Passive composting

If you own a small farm (1-5 horses), this method may be right for you. According to my new favorite book on going green, "Eco-horsekeeping",by Lucinda Dyer, this is the method for you.
It involves forming small piles of manure (heaven knows we have lots of that), 5-7 feet at the base and and about 3 feet high. This is easiest done if the manure is placed in a bin or container (with spacing in the sides to allow for airflow).

Fill the first bin, then move on to the second bin; by that time 2-4 months will have passed and the first bin will have composted for use. The piles should be covered to prevent the pile from getting too wet or too dry (like Goldie Locks porridge, just right). Turning the compost will get the outside manure to the middle where the heat will kill parasites and weeds.

This sounds like a recipe I can handle.

Happy piling, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Packin It

Now that I'm back in gear to head out on longer trail rides, I've been thinking about what to pack in my saddle bag. I've seen several recent articles about what is essential to carry, but my "pack light" mentality is in direct conflict with what I've read. Yes, I think a cell phone is essential, assuming you're not in a "dead zone". I say yes to sun screen, fluids, a compass, a first aid kit, snacks, and a multipurpose tool. I do forget that I should carry identification on me and a description of my horse should we be "separated" (heaven forbid). Actually this did happen once when a wild turkey surprised her in the grass and she bolted, without me.

Everyone has priorities. I've seen riders prioritize other essentials like hair accessories, changes of clothes, make up, gourmet lunches, and designer water. As for me, a lead line, duck tape, my bee kit, and a sponge (during hot weather), and I'm good to go. I'm thinking of buying one of those pocket raincoats you see at the dollar store and I think I'll be ready to roll.

See you on trail, Kathy Horsedrivensite.net

Mud Fight

Spring brings rain and rain brings mud and mud brings a challenge because horses love it so. My current strategy is to keep the horses in, let them dry out and start chipping away. I have a variety of grooming tools. One is shaped like a flower, another looks like a messager, and another is a rubber mitt with nubby bumps to loosen hair and break apart those dried up chunks of dirt. I use them all and sometimes with one in each hand.

I wear a dust mask to prevent back lung, so I look like a surgeon in a very dirty operating room. I then brush, starting with the most course brush to the finest, with "cookie" breaks for the horse because getting clean can be stressful and usually unwanted. Without hot water in my barn, I utilize a waterless shampoo as the final step.

I then rest up to do it all over again the next day.

Happy grooming, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

On the Road Again

The snow is gone, the roads are clear, trees have not yet leafed out which makes visibility good. It's time to harness up my Haflinger and to do some road driving. He's barefoot so this means dusting off his Swiss hoof boots. He knows the routine and obligingly lifts each hoof as if he were shoe shopping.

He's had many miles of road work and is a worthy road warrior. Our community has a few equine drivers, but for the most part, we have to be sure that we are visible to cars and try to take roads that are less traveled (like the name of the book). Semi trucks, motorcycles, noisy mufflers don't phase my Haflinger.

However, every so often there will be a killer balloon on a mailbox or a garbage can of a different color that catches his attention. Usually with encouragement he'll trot past. Of course none of these "monsters" give him the slightest trouble on the way home.

There's nothing like watching life glide by at 5 miles per hour.

Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Fly Predators

The first year that I brought a horse to my property I was in shock one day when I went to my barn to find flies buzzing everywhere and I felt like I was in the fly version of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Mind you I had one horse at the time. I might add that I am surrounded by neighbors who raise cattle.

Heading to Home Depot like an Indy racer, I stocked up on fly paper and traps in the hopes of outwitting those pests. We had some relief, but the last straw was when I saw hundreds of flies sunning themselves on my deck which is 200 feet from the barn. Did they think this was their version of Spring break? Was I supposed to serve cold beer?

Planning early the following year I ordered Fly Predators and eagerly awaited my first shipment. Fly predators sole purpose in life is to live on manure and eat fly larvae. It's a beautiful life. They don't bother anyone else, are barely visible and reportedly are in the wasp family but don't sting.

The package arrived with several small cocoons. I eagerly awaited for them to start to hatch before I sprinkled them on manure. It's not overnight magic, but having done this for several years I can tell you there has been significant improvement even with cattle surrounding us.

In addition, this year I'll be experimenting with hanging zip lock bags of water with a few pennies in them. Sounds like making a wish, but I've read several recent articles about how this repels flies. I'll keep you posted.

Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Fly Away, The Sequal

I did a little research on the Internet looking for the ingredients for the natural, homemade fly spray I wrote about. The ingredient that mystified me the most was the ploysorbate 20. This sounded rather ominous, but it turns out that it's an oleic acid derived from olive oil and is said to be non irritating.

There are numerous websites for essential oils, so you can price shop and shop for good shipping deals. I found a website named silkyscents.com which seemed to have a wide variety of essential oils. Another website named makingcosmetics.com is where I found polysorbate 20 which is used as an emulsifier for the spray.

Can't wait to smell all of these ingredients mixed together. If nothing else we'll come off the trail defying our usual post ride odor.

Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

Equine Affaire

There are only three Equine Affaires in the country. One in California, another in Massachusetts and the third in my home state of Ohio at the Ohio State Fair Grounds in Columbus. I've made an annual pilgrimage to Equine Affaire the past 12 years because I never fail to learn something new (of course the fabulous shopping doesn't hurt either).

This year EA starts April 8Th and runs through Sun., April 10Th. One admission fee entitles you to attend as many seminars as you wish that day. There are one day passes and passes for all four days. It's also opening season for funnel cake consumption, but my cholesterol level only allows me one funnel cake per year and I don't want to blow it all in April.

The seminar schedule will make your head spin there are so many choices. Here are a few that have caught my eye: "Improving Your Driven Dressage Score", "Equine Photography: Capturing the Horse in Still and Live Action" ( how about how to get ears pointing forward),"Improving your Horse's Hazard Driving Performance", "Emergency Care for You and Your Horse on Trail", "Equitreking, Top Ten Places to Ride Before You Die".

The whole experience is a blast, and it's a great way to rethink and to review your current horse care and riding practices. So see you there.

Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net