Healthy horse standing in pasture with environmental water conservation symbols, promoting sustainable horse keeping practices.
July News: Bits and Tips for Summer
Man leading a horse in a sustainable horse farm with pasture and manure management practices aimed at protecting water quality.

Traveling with Your Horse?

Check out our blog on horse lodging resources, and if you’re in the Nampa/Boise ID area, come visit us at Sweet Pepper Ranch!

West Nile Virus Update

While equine cases of the virus have dropped significantly from their high of over 15,000 cases in 2002, it is prudent to remain vigilant and continue to both reduce mosquito habitat and update your equine vaccinations. The first case of WNV in California was reported last week in a 5 yr. old unvaccinated thoroughbred.

Last year the states with the highest incident of equine WNV were: Washington, California, Texas, Colorado, Missouri and Illinois. Check out this interesting chart from USDA on the progression of west nile virus in horses over time. Some state veterinarians, because of the movement of insects due to climatic changes and current weather conditions are urging horse owners who have not yet vaccinated to do so.

Trying to Beat Those Weeds?

If you spray, try out a safer alternative for people, pets and the planet. Here’s a homemade herbicide recipe for tank sprayers or spray bottles that’s low in chemicals and caustic substances. All the ingredients can be purchased at garden stores or home centers. This weed spray is most useful on driveways or patio areas. Don’t use it on a lawn, as it is non-selective, meaning it will kill all plants, and the residue left in the soil will prohibit new growth.

  • 1 gallon household white vinegar — or horticultural vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Turbo Spreader Sticker Concentrate
  • 1 ounce insecticidal soap concentrate

Directions: Mix ingredients together in a tank sprayer and spot spray weeds on a calm, sunny day when it is not going to rain for at least 12 hours. The spreader sticker, when used as an additive to sprays, acts as an adhering agent, helping to disperse the product evenly and protect it from rain and sun degradation. The spreader sticker keeps the product on the plants, and doesn’t let it run off or evaporate.

Why Wildlife Don’t Usually Need “Rescuing” – Reminders from WDFW:

As summer heats up, wildlife can become more noticeable as they move closer to human activity for “easy pickings.” Read some tips from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on when not to rescue wildlife, and answers on how do deal with wildlife questions or issues you may have.

Picture of Alayne Blickle
Alayne Blickle
Alayne Blickle is a lifelong equestrian, ranch riding competitor, and the creator and director of Horses for Clean Water. Well-known for her enthusiastic, down-to-earth approach, Blickle is an educator who has worked with horse and livestock owners since 1990, teaching manure composting, pasture management, mud and dust control, water conservation, chemical use reduction, fire preparedness, and wildlife enhancement.  Blickle and her husband raise and train their mustangs and quarter horses at their eco-sensitive guest ranch, Sweet Pepper Ranch, in sunny Nampa, Idaho.
Picture of Alayne Blickle
Alayne Blickle
Alayne Blickle is a lifelong equestrian, ranch riding competitor, and the creator and director of Horses for Clean Water. Well-known for her enthusiastic, down-to-earth approach, Blickle is an educator who has worked with horse and livestock owners since 1990, teaching manure composting, pasture management, mud and dust control, water conservation, chemical use reduction, fire preparedness, and wildlife enhancement.  Blickle and her husband raise and train their mustangs and quarter horses at their eco-sensitive guest ranch, Sweet Pepper Ranch, in sunny Nampa, Idaho.

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