🌿 Get Sustainable This Spring and Become an Ethical Equestrian
As the days grow longer and the scent of fresh hay fills the barn, spring offers us the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and realign — not just with our horses, but with how we live alongside them. Whether you’re refreshing your routine for spring or simply aiming to lighten your barn’s footprint, now’s the time to let your horsekeeping reflect your values. Let’s talk sustainability, compassion, and how to be a truly ethical equestrian.
We love horses for their wild hearts and deep instincts — but often, the ways we care for them can unintentionally harm the very planet we ride across. From synthetic tack and plastic grooming tools to chemical-laden fly sprays and single-use supplements, modern horsekeeping can be surprisingly wasteful.
The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your entire setup to make a difference. Just a few conscious swaps and seasonal shifts can ripple out in big ways — for your horse, your land, and the future of riding.
🏅 Introducing the Barngoddess Good Horsekeeping Seal of Approval
We’re thrilled to introduce our Good Horsekeeping Seal of Approval, a new rating system to help you shop with soul.
Each featured product is scored across five pillars:
🐎 Horse Welfare – Prioritizing the health, happiness, and dignity of our equine companions.
🌿 Earth Stewardship – Minimizing environmental impact through sustainable practices and materials.
✋ Fair Hands – Ethical labor practices, craftsmanship, and mindful sourcing.
🛠️ Longevity – Durability, craftsmanship, and heirloom-worthy quality.
❤️ Community Care – Brands that reinvest in equestrian, environmental, or artisan communities.
Scoring System:
1–5 Horses awarded based on how strongly the product or brand aligns with each pillar:
- 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 = Exceptional Stewardship (Earns the Good Horsekeeping Seal)
- 🐎🐎🐎🐎 = Strong Ethical Alignment
- 🐎🐎🐎 = Mindful Choice
- 🐎🐎 = Partial Alignment, Room for Growth
- 🐎 = Falls Short of Values
When you see our seal and rating breakdown, you’ll know it’s a product we’ve thoughtfully vetted — and often use in our own barns. Some links may be affiliate links, which help us keep The Barngoddess Chronicles running (at no extra cost to you).
🌱 Ethical Equestrianism in Action: 10 Ways to Green Your Barn Life
1. Spring Clean with Intention
Before you toss old gear or chemical cleaners, take inventory. Can that old halter be repaired or donated? Could you use natural vinegar-based solutions instead of bleach? Download our free Tack to Tail Spring Cleaning Checklist to reset the barn the mindful way.
2. Choose Natural Grooming & Care Products
Look for balms, fly sprays, and shampoos made with clean, biodegradable ingredients. Better yet — try making your own with natural products and pantry staples. Your horse’s skin and the soil will thank you.
Bonus: Barngoddess DIY Herbal Fly Spray Recipe
Many commercial fly sprays rely on synthetic insecticides and artificial fragrances that may cause skin irritation, contribute to resistance in pests, and leach harmful residues into your soil and waterways. This gentle, horse-friendly recipe uses hydrosols (plant-infused aromatic waters) to offer effective insect deterrence without harsh chemicals.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup Witch Hazel (alcohol-free preferred)
- 1 cup Lavender Hydrosol
- 1 cup Lemongrass Hydrosol
- ½ cup Cedar Hydrosol
- 1 tsp Unscented Castile Soap
- Distilled Water to top off
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a 32 oz spray bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray over your horse’s body, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes. Reapply as needed.
🌿 Why We Use Hydrosols (Not Essential Oils)
Hydrosols are gentler than essential oils, making them safer for regular use on horses’ sensitive skin. While essential oils are highly concentrated and often require careful dilution, hydrosols offer a softer, water-based approach that still carries the beneficial plant properties—without overwhelming your horse or the ecosystem.
🌱 The Importance of Organic Ingredients
Choosing certified organic and sustainably produced ingredients isn’t just a luxury — it’s a responsibility. Organic hydrosols and base ingredients are:
- Free of pesticides and synthetic additives that can irritate skin and harm soil
- Grown and distilled without harmful solvents or chemical byproducts
- More likely to come from ethical, small-scale producers who care for the land
While DIY can save money, it’s important to invest in ingredients that uphold the same values you bring to the barn: compassion, sustainability, and long-term health for all beings.
When shopping for fly spray ingredients:
- Look for USDA Organic or certified cruelty-free labels
- Thoroughly clean and reuse spray bottles when possible
- Prioritize small producers or herbalist-made hydrosols when you can
Even your grooming tools and tack accessories can often be found in wood, leather, and natural fiber bristles instead of plastic.
3. Durable > Disposable
Let’s face it — barn life isn’t always tidy or plastic-free. From supplement tubs to treat bags and shavings packaging, plastic has long been part of the everyday routine. And sometimes, it’s the most practical option. But even small shifts toward reusability can make a meaningful difference over time.
Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for better. Can you rinse and reuse that fly spray bottle or supplement container? Could your barn group coordinate to buy organic oats, bedding, or treats in bulk to cut down on packaging (and cost)? Buying together from local farmers or feed stores not only reduces waste, it supports your community too.
When plastic is necessary, choose durable over disposable and recycle what you can. The goal isn’t to shame what’s been working, but to find ways to make what works a little kinder to the planet.
🏅 Barngoddess Score: 🐎🐎🐎🐎☆
| Pillar | Score | Notes |
| 🐎 Horse Welfare | ✅✅✅✅✅ | Gentle formula, no burn or sting — safe for sensitive horses |
| 🌿 Earth Stewardship | ✅✅✅ | Concentrated = less waste, but packaged in non-recyclable plastic |
| ✋ Fair Hands | ✅✅✅ | U.S.-based brand, but lacks transparency about labor or sourcing ethics |
| 🛠️ Longevity | ✅✅✅✅✅ | Highly effective, versatile, and long-lasting when diluted properly |
| ❤️ Community Care | ✅✅✅ | Popular among holistic practitioners, but limited local sourcing support |
4. Opt for Quality Over Quantity
Ethical equestrians know that one well-made, responsibly-sourced saddle pad is better than five cheap ones that fall apart in a season. Choose good quality gear when possible — bonus if it’s made from natural fibers like wool or organic cotton.
🏅 Barngoddess Score: 🐎🐎🐎🐎☆
| Pillar | Score | Notes |
| 🐎 Horse Welfare | ✅✅✅✅✅ | Contoured spine and wool felt promote comfort, breathability, and fit |
| 🌿 Earth Stewardship | ✅✅✅ | Natural wool base, but uses synthetic materials and dyes in top design |
| ✋ Fair Hands | ✅✅✅ | Made in the USA, though limited transparency on labor sourcing practices |
| 🛠️ Longevity | ✅✅✅✅✅ | High-quality materials designed for heavy, daily use |
| ❤️ Community Care | ✅✅✅ | Supports a family-owned Western company with strong regional roots |
5. Compost Manure the Smart Way
Got poop? Of course you do! Set up a compost system (or partner with a local farm or gardener) to turn that waste into a gift. Healthy soil = healthier grazing pastures and less landfill.
6. Support Ethical Brands
Do a little research on the brands you support. Are they transparent about materials, labor, and sustainability? Put your purchasing power behind businesses that align with your values.
7. Connect With Your Land
Sustainability isn’t just about what you buy — it’s about how you live. Plant native species around your barn, rotate pastures mindfully, reduce chemical use, and honor the rhythms of the land as deeply as you honor your horse.
8. Collaborate with Local Farmers
You probably already source your hay locally, but have you ever asked if it’s organically grown? Building relationships with nearby organic or regenerative farmers is one of the most impactful ways to green your horsekeeping. Whether you’re seeking low-spray hay, whole oats in bulk, or herbal ingredients for homemade fly sprays, salves, or treats – sourcing locally:
- Supports healthier soil and ecosystems
- Reduces emissions and packaging waste
- Keeps money circulating in rural communities
- Builds a network of like-minded land stewards
- Gives you better insight into what’s fueling your horse
Buying bulk grains, hay, and bedding from trusted local sources allows you to reduce your dependence on mass-produced, plastic-wrapped materials and deepen your connection to the land and people around you.
👖 9. Wear What You Stand For
Your riding clothes should feel good in every sense — for your body, your horse, and the earth. Whenever possible, choose natural fibers like:
- Organic cotton (breathable, compostable)
- Wool (naturally odor-resistant, thermoregulating)
- Linen and hemp (durable, moisture-wicking, low-water crops)
- Silk (gentle and temperature-adaptive, especially in underlayers)
Try to avoid synthetic materials like:
- Polyester, nylon, spandex (even the recycled versions often shed microplastics into soils and waterways and off-gas toxic chemicals that can disrupt hormones after prolonged exposure)
- Performance blends marketed as “eco” but lacking transparency
If you’re on a budget or can’t find new natural options, secondhand is a powerful choice — keeping usable gear out of landfills and reducing demand for new production.
We’re compiling a Natural Fiber Riding Apparel Guide, so stay tuned!
🐴 10. Train With Heart, Not Force
Being an ethical equestrian isn’t just about reducing waste — it’s about relationship over dominance.
Natural horsemanship emphasizes communication, consent, and emotional intelligence. It’s a lifelong practice of listening, adjusting, and showing up as a trustworthy partner for your horse.
🎤 Exclusive Interview with Tim Hayes
Tim is the author of Riding Home and a powerful advocate for heart-led horsemanship. We talk about how to communicate with our horses in their language, strengthening our relationship and thus partnership with them.
Tools📚 Check out his book: Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal – View on Amazon »🏅 Good Horsekeeping Score: 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎
🌸 Ready to Ride into Spring, Sustainably?
Earth Day isn’t the only day to make a meaningful impact.
Every mindful moment in the barn — every choice to repair instead of replace, compost instead of discard, or listen instead of demand — is a step toward a more sustainable, sacred bond with your horse and the land you share.
📥 Download the free Tack to Tail Spring Cleaning Checklist to begin your seasonal reset with purpose.
Ride with heart. Care with intention.
The earth — and your horse — will feel the difference.
Stay wild, stay grounded,
—The Barngoddess 🐎🌿
