Two hours fly by and we are done with the tour. We've looked at simple, effective systems and methods all over our farm, and inspired horse owners are heading down the driveway with materials and resource lists in hand. A few are hanging around the paddocks swapping horse stories.
Suddenly, a wonderful sight rewards my morning's work: Two large birds soar out of the neighboring Douglas fir trees and across our paddocks. As they head across the front pasture, we squint to identify them. Bright white heads and tails give them away: Two bald eagles offer the grand finale at today's Horses for Clean Water farm tour.
What can top that? That's easy. My husband Matt and I saddle up our horses to head for the trails.
Further Resources
An important component of my work is to hook folks up with the resources and agencies available to them to help with implementing environmentally friendly choices for managing their land. Conservation districts are nonregulatory agencies that provide landowners with free education and technical assistance on a whole variety of natural resource issues.
To find your local conservation district, go to the website of the National Association of Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org) and click on "State Directories" under "NACD home."
Alayne Blickle, a lifelong equestrian and reining competitor, is the creator/director of Horses for Clean Water, an educational program that promotes environmentally sound horsekeeping.
This article originally appeared in EQUUS 371, August 2008. Find 75 ways to reduce, reuse and recycle on the farm in EQUUS 389, February 2010. Call 301-977-3900 to order back issues.
