Iowa City, Cedar Rapids Horse Stables and Boarding - Otter Creek Stables

Equine Facility Management Approach

Feed:
- Hay: Small squares bales are utilized to avoid the associated health problems with round bales. Hay is a mixture of grass and alfalfa. The hay is stored in seperate barn from the horses for fire and health safety.
- Grain supplement: Nutrina Safe Choice™ is used for horses in stalls. Horses with special needs are addressed on a case by case basis.
Turf: All pastures are monitored on an ongoing basis to determine the appropriate spraying and fertilizing requirement to maximize feed value of each pasture.
Composting: Manure is composted to reduce parasite load and maximize fertilizer benefit of manure and bedding before spreading back onto pastures. This will be available after July 15, 2008
Disease Control: All horses coming to the facility must have a negative Coggins test and current vaccinations and worming. A strict vaccination and worming program is required for all horses on the property throughout the year. Meticulous care is taken to ensure safety for all horses. Isolation pens are available for horses requiring separation from the herd.
Water Systems: Use of Nelson automatic waterers in pastures provides a constant supply of fresh water year round. Water buckets are used in the stalls which allow in tracking water intake for each horse. Waterers and buckets are cleaned and sanitized weekly to ensure the best water quality possible.
Rules: Otter Creek Stables has and enforces a set of facility rules to ensure safety of both horse and rider and to provide a clean environment for everyone to enjoy.
Fencing: Checked and maintained daily.
On-site manager: Having management live on the property adds a level of security and allows a faster response time to issues requiring immediate attention.