At Horses for Clean Water, we believe that horse owners play a significant role in the fight against climate change. We’ve been teaching sustainable horse keeping and land management since 1997.
Our Story
After working with conservation districts in the Pacific northwest for several years, founder Alayne Blickle saw a great need for resources designed to help equestrians who want to minimize their impact on the environment and increase climate resilience on their horse properties. Through events, consultations, and educational materials, we strive to share science-backed techniques for managing mud and manure, conserving water, protecting wildlife habitat, and more.
Since our inception nearly thirty years ago, Horses for Clean Water has become an award-winning, internationally acclaimed environmental education program trusted by horse owners all over the world.
Our Approach to Horse Keeping
We believe that an intentional approach to horse keeping can not only benefit our horses, but also the environment around us. From horse pastures sequestering carbon to opportunities for preserving and restoring wildlife habitat, horse properties are uniquely suited to becoming assets in the fight against climate change. Our approach to horse keeping is centered on the following principles:
Keep Clean Water Clean
The golden rule of water conservation is “keep clean water clean.” Muddy runoff carries sediments and nutrients from manure, which is detrimental to aquatic wildlife when it pollutes streams, ponds, and wetlands. Polluted runoff can also cause problems for ground water—a special concern for those on a well. Water-conscious practices such as diverting rain water, minimizing mud, utilizing native vegetation to filter runoff, and correctly managing compost piles can help prevent the common causes of water pollution found on horse properties.
Create Productive Pastures
Healthy pastures can sequester up to a ton of carbon per acre each year, storing it in their roots and the soil. They also reduce erosion, filter polluted runoff, decrease soil temperatures, retain moisture, and limit the spread of noxious weeds. Simple practices such as rotational grazing, keeping horses off of wet pastures, and returning nutrients to the soil by spreading composted manure can create productive pastures that feed our horses and benefit the environment.
Protect Wildlife Habitat
Many of the common struggles shared by horse owners—including insect pests, rodents, and mud—can be addressed by creating and preserving habitat for wildlife. Wildlife friendly practices such as native landscaping supports our declining pollinators, attracts pest predators, conserves water, and protects vital migration routes.
Reduce Chemical Use
By implementing a multifaceted approach that utilizes natural and mechanical control methods, most horse operations can manage weeds and pests with little to no use of chemical control methods. When extreme cases do warrant the use of chemical controls, doing so carefully will benefit both horses and the environment.
Safeguard Horse Health
By emphasizing proper nutrition, allowing natural behaviors and healthy movement, and maintaining safe and hygienic living conditions, we give our horses the best chance to thrive in balance with the environment.
Meet the Team
Alayne Blickle
Alayne Blickle began her career in water conservation and natural resources education in the early 1990’s as a pioneer in the industry, creating an entrepreneurial woman-owned consulting business, Horses for Clean Water.
Alayne has an undergraduate degree in psychology and natural sciences (BA, Southern Illinois University) and an MA in communications (Southern Illinois University), post-graduate work in fine art photography (University of Alaska), and educational media (University of Washington).
As a life-long learner, Alayne keeps her education current in areas of sustainable agronomy, natural resource management, rangeland ecology, soil health, and equine science. She has taken Extension training programs for Master Composter/Recycler, Livestock Advisor, Living on the Land, and Master Gardener.
Horses for Clean Water has become an award-winning, internationally acclaimed education program that looks for horse-healthy, non-toxic, nature-based solutions to land-management challenges. Today she partners with agencies, organizations, and horse owners throughout North America and world-wide teaching water conservation, chemical use reduction, manure management and composting, pasture management and climate resilience, soil health, mud management, chore efficiency, and much more.
Alayne is a regularly contributing writer and photojournalist to several equine publications including The Horse, TheHorse.com, Stable Management, and Northwest Horse Source.
Alayne lives with her horse trainer husband, Matt Livengood, in southwestern Idaho where they raise and train AQHA horses and mustangs on their eco-friendly horse ranch, Sweet Pepper Ranch.
Matt Livengood
Matt Livengood is an NRHA, NRCHA, AQHA specialty, and ASHA judge, trainer, and show manager. Matt has been a National Reining Horse Association judge since 1999 and added AQHA ranch riding to the list in 2019. In 2020 Matt judged ranch riding and reining at the AQHA World Show. In 2022 he judged six multi-day upper-level NRHA shows across the country. Matt, a seasoned reining competitor, has competed in six Mustang Makeover events, reaching the finals in five and winning the 2017 Reno Extreme Mustang Makeover as well as the 2019 Cle Elum, WA Mustang Madness Freestyle. He teaches riders and horses about ranch riding and ranch trail, as well as groundwork and starting mustangs at his home, Sweet Pepper Ranch, in Nampa, ID.
Matt is also committed to natural resources conservation. He served as a chair for the Board of Supervisors for the King Conservation District in Renton, WA, for 3 years. Currently he is president of the Idaho Horse Council.
Jess Friedman
Jess Friedman is Horses for Clean Water’s digital editor. She has dabbled in many riding disciplines, but loves trail riding most of all. She has previously worked as a riding instructor, groom and stable hand, horse camp counselor, and as the director of an agriculture education program.
Jess has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership (Brigham Young University) and a master’s in Organic Farming (Newcastle University). She is passionate about regenerative agriculture and responsible land stewardship.
Jess has 20 years of experience in video production, photography, graphic design, and web development, and she is eager to use those skills to promote the mission and outreach goals of Horses for Clean Water.