At Windchaser Ranch, we believe that every part of our horses’ lives should work in harmony with nature—including their poop. That’s why we’ve created what we like to call The Poop Loop: a cycle where our horses’ manure supports regenerative farming, and in turn, helps us provide them with the highest quality, chemical-free hay.
The Journey of Poop
It all starts with our herd, who live as naturally as possible. We don’t use any chemicals including dewormers unless absolutely necessary. Instead, we monitor parasite loads through regular egg counts, ensuring that deworming is only done when needed. This means our horses remain healthy without unnecessary chemical treatments, and their manure remains free from harmful residues that could disrupt soil ecosystems.
Our horses also eat only the best—hay that is free of pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. This commitment to natural feeding ensures that their manure is not only rich in nutrients but also safe for organic farming.
From Ranch to Vineyard
Rather than letting all that goodness go to waste, we collect the manure, allow it to rest, and then make it available to anyone that wants our black gold! Our last deliver was to an eco-friendly vineyard. By managing diet and keeping our horses in Equine Specific Environmemts, so not shut up in boxes! the manure is as healthy as the horses and breaksdown immediatly, making it safe and beneficial for soil health. The vineyard uses our composted manure to enrich their soil naturally, illiminating their dependence on synthetic fertilizers and creating healthier vines and richer wines.
Closing the Loop
In return for our manure deliveries, they donate to the hay fund that goes directly toward buying high-quality hay for our horses. That hay, in turn, gets eaten, digested, and—well, you know the rest. The loop continues, benefiting not just our horses and the vineyard, but the land itself.
Sustainable Horsekeeping in Action
This system reflects our core belief: true sustainability means finding ways to work with nature, not against it. By closing the loop between our ranch and the vineyard, we’re proving that responsible horsekeeping can be part of the regenerative farming movement.
So the next time you see a pile of poop, remember—it’s not just waste. It’s an opportunity, a resource, and in our case, a way to keep our horses happy and well-fed while supporting a healthier planet.
Want to learn more about our sustainable approach to horse care? Follow us at Windchaser Ranch and join the movement toward a greener future, one pile at a time!
Love,
Rachel and The Windchaser Ranch Team