As the sustainability movement attracts more attention worldwide and its associated technologies advance, it’s becoming clear that going green can have significant benefits across many industries, including horse farms and equestrian facilities.
Horse owners, from those with a backyard stable to those with a large equine estate, are harnessing green energy — and realizing considerable savings in energy usage and utility costs while reducing their reliance on the grid. Here, we’ll explore 10 ways the equestrian world is embracing eco-friendly practices to make their day-to-day operations more sustainable.
1. Solar Panels for Clean Electricity
Installing solar panels is one of the most effective ways equestrian facilities are becoming more eco-friendly. The roofs of barns, indoor arenas, and other structures offer plenty of space for solar arrays to capture the power of the sun. Stored in batteries, that energy can then be tapped for operating lighting, fans, heating systems, water pumps, and more, significantly reducing a facility’s reliance on fossil fuels.
In addition to environmental benefits, solar panel installations often qualify for financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants, making the investment even more attractive for facility owners.
2. Geothermal Heating & Cooling
Temperature regulation in barns is crucial for the health and comfort of horses and staff. With geothermal heating and cooling, traditional sources can be replaced with an energy-efficient, cost-effective alternative.
By using the earth’s stable ground temperature of 50–60º Fahrenheit at 10 feet below the surface, a geothermal heat pump system provides consistent heating and cooling help. Water is pumped through a closed series of loops underground, where, in winter, it absorbs heat from the soil and carries it to a compressor to make the water even warmer. This water is then distributed through the HVAC system to warm the building’s interior. In summer, the system expels heat from the facility into the cooler earth below via the same closed-loop system, bringing cooler air to the interior of the barn and stables.
Geothermal heat pump solutions are eco-friendly and also cost-effective in the long run. Using a heat pump to maintain an optimal indoor climate results in less temperature-induced stress on horses and greatly reduces energy consumption when compared to conventional HVAC systems.
3. Harnessing Wind Energy
For equestrian facilities located in windy areas, small-scale wind turbines can serve as an excellent supplemental power source. They are particularly effective for off-grid properties.
There are two common types of turbines — horizontal and vertical. Horizontal turbines are propeller-like systems often placed high atop roofs or on their own towers. Highly energy-efficient, this type can be turned to face into oncoming wind for maximum spin.
The blades of a vertical turbine resemble an eggbeater as they spin. This design can catch wind from any direction and may be considered less obtrusive in appearance than horizontal types. However, they don’t generate power as efficiently as horizontal types.
4. Rainwater Harvesting
Stored rainwater smartly reduces dependence on well water or municipal water supplies. A rainwater harvesting system allows facilities to collect and store rain in cisterns or tanks for use as water for horses, arena irrigation, and cleaning purposes. When coupled with solar-powered pumps, equestrian operations can be environmentally responsible, capturing both rain and sun to distribute water throughout the property.
Rainwater tanks also protect against periods of drought, when groundwater or municipal usage is restricted. Having an off-the-grid supply of water can protect your horses from the stressful effects of dry conditions.
5. Energy-Efficient Lighting
For equestrian facilities, especially those with large indoor arenas and barns, lighting can represent a large energy expense. By replacing traditional incandescent or halogen lights with LED or solar-powered lights, energy consumption can be drastically reduced. An additional benefit to replacing old incandescent bulbs and halogens is that LEDs have longer lifespans, reducing maintenance costs. Fewer trips up and down a ladder is another distinct advantage.
Installing motion-sensor lights in less-often used zones like storage areas can also help to create energy savings. These lights activate only when needed, preventing unnecessary electricity use and lowering utility bills.
6. Sustainable Waste Management
Equestrian facilities can generate large amounts of organic waste, with a single horse capable of producing 35 to 50 pounds of manure per day. A horse given feeds that are higher in fiber, such as hays and grasses, will not be able to fully digest that material and will pass it in quantities much higher than a horse fed comparatively greater amounts of grains, such as corn, oats, and barley.
Horse manure is high in three macronutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — that can be a valuable resource for crop-growing farms. Composting this waste turns it into nutrient-rich fertilizer, which can improve soil health when administered in the right amounts.
The organic material in manure can improve soil texture, water-holding capacity, and pH balance, but care must be taken not to overuse manure or let it leech into waterways, where it can cause algae bloom and other environmental impacts.
Biodigesters take waste management a step further by converting organic matter into biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide that can be used as fuel. Microorganisms in a digester system break down manure in an oxygen-free environment. They digest the manure and produce biogas as well as fertilizer and nonorganic dry mass. The biogas is captured, cleaned, and can then be used as natural gas for heating, cooking, and fuel, helping to reduce a facility’s reliance on conventional energy sources.
7. Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
As the number of electric vehicles in use steadily increases, offering a recharging station on your equestrian property becomes not just a mere convenience, but also a perk for staff and visitors. Powering these stations with solar or wind energy takes it a step further by using renewable resources, enhancing the facility’s appeal to environmentally conscious clients.
Using farm EVs, from small utility vehicles like the Polaris RANGER to all-electric pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning, can reduce an operation’s fuel costs, and installing charging stations keeps them close at hand and ready for a day’s work. As an added benefit around skittish animals, electric vehicles are quiet and less intimidating than those powered by gas or diesel.
8. Green Roofs
A green roof (also known as a living roof) is a roof covered with soil, compost, or other medium to grow vegetation. Planting native wildflowers and other plants on a green roof contributes to an area’s natural order, attracting local pollinators and wildlife. Rainwater is collected in the roof’s soil, which helps to manage runoff. Additionally, a green roof provides a layer of insulation that increases a building’s energy-efficiency and reduces its heating and cooling costs.
9. Partnering with Sustainability Initiatives
Organizations like the environmental nonprofit Green Is the New Blue advocate for eco-consciousness within the equestrian community. Their mission is to incorporate green practices into daily operations for equine facilities as well as equine sporting events, particularly in reducing single-use plastic consumption.
Likewise, the American Horse Council is a nonpartisan advocacy group in Washington, DC, dedicated to horse health and combating waste and harmful emissions from equestrian operations.
By partnering with such initiatives, facilities gain access to valuable resources, guidelines, and community support. These partnerships can inspire new sustainability projects and demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility, enhancing a facility’s reputation.
10. Energy Audits & Certifications
Conducting a facility-wide energy audit is an essential step for identifying inefficiencies and opportunities for green upgrades. These audits help equestrian owners prioritize their investments in sustainable solutions and make it easy to track progress over time. Achieving certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), or other sustainable agriculture recognitions, further validates a facility’s dedication to eco-friendly practices.
Embracing the Sustainability Movement
Equestrian facilities that are embracing green energy and sustainable practices are setting a new standard in the industry. By integrating solutions such as solar panels, geothermal systems, rainwater harvesting, and green roofs, they are positioning themselves as leaders and authoritative voices that others will look to for the next steps in sustainable equestrian care.
Building a community of like-minded horse owners through groups like Green Is the New Blue gives the movement momentum and truly makes an impact on the industry and the environment. New construction and facility planning will continue to incorporate these preferences as they grow. Land and water protections will gain more interest from the general public. And the wasteful practices of the past will be relegated to, well, the compost bin.
Are you ready to harness green energy in your horse barn or equestrian arena? Incorporating sustainable solutions is just one more way B&D Builders is committed to building structures that last for generations. Contact us today to get started on yours.