Eco-Horsekeeping Over 100 Budget-Friendly Ways You and Your Horse Can Save the Planet

by Dyer, Lucinda; Minard, Rebecca

• ISBN13: 9781570764165
• ISBN10: 1570764166
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-01
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Summary

Finally, the advice you need to stop worrying about the environment and start doing something about saving it-while at the same time saving money! And best of all, your green initiative can begin in the barn, alongside your horse. Who knew the cheapest, easiest earth-friendly practices could revolve around your equestrian passion? So dig into Eco-Horsekeeping's economical tips, and help preserve the planet for generations of riders and horse owners to come.

Author Biography

Lucinda Dyer is a horse owner and author of Back to Work: How to Rehabilitate or Recondition Your Horse. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Introduction and Note to the Reader	p. xi
26 Tips for a Greener Barn	p. 1
Let's Talk Trash	p. 2
Become a Recycling Know-it-All p2
Green in the Real World: Setting an Example at Spring Valley Equestrian Center	p. 3
Use Your Imagination: Create "Reuses"	p. 4
Green in the Real World: How Recycled Grain Bags Helped One Animal Shelter Continue its Mission	p. 5
Buy Recycled Paper Products for the Barn Bathroom and Tack Room	p. 5
Green in the Real World: Nothing Equine Goes to Waste in San Juan Capistrano, California	p. 6
New Life for Old Ribbons	p. 8
Earth-Friendly Cleaning	p. 8
Green-Clean the Barn Bathroom	p. 8
Advice from the Eco Experts: How "Toxic" Is Your Barn?	p. 9
Discover the Power of Plain Old Baking Soda	p. 12
Give Windows and Glass a Vinegar-and-Water Wash	p. 12
Keep Your Horse Troughs Clean with Goldfish	p. 12
Lose the Gas-Powered Leaf Blower	p. 14
Simple Ways to Green Your Energy Use	p. 15
Replace Incandescent Light Bulbs with Compact Fluorescents (CFLs)	p. 15
Use Rechargeable Batteries	p. 16
Keep Tabs on the Water Heater	p. 16
Go Tankless	p. 16
Moderate Use of Heated Water Buckets and Tanks	p. 16
Advice from the Eco Experts: Creating a Barn that Puts Horses First	p. 17
Let the Summer Sun Cool Your Barn	p. 20
Thinking Twice before Wasting Water	p. 21
Become Conservation-Conscious	p. 22
Lose the Drip	p. 23
Go Low-Flow	p. 23
Reuse Water Whenever Possible	p. 23
Install a Toilet with Choices	p. 23
Update the Barn Washing Machine	p. 24
Hook up a Rain Barrel	p. 24
Pest Control the Natural Way	p. 24
Banish Bugs with Small Flying Creatures	p. 24
Invite Bats to Board at Your Barn	p. 25
Wage War Naturally on the Dreaded Horsefly	p. 25
Advice from the Eco Experts: Going "Batty"	p. 26
Rely on Your Feathered Friends	p. 28
Green in the Real World: A Year at an (Almost) Zero Carbon Hoofprint Barn	p. 31
13 Tips for a Greener Horse	p. 37
Choose Green Horsekeeping Products	p. 38
Examine Product Labels	p. 39
Use Shampoos and Conditioners that Are Kind to Your Horse and the Local Fish and Wildlife	p. 39
Prepare Your Own Nontoxic Flyspray	p. 40
Advice from the Eco Experts: How to Choose and Use Products that Are Safe for your Horse	p. 42
Consider the Benefits of Herbal Remedies, Essential Oils, and Flower Essences	p. 44
Green in the Real World: Feeling Natural (and Sustainable) at Equilite TM	p. 45
Think about the Before-and-After of Product Packaging	p. 46
Green in the Real World: The SmartPak TM Environmental Program	p. 47
Green Your Tack and Equipment	p. 48
Buy Gently Used	p. 49
Stream-Friendly Laundry	p. 49
Make Your Whites Whiter with Non-Chlorine Bleach	p. 50
Give Your Wooden Tack Trunk an Eco-Friendly Shine	p. 51
The Ultimate Recycling Program: Equine Adoption and Foster Care	p. 51
Save an Ex-Racehorse	p. 52
Rescue a PMU Mare or Foal	p. 53
Give a Home to a "Pasture Pal"	p. 54
Advice from the Eco Experts: Jen Reid's Tips for Adopting a "Pasture Pal"	p. 54
Become a Foster Parent	p. 57
15 Tips for a Greener Rider	p. 61
Reduce Rider-Related Waste	p. 62
Clean Out Your Mailbox	p. 62
Renew Online	p. 62
No More Bottled Water!	p. 63
Green in the Real World: 4-H for the Planet	p. 64
Consider a Cloth Shopping Bag	p. 65
Green Garments and Gear	p. 65
Buy Gently Used	p. 66
Organize a Swap Meet	p. 66
Green in the Real World: The Winter Weeknight Switch-n-Bitch	p. 67
Recycle Fleece-Wear	p. 67
Resole Boots and Clogs	p. 68
Give That Grimy Pair of Running Shoes You Wear to the Barn a New Life	p. 68
Donate Clothes and Boots to Riders in Need	p. 68
Green in the Real World: Green as g.r.a.s.s.	p. 69
Wear Organic Only	p. 69
Green in the Real World: The Ariat R Alternative	p. 70
Dry Clean with Caution	p. 70
Shine Boots the Natural Way	p. 71
Health-Conscious Personal Products	p. 71
Make Certain Your Sunscreen is Both Safe and Effective	p. 71
Go Deet-Free	p. 72
23 Tips for Reducing Your Carbon Hoofprint on the Road and at Shows and Events	p. 75
On the Road	p. 75
Horsepool	p. 76
Monitor Your Mileage	p. 76
Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned	p. 76
Replace a Faulty Oxygen Sensor	p. 77
Replace a Clogged Air Filter	p. 77
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated	p. 77
Get an Alignment	p. 77
Buy Low-Rolling-Resistance (LRR) Tires	p. 78
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil	p. 78
Drive Sensibly	p. 78
Slow Down	p. 78
Don't "Top Off" Your Tank	p. 78
Use Cruise Control	p. 78
Use Overdrive Gears	p. 79
Use Your GPS	p. 79
Don't Be a "Puffer"	p. 79
Be a Gas Price-Shopper	p. 80
Seek Alternative Fuel	p. 80
Taking Your Eco-Consciousness Along to Shows and Events	p. 80
Don't Leave Your Trash Behind	p. 81
Green in the Real World: Going "Eco" at the Wayne DuPage Horse Trials	p. 81
Use Pedal and Sun Power	p. 83
Don't Be a Water Hog	p. 84
Be a Low-Energy Motel/Hotel Guest	p. 84
Lobby for Recycling	p. 84
Green in the Real World: Recycling at Chaps 'N Breeches	p. 84
25 Tips for a Greener Farm	p. 87
Learn from the Environmental Experts-for Free!	p. 87
Customized Conservation	p. 88
University Connections	p. 89
Getting the Government Involved	p. 89
First Priority: All Things Manure	p. 90
Stop: Don't Spread That Fresh Manure!	p. 90
The Composing Key	p. 91
Green in the Real World: Manure, and the 2008 Olympics	p. 93
Green in the Real World: Recycling Compost to Friends and Neighbors	p. 100
Simple Ways to "Greener" Pastures	p. 101
Soil Test before You Fertilize	p. 102
Control Weeds	p. 102
Drag Pastures to Redistribute Manure	p. 103
Rotate Turnout	p. 103
Advice from the Eco Experts: Handling Pesticides like a Pro	p. 104
Make War on Mud	p. 106
Water: A Precious Resource	p. 106
Harvesting Rainwater-The Facts	p. 107
Green in the Real World: Rainwater Harvesting at Clearwater Farm	p. 108
The Power of Alternative Energy	p. 113
Going Solar	p. 113
Green in the Real World: Warming a Cold Indoor with Passive Solar Power	p. 116
Harnessing the Wind	p. 117
Green in the Real World: Sustainability Tips for the Horse World from Equine Journal	p. 123
Getting Around the Farm	p. 125
Trucks That Don't Need a Trip to the Gas Pump	p. 125
Make Your Farm Wildlife-Friendly	p. 125
Get Help	p. 126
Give Your Feathered Friends a Place to Rest	p. 126
Encourage Your Wild Neighbors	p. 127
Go Native	p. 127
Don't Discriminate against Slithering Sorts	p. 127
Green in the Real World: Going Wild at Quailwood Farm	p. 127
Protect Your Land from Development	p. 130
Keep Trails Open to Equestrians	p. 130
Get Involved in Land Use Planning	p. 131
Know Your Zoning	p. 131
Buy the Development Rights	p. 132
Work with Your Local Land Trust	p. 132
Rest Easy with a Conservation Easement	p. 132
12 Tips for Greener Farm Dogs and Barn Cats	p. 137
A Sensible First Step: Give Your Barn a Pet "Safety Check"	p. 138
Store Antifreeze Out of Harm's Way	p. 138
Ban Rat and Mouse Bait	p. 139
Promote Proper Storage of Medication and Supplements	p. 139
Invest in Dog-Proof Containers	p. 139
Check Car Engines for Sleeping Cats	p. 139
Advice from the Eco Experts: Hoof Treats and Manure Cookies	p. 140
Reduce the Number of Unwanted Dogs and Cats	p. 140
Control Population Growth	p. 141
"Recycle" Your Next Pet	p. 141
Try Organic and Green Petkeeping Practices	p. 141
No More Junk Food!	p. 141
Make Your Own Natural Dog Biscuits	p. 142
Look for Eco-Friendly Toys, Accessories, and Petkeeping Products	p. 143
Use All Natural Homemade Dog Shampoo	p. 144
Use Caution when Applying Flea and Tick Treatment	p. 145
Green in the Real World: Cleaning up Pet Products with GreenPaws	p. 147
Afterword	p. 148
Index	p. 149
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