You are casually walking down to your barn, enjoying the lovely warm weather of Spring, minding your own business, and something slithers out of the grass across your path. Or you go into your feed area to prepare your horse's evening meal and something is coiled up in the corner. Perhaps it's just a non-venomous Rat Snake…but just as likely it's going to be a Rattlesnake or Copper Head! Any snake around means bad news, because they are all hunting the same food source…rodents.
Rodents and snakes are a pretty common occurrence at the barn, but they don't have to be. Here are some simple, safe and "green" strategies you can implement to help reduce the likelihood of them sticking around in places they are not welcome, without endangering your animals with harmful chemicals, or even doing harm to the pests for that matter.
The information in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any condition or illness. Nor is it meant replace proper veterinary care. It is meant for educational purposes only. Always consult your chosen veterinary professional before starting your horse or other animal on any therapy.
Lisa Carter is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT), with multiple certifications from several different equine bodywork schools. She incorporates her knowledge and experience with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, equine bodywork, using essential oils for animals and as a veterinary technician to provide her clients with the resources they need to make informed decisions for their horses. She encourages and facilitates network building between equine health care professionals, working together to find the best combination of therapies to meet the needs of the "whole horse".
Are you ready to get better results with your horse? Put your equine health care team to work so you and your horse can be doing what you were meant to. Click here to get started!