The Green Horse section provides practical information on managing environmentally sustainable horse properties, readers stories and tips, as well as advice and articles from equestrian experts in their fields.

See below for previous issue features.

In this issue of The Green Horse you will find the following articles.

COMPACTED SOIL
Soil compaction affects how water moves through the ground, how pasture grows, and ultimately how productive and resilient the land will be for horses and the environment..

SUITABLE PASTURE SPECIES FOR COMPACTED SOILS
When renovating compacted paddocks, choosing pasture species with strong, penetrating root systems can help restore soil structure while still providing suitable grazing for horses. Deep-rooted plants not only stabilise the soil but also act as natural ‘biological aerators’, sending roots down through dense layers and creating channels for water, air and soil organisms.

CLEANER FEEDING , HEALTHIER HORSES
WHERE YOUR HORSE EATS MATTERS ALMOST AS MUCH AS WHAT YOU FEED
It doesn’t matter if you feed in the stable or in a yard, what can make a difference to the horse’s health is the surface upon which the feed drops.

PROTECT YOUR WATER
Horses naturally congregate around water, and their hooves can quickly damage fragile creek banks, disturb stream beds, and strip vegetation that helps stabilise the soil. When this protective cover is lost, manure, sediment, and other contaminants are easily washed into nearby waterways during rain.

LOW QUALITY FORAGE- Preserving Horse Health
With the diverse climate across Australia there are many areas experiencing flooding while other areas suffer from droughts or are ravaged by bushfires. These weather extremes can significantly degrade the forage’s nutritional value, creating situation where horse owners do not have control over the quality of hay available.

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES

FEB/MARCH 26
BUSHFIRE SEASON LEAVES LASTING SCRS ON HORSE COMMUNITIES
Australia’s bushfire season once again tested rural communities this summer, with fires burning across several states during prolonged heatwave conditions. While many regions faced challenging fire danger, it was Victoria that bore the brunt of the most severe impacts, with fire behaviour described by residents and emergency crews as erratic, fast-moving and, at times, frighteningly unpredictable

DEC/JAN 25/26
WATER BUFFETS
Water buffets for horses may sound strange, but there is a growing trend towards this concept. The increasing popularity is a reflection of a broader shift towards evidence based care and enrichment.

OCT NOV 25
RAILS THAT LAST- Choosing the right rails for your horse propertyLast issue we looked at fence posts- the foundation of any horse fence. But posts are only half the story. Rails are what makes your fences visible, safe and functional, and they are the part you and your horses interact with every day.

AUG/SEPT 25
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCE POST FOR HORSE SAFETY AND PROPERTY LONGEVITY
Fencing is one of the most critical investments on a horse property, and while much attention is often given to rails, the posts themselves play an equallyvital role in both the strength and safety of the entire fence system.

June July 25
MOLASSES - A NATURAL BOOSTER FOR SOIL HEALTH
Soil inoculants are beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, that are introduced into the soil to improve its quality.

APRIL/MAY 25
NOT SO GOLDEN -
TOXIC TO HORSES
Golden Crownbeard

A herbaceous perennial, Golden Crownbeard thrives in disturbed areas, such as pastures, roadsides, and along fence lines. While it may appear harmless, the plant contains toxins that can cause severe health issues for livestock, particularly horses.

February March 25
ESTABLISHING AN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Star pickets are a staple of rural fencing in Australia. They provide a strong, versatile, and relatively easy-to-install option for securing horse paddocks, temporary fencing, or reinforcing existing fence lines. However it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of using star pickets and exploring the best ways to install, remove, or even recycle them

December/January 24/25
ESTABLISHING AN EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Setting up a riding centre is a bit different to establishing a property for your own horses. So when Toni Gough from Victoria was relocating her business Shepparton Equestrian Centre careful consideration was given to the placement of new facilities to meet the needs of both horses and clients.

October/November 24
REPAIR THAT BROKEN FENCE
by Gary Simons
If you’re managing a horse property, one thing you’ll quickly come to terms with is that horses are hard on fences. Whether it’s a cheeky young gelding testing boundaries or a storm-felled tree, repairs are an inevitable part of owning equine property. Luckily, with a little knowledge and some essential tools, mending a broken fence can be a straightforward task.

August/September 24
SHORT VERSUS LONG GRASS
by Erika Gough
Understanding the effects of grazing on short grass versus longer grass is crucial for any
horse owner, but particularly for those who have horses with endocrine issues or a history of
laminitis (usually caused by endocrine issues).

June July 24
SMALL BLOCKS BIG DREAMS
by Karen O'Keefe
An example of how sme small landcaregroups also deliver Equine Landcare related activities.

April/May 24
STOP THE ROT IN YOUR FENCE POSTS
by BOUNCE BACK HORSE FENCE
Timber posts tend to rot at the base. It is a normal process in the breakdown of the wood, but it can be postponed, giving a longer life to the fence post.

February March 24
CAN A SOIL TEST TELL YOU WHAT IS IN YOUR PASTURE?
by Nerida Richards - Feed XL
A definite recommendation for horse owners is to have their pasture and hay tested so they get a much more accurate idea of what their horses are eating.

August September 23
CREATING AND USING THE SACRIFICE PADDOCK
Functional areas that are safe and useable are essential, with an area set aside as a ‘sacrificial’ area or paddock considered by many horse owners to be an invaluable component of their property’s set up and design.

June July 23
CREATING A WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN - your property your weeds.
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Keep it Simple as making a weed management plan doesn’t have to be like studying for that master’s degree or passing your driving test for the first time either.

Apriil/May 23
SIMPLE FEED BUDGET
by Belinda Taylor
Although most horse owners are nervous at the prospect of creating a budget, a few quick
calculations can give you the power to compare prices and alternatives that can reduce your horses’ feed
costs, without impacting on their health and wellbeing.

February/March 23
CROFTON WEED KILLS HORSES
by Angela Davison
If you have this weed on your property then it is best to not have any horses in the paddock until such time as you can eradicate it.

December/January 22 23 PROPERTY PLANNING
-Working with your property- not against it.
by Teele Worrell
Property planning is about
using your property effectively
and efficiently and sometimes
starting with a clean slate.

October/November 22
WHAT IS EQUESTRIAN LANDCARE
by Teele Worrell
Part 1 In a series in which Teele will explore what equine landcare is, and why it benefits equine landholders

August/September 22
THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUND COVER
by Belinda Taylor
Ground cover, whether it be dead grass, weeds, hay, or mulch is the insulating layer that protects your soil from the extremes of temperature and erosion.

June/July 22
SOLAR FOR YOUR ARENA
Environmentally-friendly solar lighting for your arena will allow you to use your arena for longer, and as energy from the sun is free it is therefore an ideal long-term solution for powering lights. Jeff Florence from Blackfrog Solar, Queensland suggsted some solar tips.

April/May 22
MAKING THE MOST OF MOSQUITO CONTROL
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
Climate change that has brought high temperatures, more rain and increases in humidity will provide ideal breeding grounds for the many species of mosquitoes, including those that spread the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV).February/March 2022

February/March 22
SUSTAINABLE DEWORMING
by Sophie Fletcher
There has been a relatively big shift in deworming treatment strategies in recent years, due to increasing levels of worm resistance to the chemicals we have been using for decades to control them, resulting in a lot of confusion among horse owners.

December/January 21/22
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE FIRE SEASON
In the many areas where horse owners live this season's fire preparation should be well underway; if you’ve not already started preparing your property for summer then now is the time to do so.

October/November21
SNAKE UNIVERSAL ANTIVENOM
The good news is that there is no longer any need for a snake to be identified to administer antivenom. A universal antivenom is now used that covers the five genus of snake that will cause serious harm or death.

August/September 21
BEAT THE BINDI
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
The prickly weeds that grow on our properties across Australia usually have long classical Latin names, are often known by a variety of common names in different localities but are regularly called very rude names when we happen to stand on one (or a dozen) or when they find our hands as we are dislodging tangles in the horse’s mane or tail.

June July 21
BARN OWLS by Wendy Elks
A silent partner in rodent control.
Non-toxic pest management is the most humane and ecologically sustainable way of bringing nature back into some kind of balance during non-plague times.

April/May 21
LOVELY LAWNS
by Rhiannon Brown - Envirapest
On a horse property there always seems to be hectares of grass, but we all have that little bit of lawn we want to look luscious all year round.
It could be the entrance to the stables, laneways bordering the driveway, that little ‘special’ snack paddock or you could even dream of a beautiful green arena. So, how do we achieve this?

Feb/March 21
STABLE DANGERS
by Elizabeth Tollarzo
They say that horses are accidents-waiting-to-happen as they are inclined to find every conceivable way to injur themselves, usually just before a competition. Being aware of potential dangers in the stable - and addressing these - may help aleiviate injury.

Dec/Jan 20/21
HORSES AND HONEY BEES-
Can they share space on the property?
by Wendy Elks

Oct/Nov 20
SOLAR-POWERED PRODUCTS
by Celine Bønnelykke
In previous issues we have discussed the economics of setting up a solar-driven property, but if finances don’t stretch to installation of the whole package, there are ways to ease into the solar-world.

Aug/Sept 20 THE HIDDEN DANGERS IN OUR PADDOCK.
by Elizabeth Tollarzo
Horses love to run, play, buck and then run again and we often, through lack of risk assessment or management practices, place them in areas that are fraught with dangers.

JUNE JULY 20 GOING SOLAR ON THE HORSE PROPERTY Where to put your panels Part 2
Once you have selected what solar system best suits your needs, then you need to look at how you can maximise the advantages.

APRIL MAY 20 GOING SOLAR ON THE HORSE PROPERTY Part 2
Once you have selected what solar system best suits your needs, then you need to look at how you can maximise the advantages.

FEB/MARCH 20 ANTS AWAY
by Mark Brown Envirapest
So, what can you do to deter ants from your house and your stables??

DJ19/20 KEEPING SNAKES OUT OF THE STABLE by Wendy Elks
Snakes may be protected under Wildlife regulations in Australia, and they may be great for keeping the mice and rats down, but do we want to find them in our stables near our horses and pets?

ON19 - TERMITES- common myths
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Your house and stables are looking wonderful this spring, but do you know what is happening inside the walls of your brick or timber building?

AS19 - OUCH THAT HURTS
by Catherine Bird for Country Park Saddlery
The extent of the swelling is usually an indication of the severity of the infection or injury and the cause needs to be established before giving herbs.

JJ19 - MANAGING PASTURE
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest Healthy pasture means healthy horses.

A/M19 - STOP THOSE WEEDS
Property biosecurity
by Rhiannon Brown, Envirapest
Putting simple precautionary steps into place can make it tough for weeds to get a hold on your equine paradise.

With the diverse climate across Australia there are many areas experiencing flooding while other areas suffer from droughts or are ravaged by bushfires. These weather extremes can significantly degrade the forage’s nutritional value, creating situation where horse owners do not have control over the quality of hay available.

To counteract the periods when only low quality hay is available a concentrate or ration balancer is regularly offered to provide the requisite nutrients low or missing in the forage.

Well-formulated products can fill this dietary void, yet researchers wondered if additional fortification would increase digestion and bolster muscle accretion over the topline.

In the 56-day study, stock-type horses were offered a base diet of low-quality hay. The horses’ diet was supplemented with either a pelleted concentrate - balanced to National Research Council requirements, as outlined in Nutrient Requirements of Horses - or the same pellet that had been fortified with additional amino acids, chelated trace minerals, and fermentation metabolite additives, which are prebiotics that support the fermentative flora of the hindgut.

“The goal of offering concentrates was to provide a layer of nutritional protection to maintain or improve the health and performance of mature horses in the face of poor-quality hay,” advised Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a Kentucky Equine Research nutritionist.

At the end of the two-month study, all horses had similar estimates of body fat regardless of the concentrate offered to them.

The primary difference between the diets involved greater muscle development along the topline of those horses fed supplemental amino acids.

“These results suggest that horses may benefit from extra amino acids—the building blocks of protein—to compensate for lack of quality protein in the nutrient-poor hay,” Kathleen summarised.

Kentucky Equine Research works with a global network of feed manufacturers dedicated to producing high-quality feeds. These manufacturers offer a full range of fully fortified concentrate feeds to meet the needs of horses and ponies during any stage of life.

“A ration balancer contains protein, macrominerals, microminerals, and vitamins, an ideal combination for balancing out the protein and other nutrients that may be missing in a lower quality hay without adding a lot of calories,” Kathleen said.
Ration balancers can be fed as the sole concentrate for horses that have no problem maintaining weight on a forage-only diet. They can also be combined with a straight grain (such as oats) or a fortified concentrate fed below the recommended rate.

“Offer ration balancers at a rate of 0.45-0.9 kg (1-2 lb) per day, which is a much higher volume than only 25-110 g (1-4 oz) per day of a regular vitamin and mineral supplement. A true ration balancer will contain protein, which will be required if horses only have access to protein-deficient, low-quality forage,” explained Kathleen.

When evaluating hay, do not confuse low-quality hay with mouldy or extremely dusty hay, which should never be offered to horses.
Low-quality hay will have negligible protein, high indigestible fiber, and marginal vitamin content, yet still be clean and free of weeds, excessive dust, and other undesirable material. Poor-quality hay, on the other hand, may have these same attributes but also be contaminated with mould or mycotoxins.