janeAnne's comments and ideas this morning on her post to the Eco All Stars HORSE and HOME, have given me inspiration to share how we do this on a small scale that can be adjusted to fit most any budget and fit most any land size. We have a small property -- just over three acres. All of that isn't available for use due to slopes, woods, etc. So, what do we do to make comfortable, loved horses and benefit the property?
Just a few things, but as we live and learn here, we're laying even greater plans for the next project.
We have horses as a vice. We love them and enjoy the chores. They provide company, fertilizer and a reason to go outside a few times a day.
Ace is a registered Morgan stallion who likes to show off his shiny black coat with his Mimosa tree in his territory.
Fritz is a young Morgan cross gelding. We had his mother and would have brought her, but just before we moved, a neighbor came by and needed a good cowpony and dude trail horse. She took up with his daughter right away.
We have clay soils with rocks. DH has hauled TONS of manure out of the horse pens for the garden area. I have hauled wheelbarrow loads around the property, tossing a forkful into surprise lilies peonies, yuccas, lilacs, forsythias, snowballs, etc.
Rainwater from roofs of buildings can be stored for use -- back-up for livestock, gardens, to support a pond, many uses. The barns for horses and hay can serve in many ways.
The Ozarks' climate lends itself to an increasingly popular building design. This design utilizes a basic Pole Barn structure and includes livestock stalls, shops/garages, living quarters for the people. One that we are watching go up will have the horses stalls on the road and pasture side, a large garage next and the living quarters on a more secluded sides that is also open to views the horses don't give a hoot about.
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