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Small Farm Makeover: Fire Safety in Equestrian Stable Barns

Fire Safety
Consult your local fire department to improve fire safety in your barn and let them get familiar with your property in case of an emergency.

Your local fire department is a great resource. This year alone, 77 horses have already died in the U.S due to barn fire—already in June, surpassing the annual average for the last three years. One of my responsibilities, as an architect, is to design buildings that safeguard the health and …

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Small Farm Makeover: Will the Barn You Build Be Good for the Neighborhood?

Barn

Sensitivity in Barn Design as a Steward of the Land Land development comes with responsibilities that go beyond paying taxes and keeping the grass, cover crop, or woods maintained. Ideally, when property owners seek to construct permanent structures, such as houses and barns, consideration for all aspects of environmental impact …

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Create Climate Resilience on Your Horse Property – 6 Ways Horse Owners Can Help the Earth

Rotational grazing improves pasture productivity. Photos from Alayne Blickle

Climate change is a defining issue of our time, and we’re at a pivotal moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and increasing at a mind-numbing rate. Climate resilience is the …

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September To-Do List: Set Up Good Lighting! – It’s Time to Prepare for the Dark Winter

Paddock lighting is a definite must-have for those with outdoor confinement areas and 9 to 5 jobs. Photos by Alayne Blickle

Even though summer is just barely in the rearview mirror, fall is the time of the year for winterizing horse properties. Chore efficiency is always my mantra, and this is especially true when prepping for the cold, rainy, snowy, windy, and dark months ahead. Setting things up so the barn …

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Water-Wise Tips for Horse Owners – Do Your Part to Save Water on the Farm and Beyond

Using native drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping limits your need to use water. Photo from Alayne Blickle

If you live out West and manage horses on your property, you are undoubtedly pondering ways to reduce and conserve water. Many western states are suffering from prolonged drought conditions; some areas are even experiencing drinking water issues. With climate change looming, we each need to do what we can …

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10 Reasons to Create a Small-Scale Trail Course on Your Horse Property

Short trail paths created with natural objects and plantings. Photo by Alayne Blickle

Trail courses are fun for horses and riders and can be beneficial for the natural environment. Landscaping a trail course with native plants can provide food and habitat for native insects and wildlife. Add in old logs and brush and rock piles, and you have the perfect habitat for other …

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