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The GREEN HORSE - sustainable horsekeeping

APRIL MAY 2010
Vol 31 No 6

In the April/May 2010 issue of The Green Horse you will find the following articles:

The GREEN HORSE
sustainable horsekeeping
Information Exchange
Reader’s Tips, Views and Questions
Weed Watch - Paspalum by Nicola Field
Deeds, Steeds and Weeds
Herbs For Horses - Appetite
by Cath McDowell
Growing Grains for Horses pt2: Which Grain? by Andrea Carmody
Preparing For Winter
Recycling in the Stable
Product News - Portable Fencing Solution
Fertilisers Part 2: Inorganic
by Andrea Carmody
Efficient Watering - All Year Round
by Chris Ferreira and Tracey Bell

Recycling in the Stables

Walk into any tack/feed room or shed around the country and one is bound to find something recycled or re-used. Most commonly, old crates and drums will be accommodating feed and hay. One could also expect to find an old bench or table, perhaps some shelves and possibly an old fridge to hold beverages, if working, and if not then as a dust free storage for horse medication or small gear items.

Many paddocks and arenas are sporting recycled tyres for training activities as well as milk crates for a mounting block. Horse owners can be very resourceful and time and time again, the saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, can be heard. Well just how much of what is being thrown out is ‘treasure’? The fun part of recycling is getting creative!

Interestingly, much of what is found in the kitchen can come in handy in the stable or shed! Tins and cans once packaging Milo, coffee or beans, are not only handy as feed scoops they can also hold brushes, rags, medications and feed supplements, nuts and bolts.

By nailing or screwing the bottoms of tins through the centre, onto the shed wall, a sturdy hanging fixture for bridles/halters will result! A variation of this is to attach jar lids to the wall before screwing the jar back onto the lid. Or, for those handy with a welder, old horse shoes can be welded into some lovely bridle hooks.

Another use for horse shoes is attaching a pair on either side of a gate or doorway, which allows a rail be placed between them as a temporary barrier. Alternatively, as a permanent fixture, it makes an effective rug or gear stand.

Two litre cordial or milk bottles (with the lids in place) with the bottoms removed are a popular choice for feed scoops. A second use for these kind of bottles is filling them with molasses and hanging them in the stable after adding a few small holes for the horse to lick as it dribbles out, making a cheap stable boredom buster.

Plastic bowls can also be used as feed scoops, or as markers/cones for the arena. Also, ice-cream containers or other similar containers filled with sand and labelled, make great dressage markers. Even just the lids, mounted on wood or a crate would suffice, or mounted to a pot plant for a fancy look. These larger containers can also be handy when taking feed to shows or events.

Broom handles can be used as bending poles and can be held up in bricks or containers of sand. Old feed bags and tarps can also make interesting training tools.

Clean empty spray bottles can be used for applying insect repellant and certain medications, just as plastic dish-washing liquid bottles can be used for easier application. Often the squirt-tops of these bottles can be screwed onto other bottles. Jugs might be of use to wet feeds down or when washing horses.

Cups, spoons and laundry-powder scoops may be used to measure powders, medications and supplements. Air-tight tupperware containers or zip-lock bags can help keep medications and supplements fresh, as well as increasing the longevity of plait-bands.

Large rubbish bags with draw strings are handy for protecting saddles, and may be used when riding in the rain. Old feed bags make heavy duty bin-bags (more suitable for stable and shed rubbish) or bags for manure to be sold or turned into compost.

Old bins, plastic tubs and buckets will always be put to use in a shed or stable.

Bailing twine, or binder twine as it is also called, is an entity unto itself, being referred to as the duct-tape of the horse world! It has been known to be used for an impressive array of things, from temporary repairs to rugs, fences and gates, to being crocheted into a floor mat! Plaiting some bailing twine then attaching it between two walls in a corner can be used to hold a saddle, drape folded rugs, airing sweaty saddle blankets, etc. Braiding several lengths together can also make an effective lungeline. Other twine ideas include clothes lines, rope halters and haynets! Twine, a plastic bag, an old rag or shoe laces on the end of a stick or whip can also be inexpensive training aid.

Old rags, or strips of old clothing are cheap means of applying insect repellent, make-up or some medications to sensitive areas.

Labelled cardboard boxes (especially glossy or varnished and therefore, wipe-able shoe boxes) can be helpful to store brushes for individual horses.

Old planks of wood can be used for shelves. Unwanted picture frames, paintings, scratched CDs (the list is endless) may ‘jazz up’ some home-made jump wings.

Torn rugs can be kept to patch up repairs on other rugs, particularly the straps, just as the clips and buckles from snapped lead-ropes, halters and bridles can be retained for future repairs.

Large tractor tyres can be placed in paddocks as hay feeders. Old conveyor belt or stable or float lining is often still suitable to use for high traffic areas and wash bays.

There are websites and classifieds that allow recycling enthusiasts and bargain hunters to acquire more materials for a great price, or even free, while passing on various materials on, or even selling them, effectively ensuring nothing is wasted.