Mansfield, Missouri - Eco-friendly Horse Properties Part 2

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

The Ozarks offers a climate and geography to appeal to the small property owner. Horses are extremely popular. The World Headquarters of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breeding Association is located at Ava, Missouri, right in the heart of the Ozarks. There is an ample population of Amish people who utilize horses for transportation and work.

The horse people want to make the most of their horses' and the management of the animals. Going Green is more than a mission and philosophy. Planning in the beginning can make the entire effort very cost worthy.

As writing in Eco-friendly Horse Properties Part 1, we have a small location. A lot can be done on three acres. We have some plans for more fencing that would let the gelding graze -- cutting the mowing with all the attendant problems and pollution, or we can use that space for some more hay. I won't hijack this group with a rant about my opinon on the evils of mowing, but an area in our country the size of Pennsylvania belongs to lawn mowers. Ridiculous.

We aren't ready to build the next farm yet, so the area on our land for building is open. This year, it produced hay for our horses.

There is a chance, if the rains continue, there may be another cutting. There will for sure be pasture.

For the benefit of construction on the horse property, that hay went into a shelter. Taking care of the crop is an element of stewardship that I am fanatical about. In the past, I started the 'construction' of a 'barn' while DH was still working in Wyoming He laughed, but then enlarged and refined until this year.

This year, he built an attractive addition to the property that works for us at present and will be useful to the next owner.

The old 'barn' is gone for the betterment of the appearance of the place.

Again, there are over 44 inches of average precipitation in this country.

That means gallons of water running off the roofs of buildings which deserves utilization on its way back to the ocean. Via the Mighty Mississippi. We have one small tank gathering at the house now and plan for more in our next project.

The Ozarks is a great place to bring horses and families. Alternative construction and good stewardship of the land is a priority with most of the people. For many, it is a matter of waste not, want not.