Preparing Horse Properties for Winter

Preparing Horse Properties for Winter

You can count on Pacific Northwest winters being cold, wet, dark, and windy. During many winters you can add snowy and icy to that description. For horse owners this usually means struggles such as slogging through mud to do chores with less time to ride or exercise horses. As it is with most everything, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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Track Paddock Highlight with Sarah and Jeremy Vecchi

Track Paddock Highlight with Sarah and Jeremy Vecchi

Track paddocks are an excellent way to keep your horses moving and interested when they aren’t on pasture. Track paddocks can also help protect water quality by avoiding overgrazing and compaction of your pastures that may become vulnerable to mud and runoff during the wet season.

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Streamside Restoration at Polestar Farm

Streamside Restoration at Polestar Farm

In addition to its three riparian buffers, Polestar Farm is home to upwards of 20 beaver dams, creating a wetland nested within the forest. The slowed water caused by a beaver dam helps keep horse waste and other pollutants from entering the stream quickly, and also recharges groundwater. 

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Putting the Plan Before the Horse

Putting the Plan Before the Horse

It’s a privilege to be a part of new beginnings, and we’re fortunate to have stories like the Rhinevaults to share with others starting out. Most of the people we work with would say that their farms and livestock ventures are a work in progress, and we’re available to help every step of the way.

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Talking Mud on a Sunny Day

Talking Mud on a Sunny Day

We are so thankful to the 20 horse folks that came to our Horsekeeping in the Winter Wet farm tour.

Funding is currently available for certain projects in the Lower Stillaguamish PIC Project area. Even if you don't live in this area, please contact Michael Hipp at 425-377-7019 for advice and/or a free site visit to help you manage mud and manure for your sanity, your horses' health, and the health of the environment around you.

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Tania & Bob Partridge, A Mud-free and Super-efficient Horse Farm

Tania & Bob Partridge, A Mud-free and Super-efficient Horse Farm

Tania and Bob participate in our Sound Horsekeeping program and were awarded an attractive sign to show visitors that their farm is managed to reduce mud, manage manure, improve pastures, and enhance wildlife habitat. Would you like to be recognized as a Sound Horsekeeper? Learn how at http://snohomishcd.org/sound-horsekeeping-sign-program or call Michael Hipp at 425-377-7019.

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