Go Green & Save Green

by Lisa Kiley | Published in Horsmen’s Corral Magazine September 2023

When you think about horse ownership, it is more often that we associate it with spending money rather than saving it. There is always a new piece of tack, more hay to buy, and don’t forget the vet bills. But what if you could not only save a little money, but benefit the environment as well? Sometimes it can take a little more upfront investment, but there is quite a bit of money to be saved when you invest in ‘green’ products. There is also the bonus of doing something good for the environment. Even small steps can have a big impact.  

Here are a few suggestions for getting started on going green:

• Waste Not – One of the biggest expenses in horse keeping is making sure that our horses are well fed. From year to year, it is hard to know what hay will cost, but with the rising prices of everything from equipment to fertilizer, it is a good guess that the prices will continue to rise. Being that good quality forage is such an important commodity, it makes sense to protect that asset.  By utilizing feeders like an All-Weather Hay Feeder or other slow feeders that protect the hay from getting trampled underfoot. It not only saves the hay but saves you money in the long-run. Slow feeders usually end up paying for themselves in as little as six months. Utilizing the hay, rather than just wasting it, saves the energy costs of producing the product making the process a green practice. 

• Keep it Clean – Manure can be a messy issue to deal with, but properly handling can create a by-product that can be useful. The best way to handle manure is to compost first, then add it to fields using a manure spreader. You can actually feed nutrients back into your soil that will benefit your pastures or garden. It’s important to follow environmental recommendations to make sure that the manure you spread will enhance the ground you are spreading on and not impede it or run-off into water-ways. Properly composted horse manure needs carbon-rich materials added such as dried leaves, sticks and even sawdust helps in this process (which is usually mixed with the manure from stalls already). Check with your local extension office for the best guidelines. 

• Give ‘em a Second Chance – When possible, buy items made of recycled materials. There are many things utilized in the barn that can actually be made from recycled products such as rubber stall mats and plastic items like mud grid and paddock slabs. Rubber stall mats are often made from recycled rubber. Mud grids and paddock slabs are made from recycling plastic materials like plastic bags. Buying ‘second quality’ items may get you a new product with a slight defect, but it is still in usable condition. Other items for your barn can be purchased used or repurposed to fit your current needs. Getting creative when it comes to solutions around the barn can be cost effective and environmentally friendly.  

• Buckets of Savings – Your horse needs water every day, but there are ways that you can be environmentally conscious and keep your horse healthy in the process.  In the winter, using thermal buckets instead of electric heated buckets will save on energy costs. Because the bucket holder is thermal, it will also keep the water cool in the summertime, making it more palatable for your horse. It is also possible to find plastic buckets that are food-grade and bpa-free, protecting your horse from potentially harmful chemicals.  

• Go Natural – If you make your own hay, there are natural products like HayGuard that can help increase the quality of hay without adding harsh chemicals. The product is naturally derived from sulfur compounds. It allows bailing at higher moisture levels, saves more leaves creating more nutritious hay at higher yields. The product can also reduce mold and yeast growth resulting in a better product for your horses and less waste of resources. Speaking of chemicals, avoiding spraying harsh chemicals on your horses is also a way to go green. It’s healthier for you, your horse and any residue that may run off into the water system. Using green flay sprays like Fly Bye! that are natural yes very effective is a great idea. 

• Buy Local – These days, almost everyone enjoys the convenience of online shopping, but even free shipping has its costs. Supporting local stores has a positive impact on the environment and your local economy in ways that national chains can’t. Most local purchases require less transportation emissions, benefiting the environment. Local businesses are likely to be invested in the community in which they reside, both creating more local jobs and supporting local causes. Locally owned businesses are also more likely to employ individuals with a better knowledge of their product base. This means you are getting better information to formulate your purchasing decisions, saving time and money.  

These are just a few ideas on how to incorporate a greener lifestyle in your barn without breaking the bank. There is no doubt that horse keeping can have environmental impacts of its own, so it makes sense to seek out ways to balance it out. Weather you keep your horses at home, board at a facility or enjoy riding on the trails, making environmentally conscientious purchases is an important investment for all horse lovers.