Earth Day Projects for Horse Farms

first published in the April 2025 Equiery

Protecting our planet is not as daunting as some may think as each of us can make a big impact with simple, and often economical, adjustments to everyday life. Below are just a few projects horse farm owners can do to make both their farms and the Earth a healthy place for people and horses.

Water Conservation

• Controlling Runoff – Controlling runoff water can be done in many ways including diverting surface water and/or installing gutters with rain barrels. County Soil Conservation Districts can help you create a detailed water management plan. For more information, read “Maryland’s Soil Conservation Districts” on equiery.com.
• Organize a Stream Clean Up – If you have a stream that runs through your property, organize a day to remove trash and clear debris. This is also a great opportunity to check the stream’s banks for any erosion issues that may need fixing.
• Short Showers – Conserve water by limiting the time spent hosing horses in general. Using a bucket and sponge to wash off your horse also conserves water.

Soil Conservation

• Conservation Plans – Contact your local Soil Conservation District to help create a soil conservation plan for your farm. Conservation plans include a farm map, soil information, inventory of natural resources, engineering notes and recommended best management practices. These services are free and voluntary.
• Composting – Composting manure has many benefits including saving costs on manure removal. The University of Maryland Equine Studies program has information on how to build a composting area at your farm and the Soil Conservation Districts can assist with cost-sharing funds from federal and state programs.
• Gardens & Vegetative Cover – Creating flower gardens and hedge rows not only improves the aesthetics of your farm but also helps reduce erosion. Certain plants can also provide habitat for pollinators and migratory birds. Commonly used covers include native grasses, shrubs, and groundcovers.
• Blue Stone – Laying blue stone in high traffic areas such as around water sources and gates can help reduce mud and runoff.
• Soil Testing – Test your pasture soil at least every three years to determine your pasture’s fertilizer and lime needs. Keeping your soil in tip top shape helps keep your pasture growth dense to help withstand trampling by horses. For tips on how to improve your pasture’s soil, read “Know Your Soil” and “10 Steps to a Healthy Productive Horse Pasture” on equiery.com.
• Heavy Use Pads – Restricting horses to heavy use pads and/or sacrifice lots helps protect pasture soil during the growing season as well as when very wet. For detailed instructions on building a heavy use pad at your farm, read “Give Mud the Boot” on equiery.com.

Electricity & Power

• Light Bulbs – Replacing the light bulbs and light fixtures in your barn with energy-efficient bulbs both saves energy and money.
• Lower the Heat – Lowering the temperature of hot water heaters also saves energy and money.
• Solar Power – Consider installing solar panels on various buildings at your farm. The panels often pay for their own installation within a year or two. To read more, see “Going Green with Solar Power” on equiery.com.
• Unplug – Unplugging all electrical devices at the barn when not in use also saves power. This is also a good time to check the condition of cords, plugs, and outlets to be sure everything is in safe working order.

Community Projects

• Organize a Road Clean Up – Plan a day with your barn family to pick up trash along the road(s) near your farm. Be sure to keep in mind local traffic patterns and avoid peak traffic times.
• Volunteer for a Trail Maintenance – Organize a trail clearing and maintenance day at a nearby park or join one being organized by your local trail group, DNR or Maryland Parks Service.
• Recycled Shopping Bags – Did you know most feed bags can be repurposed into reusable shopping bags? Organize a bag making party at your barn to recycle and reuse those bags.
• Recycling – Be sure to provide recycling bins for your boarders and students. Placing bins in high traffic areas such as tack rooms increases visibility and use.
• Advocate – Get involved with your local lawmakers by writing letters to local politicians voicing your support for environmental causes. Consider becoming a Maryland Horse Council member as well to support its efforts on conserving open space and other issues related to the Maryland horse industry.