You want to help the environment at the same time you make a living in the horse business. It’s an admirable goal, and there are ways to make your horse farm more green.
The challenge is to avoid overdoing it. Horse farms need things like electricity, water and gasoline, and trying to rid yourself of these necessities will harm both you and your horses. If you want to run a green horse farm, you’ve got to exercise moderation.
Slashing Electricity Usage
Barn lights are probably the most liberal use of electricity on a horse farm. This includes the overhead lights in the barn aisle ways, the lights in the tack room and other areas, and the arena lights. You probably have outdoor lamps in your parking lot and near your pastures, as well.
The key to developing a green horse farm is to use lights only when they are absolutely necessary. In other words, don’t sacrifice the safety of your boarders, employees and friends just because you want to save the world, but don’t leave lights on just because.
Schedule horse training sessions and riding lessons during the day when arena lights aren’t necessary, and shut off the barn lights on bright sunny days when sufficient illumination comes through the doors and stall windows.
And most importantly, install energy-efficient light sources wherever possible. The tack room, barn office, feed room, bathrooms and other areas used exclusively by people, for example, can be equipped with CFLs to save electricity.
It is also important to watch other types of electricity usage if you want to operate a green horse farm. For example, stall fans are a necessity during Texas summers, but they don’t need to be running while the horses are outside in the paddocks. And climate-controlled areas can be kept on moderate settings to conserve energy.
Conserving Water
Horses drink a lot of water. The grass on your horse farm must be watered. And the animals need baths every now and again.
What I’ve found is that water is used inefficiently rather than for unnecessary reasons.
For example, consider buying smaller water troughs and buckets for your green horse farm. You’ll have to fill them more often, but you won’t have to dump several dozen gallons of water when you need to clean out the containers.
When you’re giving your horses baths, use shampoos and conditioners that wash out easily, and turn off the water while you’re scrubbing your horse’s coat or detangling his mane and tail.
Most importantly, however, think about water conservation. Most people don’t realize they’re wasting water or electricity; it isn’t a malicious thing.
Building Green
Whether you’re developing a green horse farm from the ground up or making small changes around the property, buy green materials. Repurposed wood, for example, is an excellent way to save trees.
Focus on light construction for your green horse farm. Your best bet is to find environmentally-friendly contractors in your area; this will increase the chances that you’re living behind a smaller footprint.
I’ll probably come back to this topic in the future, but for now I’d like to hear your ideas. What do you think makes for a green horse farm? And what are you doing in your horse business to benefit the environment?
You might also like:
- Farm Freebies: Horse Boarding Equine Evaluation Template
- Farm Freebies: Accident Report Form
- Farm Freebies: Barn Rules
- Farm Freebies: Horse Business Employee Information
- Farm Freebies: Gift Certificate
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
