Earth Month: Eco-Friendly Horse Keeping
Earth Month, celebrated each April, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action to protect the environment. But as horse owners, how can we contribute? Here are some top tips.
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
Buy Green or DIY
One of the biggest changes I made at my barn over a decade ago was eliminating most products containing toxic chemicals. Since then, I’ve switched to greener alternatives—and even started making my own. Here are a few of my favorite DIY recipes.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
We all love our tried-and-true baling twine fixes, but there’s so much more we can reuse around the barn. Personally, I repurpose empty feed bags as liners for trash cans, and I take it a step further by choosing feed that comes in paper bags instead of plastic. I’ve also reused supplement buckets as storage containers and turned old saddle pads into stuffing for cat and dog beds.
For anything I can’t find a second life for, I do my best to recycle.
Go Solar
Solar-powered lighting, fans, and even water heaters are now widely available. While the initial costs may be higher than their non-solar counterparts, the “payback period”—or the time it takes to recoup the investment through savings on electricity bills—is getting shorter every year as more products enter the market.
Solar is also a fantastic option for pasture shelters located far from the main barn. On my previous property, we installed both a light and multiple box fans powered by a single solar panel. It was easy to set up, low-maintenance, and best of all—even during a power outage—my horses still had light and airflow.
Image by Alisa Dyson from Pixabay
Let There Be Light
Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent — or even better, LED lighting. LED lights use just 10 to 20 percent of the energy of incandescent bulbs and can last up to 20 times longer.
You can also install motion detectors or smart lights that connect to your phone. These can automatically turn on when you approach the barn, or be controlled remotely—so if you forget to switch them off, you can do it right from your phone.
Compost
We all know what it is—and it remains one of the most eco-friendly things a barn can do. Some farm managers even sell their compost to generate a little extra income.
Conserve Water
Check for leaks, install water-saving fixtures and regulators, and consider collecting rainwater. Adding gutters and downspouts to your barn roof allows you to capture rainwater and store it in barrels. While some sources say this water is safe for horses to drink or bathe in, even the most cautious owners can still put it to good use—like watering dusty arenas or landscaping around the barn.
Build a Better Barn
If you’re building an entirely new facility, careful planning can make a big difference. Place buildings on the highest ground, with pastures sloping away from the barn to help manage drainage. For a greener approach, consider using sustainable materials like bamboo. The style of the building is just as important as the materials.
“Natural ventilation is great for animals,” Joe Martinolich told AQHA Journal. “Open, vaulted spaces allow warm air to rise and exhaust. Ridge vents bring fresh air back in.”
High ceilings and exterior stall doors—with top halves that can be opened—encourage airflow, bring in natural light, and reduce the barn’s overall reliance on electricity.
Protect the Land
This is a crucial—but often overlooked—part of being eco-friendly: pasture management. Healthy pastures and minimal mud not only benefit your horses but also the environment. The key is to rotate grazing areas and, most importantly, avoid overpopulating them in the first place.
Go riding.
Amanda Uechi Ronan is an equestrian, author, and wannabe race car driver. Follow her on Instagram @au_ronan.
