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

SMOKE INHALATION IN HORSES
by Jessica Blackwell
Whether it’s today, next week or in the years to come, it’s important to know how smoke can affect your horses and what you can do to help.

BALING TWINE - a blessing and a curse
Baling twine is both one of the best inventions ever and one of the worst.

STAR PICKETS ON HORSE PROPETIES
by Gary Simmons
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.

SOIL HEALTH - our responsibility
As horse owners we are, or should be, well aware of the need to manage the environment we keep our horses in sustainably. It’s vital for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact we live in a country that is prone to drought and extreme weather.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HORSE HEALTH by Country Park Herbs
At what age can you begin using herbs for a horse?
How much herbal treatment should we give to our horses?
Can herbs and veterinary treatment be used simultaneously?

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PREVIOUS ARTICLES

Available on line

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.

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.


THE PROS
One of the biggest advantages of star pickets is their durability. Made from galvanised or black steel, they resist rust and can last for decades in the ground. Their design provides stability by anchoring the post into the soil.

They are especially useful for electric fencing, as insulators clip easily onto the picket’s pre-punched holes, creating a secure, low-maintenance barrier.
For small property owners, star pickets offer flexibility. They can be used for temporary fencing, dividing pastures, creating alleyways or reinforcing weaker sections of an existing fence line. Unlike timber posts, which require digging in or thumping in with a post rammer, star pickets can be driven straight into the ground using a handheld thumper, making them a faster and more affordable fencing option.

Aim for a depth of at least 45-60 cm for stability, depending on soil type. In sandy ground, driving them deeper or reinforcing them with stays may be necessary. Additionally, star pickets may not be as secure as wooden or steel posts in soft or sandy soils, where they can loosen over time.

THE CONS
However, they are not without drawbacks. Horses can easily injure themselves on exposed star pickets, particularly if they attempt to rub against or jump over them or run into them. Caps or sleeves should ALWAYS be used to cover the tops to help reduce the risk of impalement.

OTHER OPTIONS
Currently there is a Poly Star Post Kit that can be purchased separately to the star pickets that completely covers the pickets, making them much safer to use.
A reasonably new option is a plastic star picket that is durable, flexible and reduces injury risk significantly. Made from recycled woven polypropylene, which is extremely tough, they are extruded and pressurised into a mould that further increases their strength and durability. They are made to be handled in the same way as steel pickets are.

Removing Old or Bent Star Pickets
Removing a star picket that has been in the ground for years - or one that is bent - can be frustrating. The easiest method is using a dedicated star picket puller, a lever-style tool that grips the post and uses mechanical advantage to lift it straight out. These are available at most rural supply stores and are a worthwhile investment for properties that have a lot of star pickets.

If a puller isn’t available, alternative methods include:
• Using a jack - A high-lift or farm jack, with a chain wrapped around the post, can gradually lift it out.
• Rocking it loose - Wiggling the picket back and forth can break up compacted soil around it.
• Chain and Tractor - Wrapping a chain around the base of the post and lifting slowly using the tractor bucket.

Left: The Poly Star Post Kit that completely encases the star picket.

Repairing and Recycling Bent Star Pickets
With the cost of star pickets rising, many property owners are considering whether it’s worth straightening old ones rather than buying new. Some businesses now offer straightening services using hydraulic machines but these are usually found more in large farming areas. However, for small numbers of bent pickets, a DIY approach may be more practical.

Straightening a picket at home can be done using a vice or a heavy-duty pipe. However, repeatedly bent metal may weaken, so it’s essential to check for structural integrity before reusing.

For pickets that are beyond repair, recycling is an option. Steel star pickets are fully recyclable, and scrap metal yards will often accept them. In some areas, the cost of transporting small amounts to a recycling facility outweighs the return, making it more practical to repurpose them on the property for non-load-bearing uses, such as garden stakes or reinforcement for tree guards.

RIGHT: A star picket puller that uses leverage to remove the picket from the grund.

Are Star Pickets the Right Choice for Your Property?
Star pickets remain a popular fencing option due to their durability and ease of use, but they do require careful management to ensure horse safety. For property owners willing to maintain them properly - using caps, ensuring solid installation, and removing damaged posts - they can be a cost-effective and flexible solution.