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

PROVIDING SHELTER- A NECESSITY, NOT A LUXURY
The key question for horse owners is what type of shelter best suits their environment, herd, and management system. In many regions, heat and UV exposure present a greater challenge than cold, making shade and airflow critical.

ROSS RIVER VIRUS AND YOUR HORSE
by Kentucky Equine
With no preventive vaccine available the only protection against Ross River virus and the most effective way to prevent other mosquito-borne diseases is by avoiding mosquito bites and removing mosquito breeding sites around your horses and property.

THE SHOOTING OF FLYING FOXES TO CONTINUE
Queensland horse owners concerned about flying foxes spreading Hendra virus should be aware that their State Government has made the decision to reverse the former government’s phase-out of shooting flying foxes for crop protection.

KNOW YOUR PASTURE GRASSES AND YOUR WEEDS
A good place to start with pasture management in all seasons, is knowing which grass species you currently have. .

BUSHFIRE SEASON LEAVES LASTING SCARS 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.

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES

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.

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.

In January, Victoria experienced record-breaking temperatures and one of its most intense bushfire emergencies in years. More than 435,000 hectares were burned across the state, with multiple major fires burning simultaneously and hundreds of homes destroyed. Countless families were forced to flee with little notice, and for many, the full scale of loss would only become clear days later, once it was safe to return.

Horses in the fire zone
Among the hardest-hit areas were Longwood, Euroa, Yarck and surrounding districts north-east of Melbourne, regions home to a wide mix of grazing and equestrian properties, from small private holdings to larger professional operations. While the high-profile racing property Lindsay Park attracted significant media attention after seven horses died from fire-related injuries, its experience was far from unique.

The Euroa Saleyards housed horse along with other animals.

Fairlie (3rd from left) and volunteers with hay donations.
Donated rugs ready to be distributed (left).
Below- one of the evacuees.

Across the region, countless horse owners faced the same terrifying uncertainty: evacuating in extreme heat, loading horses under pressure, and later returning to properties unsure whether fences, paddocks - or even their animals - had survived. For some, confirmation only came after days away, bringing relief for many and heartbreak for others.

Even for those who did not lose homes or horses, the emotional toll has been significant. Burnt paddocks, blackened tree lines and images of injured livestock and native wildlife have left scars that will take time to heal. The landscape itself will look different for months, if not years, and many communities are grieving collectively - for neighbours, for animals, and for a way of life temporarily disrupted. In the weeks and months ahead, there has been a quiet but important reminder to keep checking in on one another, and for those outside the fire zones, to continue doing the same long after the headlines move on.

On the ground at Euroa
One of those who found herself at the centre of the response was Fairlie Gidley-Baird of GBS Equestrian, who had been working in the Longwood area finishing young horses for clients when evacuation orders were issued for Euroa.

Fairlie's set up at the saleyards while overseeing the horses and coordinating donations.

Despite pleas from her family to leave, Fairlie recognised that help was urgently needed on the ground. “When time is short and disaster strikes, people need that one stress taken off their mind,” she said. As horse owners, farmers and families scrambled to get animals to safety, Fairlie made her way to the nearby Euroa Saleyards - a large livestock facility that quickly became a critical refuge. Over the course of the emergency, approximately 200 horses were sheltered there, along with countless cattle, sheep and goats, arriving at all hours as fire fronts shifted and evacuation zones expanded.

What began as a short visit quickly turned into a full-time effort. “I was just the idiot somebody asked to go there on the Thursday evening because they had horses they were worried about,” Fairlie said. “And then as the need grew, I just took it on. People needed somewhere to go, and someone to take a bit of the burden off their shoulders, just for that moment.” Fairlie would remain at the saleyards for nearly a week, helping to ensure that the growing number of horses, including mares, foals and stallions, were supervised, fed, watered and kept safe.

Care beyond animals
Drawing on her lifelong experience in equestrian industries, and a background in corporate finance and logistics, Fairlie helped organise feeding, watering and day-to-day care for animals sheltering at the yards. She also coordinated countless hay, feed and gear donations, emergency agistment, and transport as owners worked through next steps. In the process, her phone contact list ballooned to nearly 1,000 names, a reflection of just how many people she interacted with.
 
But it wasn’t just animals that needed care. With extreme heat compounding the crisis, Fairlie also assisted people affected by the fires, including providing shelter and first aid to an elderly man suffering from heatstroke while waiting for paramedics. Having been in the area for work, she fortunately had her truck with her - equipped for life on the road - which quickly became an air-conditioned refuge for people as well as animals.

In one particularly confronting moment, a local woman who had lost her home stayed the night with Fairlie, overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. Days later, Fairlie visited her property while spot fires were still flaring nearby. Although the woman’s house was gone, a neighbour whose property had been spared offered to keep her horse close by, a small gesture that made an enormous difference.

A community steps up
The Euroa Saleyards themselves came under threat several times, but resources were diverted to protect the site, in no small part due to widespread community awareness, driven by social media, of just how many animals were sheltering there. Fairlie credits the facility as having made a tremendous difference during the crisis. “It wasn’t perfect,” she said, “but without it, the situation would have been far worse.”

Across the region, Fairlie witnessed the very best of rural and equestrian community spirit. Volunteers delivered hay and water into fire-affected areas, Pony Clubs and showgrounds opened their grounds for temporary agistment, and fundraisers - from community luncheons to social media campaigns - raised money to help purchase essential supplies. Horse owners in non-affected areas offered paddock space, transport and practical assistance, while local Pony Clubs and equestrian groups provided hands-on support wherever possible.

Looking beyond the emergency
While the immediate danger has eased, Fairlie is deeply conscious of the long road ahead for affected communities. “It’s a big problem because it’s going to take people a long time to even try to get back to normal,” she said. “How do they earn money when they’ve got no land or no home? Fodder is going to be in short supply. These things don’t resolve quickly.”

The experience also prompted reflection. Fairlie was surprised by how little formal pre-planning appeared to exist for some aspects of emergency livestock sheltering - from basic logistics, such as access to amenities, through to water security and clear lines of responsibility. At Euroa, something as simple as unlocking the saleyards’ toilet block took two days to resolve, a small detail, but one that mattered enormously under pressure. She has since offered her expertise and first-hand insights to the Saleyards’ board, local government and communities hoping to help develop procedures that could be implemented before the next emergency.

“Even small things, if they’re sorted ahead of time, can make an incredibly stressful situation run more smoothly,” she said. Fairlie believes there is value in developing clearer, more universal protocols that could be applied nationally, something she feels could reduce pressure on communities when they are already stretched to their limits.

She also reflected on the difficult decisions people faced as authorities were granted powers to enforce evacuations, acknowledging how deeply the desire to protect homes, horses and generations of carefully bred livestock influenced decision-making. “When the saleyards came under threat, I wasn’t leaving those horses,” she said, a sentiment echoed by many horse owners and farmers who sheltered prized animals representing decades of careful breeding.

When the cameras move on
As rebuilding begins, Fairlie is concerned about confusion around ownership of recovery processes and the emotional aftermath still unfolding. “The news cycle is short,” she said. “But people can’t move on quickly. Homes are gone. Water isn’t always straightforward to reconnect. People are living in a constant state of fight or flight.”

Yet amid the hardship, she hopes the strongest message to endure is one of compassion and connection. From the delivery of countless bales of hay to the quiet act of checking on a neighbour, the response of Victoria’s horse and farming communities reflected the best of the Australian spirit - practical, generous and deeply human.

As the smoke clears, recovery will take time. But for those who lived through it, the bonds formed in crisis may prove just as enduring as the scars left behind.