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.

BIRDS AND HORSES
-H5Bird Flu is Here
The arrival of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Australia has understandably raised concerns for many horse owners, particularly those who keep chickens, ducks or other poultry alongside their horses.

DAMS - More than just a water hole by Karen O’Keefe
For many horse owners, water is something we take for granted - until there isn’t enough. Whether it’s a farm dam shrinking through summer, a creek that no longer flows as it once did, or increasing pressure on groundwater supplies, reliable water has become one of the biggest challenges facing Australian landholders. Longer dry periods, more intense rainfall events and unpredictable seasons mean that making the most of every drop is no longer just good land management - it’s essential.

SCRATCHING TO SHED
Spring shedding brings an annual challenge for horse owners. As loose winter hair begins to cause itchy skin horses start searching for the perfect scratching post, which is often a fence, shelter or favourite shade tree. Left unchecked, that natural behaviour can quickly lead to damaged infrastructure. Fortunately, a few simple changes can redirect the scratching and save both your property and your maintenance budget.

WATER FROM AIR
Could the next reliable water source for horse properties be the air itself? It may sound like science fiction, but capturing water directly from the atmosphere is already a reality, and a groundbreaking trial is exploring whether the technology could become another tool for drought-proofing rural Australia.

Are you POWER OUT Prepared?
Modern horse properties are increasingly reliant on electricity, and many owners don’t realise how many essential systems would stop functioning until they’re tested by a power outage. These are an ongoing and unavoidable issue, whether caused by storms, bushfires, planned maintenance or equipment failures. Most power outages last only a few hours, but even a short interruption can become stressful if it affects horses’ water, containment or safety.

HERBAL SECRETS for glossy, healthy horse coats
by Catherine Bird
When considering your horse's overall wellbeing, a dull coat can be an early indicator that it is time for an internal tune-up.

WIN A YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION...
share your equine property management tips and each issue one reader will win.

Send ideas to -
The Green Horse Support <hoofbeat@iinet.net.au>

PREVIOUS ARTICLES

JUNE/JULY 26
RODENTS IN THE HORSE FEED

Managing rodent populations is an important part of horse property management. While mice and rats are common around stables and feed areas, allowing populations to grow unchecked can create serious health risks for both horses and humans.

APRIL/MAY 26
LOW QUALITY FORAGE-
RESERVING HORSE HEALTH

Modern horse properties are increasingly reliant on electricity, and many owners don’t realise how many essential systems would stop functioning until they’re tested by a power outage. These are an ongoing and unavoidable issue, whether caused by storms, bushfires, planned maintenance or equipment failures. Most power outages last only a few hours, but even a short interruption can become stressful if it affects horses’ water, containment or safety.

Can Your Horses Still Drink?
Of all the systems on a horse property that rely on electricity, the water supply should be the highest priority. While lighting, fencing and gates can often be managed with temporary workarounds, horses cannot go without access to clean, fresh water.

Many properties rely on electrically powered bore pumps, rainwater tank pressure pumps or reticulation systems to deliver water to troughs. Even if a trough is full when the electricity first goes out, can it be refilled without a functioning pump? It’s particularly an issue for small automatic waterers that don’t have a reservoir.

Preparing for a blackout starts by understanding two things: where the water comes from, and how it reaches the horses. A property may have thousands of litres stored in tanks or a reliable bore, but if the only way to access that water is with an electric pump, the supply effectively stops the moment the power goes out.

Conversely, those properties with elevated header tanks may continue supplying water by gravity for hours or even days after losing power. Once the property’s vulnerabilities have been identified, power out contingencies can be put in place.
Portable petrol-powered transfer pumps offer a practical way to move water from dams or storage tanks when electricity is unavailable, while generators or battery-backed systems can keep essential bore or pressure pumps operating until mains power is restored.

Even simple preparations, such as keeping hoses long enough to reach every paddock and having clean buckets or portable troughs on hand, can make watering horses far easier during a black out. Whatever backup system is chosen, it should be tested BEFORE it is needed. A generator that hasn’t been started in months, a transfer pump with stale fuel, or a hose that falls just short of the furthest paddock can quickly turn a minor inconvenience into a welfare issue. Like any piece of emergency equipment, these systems are only as reliable as their maintenance.

Will Your Fences Keep Horses Contained?
Electric tape and temporary fencing are widely used on horse properties, particularly for internal paddock divisions, rotational grazing and managing pasture access. During a blackout, the key is knowing which of those fences rely on mains power.

For horses that respect electric fencing this may not cause an immediate problem, but inquisitive horses, young stock or those confined behind electric tape alone may soon discover the boundary has lost its bite.
Mains-powered energisers will cease operating during an outage unless connected to a backup power source.

If a fence is essential for keeping horses separated, protecting recovering pasture or containing horses in a high-risk area, a battery or solar energiser may provide greater peace of mind. These systems can continue operating independently of the grid, but they are not maintenance free. Batteries gradually lose capacity over time and should be tested regularly, while solar panels need to be kept clean and free from dust, dirt and overhanging vegetation to ensure they continue charging effectively.

Can You Safely Care for Your Horses ?
While a power outage during daylight hours can be inconvenient, losing lighting after dark can become a safety issue.
Whether carrying out evening feeds, checking horses after a storm, treating an injury or assisting a foaling mare, adequate lighting is essential for both horse and handler. Even properties without stables often rely on electric lights in feed sheds, tack rooms, wash bays and around gateways to safely carry out routine tasks.

Fortunately, preparing for a blackout doesn’t require a whole-house backup power system. Rechargeable LED work lights and battery-powered lanterns provide reliable illumination in sheds and work areas, while solar floodlights can improve visibility around stables, shelters and commonly used pathways.

One of the simplest and most practical additions to any emergency kit is a quality head torch. Hands-free lighting allows both hands to remain available for handling horses, opening gates, carrying equipment or administering first aid, making routine tasks safer and considerably easier. Horse owners should keep head torches in multiple, easy to access places, the tack room, the feed shed and the horse float are all locations that could have their own emergency light.

Emergency lighting should be treated like any other piece of safety equipment. Rechargeable lights should be kept charged, spare batteries checked regularly and torches stored in a consistent, easy-to-access location. A quick check every few months will help ensure they are ready when they’re needed most.

Can You Get In - and Out - of the Property?
Electric gates are becoming increasingly common on horse properties, offering convenience, improved security and easier access. While solar-powered systems continue to operate during a grid power outage, mains-powered gates can quickly become an unexpected obstacle if there is no way to operate them manually.
Most electric gates are fitted with a manual release mechanism, but it is only useful if everyone who may need to access the property knows where it is and how to use it. Taking a few minutes to locate the release, check that it operates smoothly and ensure any required keys or tools are kept in an accessible location can prevent unnecessary delays during an emergency.

Alternatively have a second manual access gate if feasible. It can be kept locked the majority of the time and opened for emergency access.
Like any emergency plan, the best time to test property access is before it is needed. A simple trial of manually opening electric gates and identifying any potential obstacles can provide valuable peace of mind should the power go out.

Planning Prevents Panic
A power outage may last only a few hours, or it may continue for days. Regardless of its duration, understanding which systems on a horse property rely on electricity and having practical alternatives in place can help ensure horses continue to receive the care they need.

Preparing for a blackout doesn’t have to mean investing in expensive equipment and infrastructure. Often, it’s the simple measures, such as knowing how to access stored water, maintaining backup power for essential systems, keeping reliable lighting close at hand and testing manual overrides, that make the greatest difference. By identifying vulnerabilities before they’re exposed by an outage, horse owners can be better prepared for whatever nature - or the power network - throws their way.