permaculture

["Lisa Rollens" <rollens@fidnet.com>]

Hi Claudia,

I don't think I said specifically that "horses basically take care of
themselves", but with some management, ours definitely do.  And yes, I do
trim feet and rotate pastures.  But, as I said, unless the snow is really
deep, they do fine on GOOD pasture all winter.  And yes, again, you have to
haul HOT water out to melt the ice in their troughs and make sure they
drink.  My point was that horses don't need most of what humans tend to
provide to them, and can get by and stay fit and in good shape with very
little, again, with good management.  And yes, they do need salt.  But they
don't "need" a gallon of grain twice a day, a cushy stall or a blanket, a
lot of stall cleaning when they can scatter their manure themselves.  Most
horse owners that I know (5 different states) overfeed and under exercise
their horses.  I have been more worried about obese horses having problems
with the heat in summer than underfed horses.  I guess horses are just like
their owners...and most Americans (anyway) are overweight.  I have a 31 year
old horse who is basically taking care of herself, with just a little help
from me.  She's in fine shape on nothing but grass, salt and water
(diatomaceous earth and kelp meal are in the salt).  Her only wind break
right now is trees, altho I will probably bring her up to the barn this
winter since she is so old, so she can get under the overhang.  When I ride
her pasture buddy she goes along for the exercise.

Yes, there are downsides to horses, too, like your said, a dead horse is a
big problem.  I have never had the experience yet, even tho I have had
horses for almost 30 years.  Don't ever let a horse die in a stall, if you
can help it!  BIG PROBLEM!

Lisa


----- Original Message -----
From: "Claudia Joseph" <permie@earthlink.net>
To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Horses in permaculture


> Hi,
> Horses do not "basically take care of  themselves".  They are
> wonderful but not so bright when it comes to self preservation.  They
> will eat grain to the point of illness, given the opportunity.  They
> do better with some grain in the winter, not just grass.  Their feet
> need trimming to remain healthy.  They need worming regularly.  And
> there are several diseases - such as west Nile virus - that it is
> wise to vaccinate against.  When it is cold, make sure they are
> drinking their water or they can colic and die.  A dead horse is a
> very big experience. One horse is  lonely - they are herd animals and
> like to live in a group or have at least one other horse for company
> - sometimes they will buddy up with a chicken or goat.
>
> They are wonderful for getting around on a piece of land quietly and
> yes, they can teach much.  They can be quite unpredictable and even
> dangerous for a beginner.  A romantic and impressive animal, they
> present many challenges.
>
> Manure is an abundant resource both in the city and country.  Here in
> Brooklyn it is free for the taking and we use it to heat up the
> compost in the winter.  If you have very many horse and put them in a
> barn - which they seem to appreciate - you will have a huge pile of
> manure in no time.  Anyone know what to do with that big pile?  It is
> a problem for many horse owners and they pay to have it hauled away
> if they don't have room to compost it.  We used to sell it for $1 a
> bag when I was a kid.  Sometimes farmers come and get it.    You need
> about an acre of land for each horse.  Horses won't graze over their
> own manure so if they are always out you might need more space than
> that.  Rotating fields is useful in preventing depletion and
> compaction of the land.  Also, remember to give them a salt block -
> they need it.
>
> I love horses and I have seen the down-side too.  Ask any questions,
> I like talking about them.
> Happy trails,
> Claudia
>
>