your direct and indirect consumption of electricity, pesticides, gasoline, and more.

It also saves you money on things like hay and electricity. Finally, and most importantly, you can create a healthier and more natural environment for your horses by sticking to sustainable practices.