14 April 2009Relying on Rainwater to Care for Rescued Horses
For Larry and Peggy Neaves, passion for horses is a way of life. The Brookesmith, Texas couple’s new 16-stall, 5,000 square foot barn will allow them to adopt more rescued horses through Habitat for Horses. A 65,000 gallon PIONEER GALAXY™ water storage tank for rainwater harvesting is an important feature of the Neaves’ ambitious project.
With construction of the barn now complete, focus is shifting to construction of the Neaves’ home on the property. Although city water will be connected for back up supply, the Neaves will use rainwater from their PIONEER GALAXY™ tank for washing laundry and flushing toilets. When their residence is completed later this fall, the Neaves’ capacity for rainwater collection will be even greater. The Neaves estimate that their home and barn roofs will allow them to collect up to 9,000 gallons of water per inch of rain. This is impressive for a part of Texas that many think of as being too dry for rainwater harvesting.
“Through rainwater harvesting, we aim to be self reliant for water for grazing and forage within the next two years,” Mr Neaves said. Using rainwater for the bulk of the animals’ requirements will assist in reducing the significant costs of caring for the horses and other livestock on the Neaves’ property.
The Neaves currently care for six rescued horses and two mules and are about to add eight more horses rescued by Habitat for Horses now that their barn is complete. Habitat for Horses is a nonprofit organization that provides equine rescue services to law enforcement agencies, an active equine adoption program, an equine education center and equine assisted services to youths and adults. Many of the rescued horses are mistreated, injured or malnourished and require special care – just the type of horses that the Neaves will be helping on a daily basis. The Neaves also keep Llamas on their property and will add goats and chickens once construction of their home is complete.
We asked Mr Neaves what drew him to BlueScope Water’s PIONEER GALAXY™ water storage tank. “In comparing the PIONEER GALAXY™ tank to other water storage options, I found that it offered more storage capacity, eliminated technical issues to do with height and gravity all at a significantly lower price,” Mr Neaves said. “That BlueScope Water provides an installed price was icing on the cake,” he added. By installing a 65,000 gallon PIONEER GALAXY™ tank, the cost and complexity of installing and connecting multiple smaller tanks were also eliminated.
Over the past twenty years, BlueScope Water has installed PIONEER GALAXY™ water storage tanks in more than 35 countries. Available in standard sizes up to 65,000 gallons (and up to 700,000 gallons via special order), PIONEER GALAXY™ water storage tanks are suitable for virtually all water storage applications including municipal and industrial uses, rainwater harvesting, fire control, irrigation, potable water and many more.
Find out how BlueScope Water can help you- contact us via email, or call us on 877-389-1099.
