Trees and Plants Can be Dangerous to Your Horses

When clearing ground for an equestrian facility site in a wooded area, or when horses are allowed to graze in a wooded area, care must be taken to eliminate poisonous plants that are harmful to the residing horses. While horses tend to avoid toxic plants because of their taste, they can still be affected by foraging, particularly if in sparse areas or in times of drought.

Cornell University lists the following species of plants that are of particular concern to horse owners:

Red Maple, Fiddleneck, Locoweed, Yellow Star Thistle, Crown Vetch, Jimsonweed, Horsetail, Buckwheat, St. John's Wort, Mountain Laurel, Sensitive Fern, Black Cherry, Bitter Cherry, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Bracken, Fern Oaks, Rhubarb, Rhododendron, Castor Bean, Black Locust, Grounsels, Common Nightshade, Black Nightshade, Horse Nettle, Buffalo Bur, Potato Sorghum or Milo, Sudan Grass, Johnson Grass and Yew, as well as molds of various kinds in various feeds.

In the case of Yews and Hemlocks, whether the entire plant or just a few clippings, a small amount can kill a horse within hours as a result of heart failure. The list above is by no means all inclusive and there are a number of other toxic plants that can be researched on the internet.

Equestrian landscape architecture and site planning must take this factor into account to assure that landscapers eliminate dangerous plants during installation. The Landscape Architect should walk the planned site together with the landscape installer and check for dangerous plants and mark them for elimination. In specifying proposed planting locations for the equestrian site, the landscape architect must assure that toxic plants are not placed in a position where horses can come into contact with them.

Landscape Architects are required to be licensed by the State in which they practice and are usually members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA.

Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environments. The national professional association is the American Society of Landscape Architects, based in Washington. ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have obtained 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, a three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required to be passed for state licensure.

Landscape designers do not have these professional credentials. Many state and local governments require designs to be stamped with a state registered Landscape Architect's seal.

As a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan and principle architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan, I am particularly aware of poisonous plants. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com.

I am also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants related to equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com.

Enjoy your equestrian activities while assuring protection of the health of your horses. One ounce of prevention is all it takes.

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About The Author


Kimberley Ennett has a Master Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a registered landscape architect in the State of Michigan. She is a principle landscape architect with Sexton Ennett Design, LC, a landscape architectural firm in southeast Michigan. See: http://www.sexton-ennett.com. She is also a breeder of champion Oldenburg warm blood sport horses and am sensitive to the issues of poisonous plants related to equestrian facilities. See: http://www.markimfarms.com.

info@sexton-ennett.com

It’s More than Just Dirt: How to Choose the Correct Round Pen Footing

© 2006 E. Landers

Just as you wouldn’t put down a dirt floor in your bathroom, there are certain issues you should think through when deciding what type of footing to use in your round pen. Too often we don’t give this enough thought, or tend to go with the cheapest option, only to have to redo it or pay for our choice many times over in the future. Remember, your round pen footing is the cushion layer. It will absorb shock and help protect your horse from injury.

The cheapest and easiest is natural grass or dirt. Though it has the advantage of being a natural footing, it also comes with many drawbacks. Grass can easily be damaged and end up with bare and packed spots, especially under heavy use. Dirt will compact with use and can create a hard, “concrete-like” top layer that may cause injury to your horse’s legs. Neither of these two surfaces is suitable for rainy climates or use during or after a rainfall.

Sand is a very good choice for your round pen footing. It provides a great cushion and well drained, it can be used in wet climates.

Another option is wood shavings and other wood products. Wood adds organic materials to your footing which helps maintain its springiness. The drawback to wood is that if it gets too much moisture (either through rain or improper runoff) it can become slick and break down quickly through rot. On the flip side, if the wood gets too dry it will also break down and turn to wood dust.

Recycled rubber pieces or “shredded rubber” is also a good choice. Rubber helps break down the any natural hardness, as well as provide for greater soil water absorption. Rubber does have its drawbacks, as it can float away during a heavy downpour or blow away during high winds.

The best choice is usually a combination of materials. Many times you will need a coarse layer to help with water runoff and breakdown, a finer layer for drainage and compaction (preventing your cushion layer from filtering into the ground), and a cushion layer to help provide natural footing and reduce the hardness of the ground.

A three-layer system consisting of coarse rock, fine rock and a combination of shredded rubber and sand is one such system seen often. Each layer brings its own properties, and you are assured of excellent drainage for year-round use.

Before starting on your round pen footing it is best to plan ahead. What will the round pen be used for? What is the climate in your particular area? How hard or soft is your natural ground?

Remember, the physical round pen structure is only part of the equation. Proper footing and drainage are as important as the actual round pen itself. Failure to plan for proper footing now can bring about injury to your horse, as well as costly rebuilds later.

About the Author:
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E. Landers
How to Build A Round Pen

What is Round Pen Training?

© 2006 E. Landers

In recent years, “natural” horsemanship trainers have brought round pen training into forefront when it comes to training horses. This type of training employs the round pen to build a basic foundation or to re-train an older horse instead of using traditional methods.

What’s the basis of this type of training? Well, round pen training is actually derived from behavior modification principles used in training any type of animal, including horses. On a side note, these techniques also work with people.

Round Pen training uses rewards in the form of body language that mimic the horse’s natural herd instincts to encourage the desired behavior. Results are usually seen very quickly and a strong bond is often formed between horse and human through these training methods.

A study at Michigan State University shows that by the seventh training session in a round pen, horses react with a predictable response in as little as six repetitions rather than the 60 it took in the first session (Nielson, B & A. Zanella). Once the behavior is learned, it is embedded for life as long as the horse receives the same consistent human responses.

Round pen training is an invaluable tool to teach a basic education for beginning horses or remedial work for older horses.

Horses have a natural instinct called “fight or flight”. Using a round pen, a handler can avoid the dangers of the fight response and maximize the benefits of the flight response.

To view the complete article, please visit the Round Pen What Is Round Pen Training?

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E. Landers
Round Pen

Metal Panels Aren’t Your Only Round Pen Solution

© 2006 E. Landers

It is thought that the horse’s memory is second only to the elephant’s. What does that mean for you? Well, simply put, any mistake that you make will likely never be forgotten.

That said, the Round Pen is truly the place where both you and your horse learn to speak each other’s language. With time and work, it will seem like both of you can read each other’s minds. And, round pen training helps you avoid costly mistakes that can take years to mend.

Once you’ve decided to build a round pen, you do have options. Metal panels are not your only solution. You can build your round pen out of wood fence or vinyl fence. Or, choose a combination of wood posts with vinyl rails…

It’s actually not that difficult to build your own round pen. The hardest part is getting your measurements right, then digging your post holes. However, the entire process is fairly simple and can usually be completed in a weekend by yourself or with friends.

One nice thing about building your own round pen is that it can be less expensive than buying metal panels. And, you can customize it the way you want it. You’ll get to choose the height, gate width and number of rails. And you can add personal touches like a walk through gate or a second “people only” gate!

Safety is an important issue to consider. Simply put, metal round pen panels do not give. If a horse gets caught in a panel or a rider get’s bucked off, it’s usually not a pretty sight.

To view the complete article, please visit the Round Pen Metal Panels Aren’t Your Only Round Pen Solution

About the Author:
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E. Landers
Round Pen