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.

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

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCE POSTS by Gary Simmons

From Conception to Weaning - herbal help for every step by Country Park Herbs
A PROBLEM OF PLAGUE PROPORTION - LOCUSTS
From the risk of injury to long-term durability, the type of post you choose can affect horse welfare, the performance of electric fencing, and how often you’ll find yourself repairing or replacing sections. With so many post materials now available in Australia—from timber to high-tech composites—it’s worth taking a closer look at the options.

HORSES VERSUS SEPTIC TANKS
by Rebecca Cassells with David King
When septic tanks are accessible to horses then caution should be applied as these systems are not designed to withstand the weight of a horse. The results can be traumatic for your horse and can cause life threatening injuries.

THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT- emergency contacts
For horse owners, preparing for emergencies means more than just preparing for yourself.
Whether facing bushfires, floods, or storms, early warnings can make the difference between a safe evacuation and disaster.

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES

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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.

Duncan Equine fencing

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 equally vital role in both the strength and safety of the entire fence system.

From the risk of injury to long-term durability, the type of post you choose can affect horse welfare, the performance of electric fencing, and how often you’ll find yourself repairing or replacing sections. With so many post materials now available in Australia—from timber to high-tech composites—it’s worth taking a closer look at the options.

Traditional timber posts remain common on horse properties, with treated pine being one of the most widely used. It’s readily available, cost-effective at around $22 to $35 per post, and easy to work with. However, treated pine doesn’t perform particularly well in wet or waterlogged ground, where it is prone to rotting over time.

Many treated pine posts are preserved with chemicals such as CCA (copper chrome arsenate), which contains arsenic. If horses chew the posts—a common behaviour when they’re bored or lacking fibre—there is a potential risk of toxic exposure. This is not just a health issue for the horse; in competition or racing environments, residues could also be detected in swab tests.

Technology and environmental sustainability have come to fencing with the Woodshield untreated pine posts coated in an inert polyethylene sealed coating. The posts provide the strength and rigidity of wood but with the added protection from weather and pests that provides longevity. Because the wood is untreated and coated, splintering and cracking is virtually eliminated, as is cribbing and chewing. At the end of their life the untreated posts can be stripped of their already recycled polyethylene coating and used for mulching or burning and the coating recycled again.

Hardwood posts, such as jarrah, are usually stronger and more durable than pine, and less likely to splinter or rot. Their natural density makes them semi-resistant to termites and a good choice for areas with variable weather conditions. A well-installed hardwood post could usually last 25 to 40 years. Hardwood posts are heavier to handle, harder to drive into the ground without machinery, and often cost between $50 and $80 per post. While these are less likely to be chewed than pine, they are not immune.

Steel posts are becoming more common, particularly on properties seeking a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution. Galvanised or powder-coated steel won’t rot, is resistant to termites, and is immune to moisture damage. It also doesn’t split on impact but could cause serious injury from a solid impact. Steel posts are fire resistant and perform well in both hot and wet climates, making them suitable for most parts of Australia.

They are, however, more expensive than pine, with costs for fence posts starting around $50 each. Steel also conducts heat, which may be a concern in extreme summer conditions. Handling and installation are best done with equipment, as these posts are heavy and rigid.

Duncan Equine Group offers a selection of equine-safe fencing options, including their own premium PVC round posts. These heavy-duty plastic posts are co-extruded from UV-stabilised ASA and PVC. Unlike standard lightweight plastic posts, Duncan’s are built with 9mm-thick walls for maximum strength yet remain light enough to handle easily. Installation is straightforward, even into compacted ground. Priced from around $44 to $53 per post, they offer excellent value for money when you consider the expected 30-year lifespan, resistance to fire, and low maintenance.

By choosing the right post - not just for today, but for the future - you are investing in both your horses’ welfare and your peace of mind.