Attachment 1 Pasture Specifications.pdf

Project Title White River NF Rifle RD Horse Pasture

General Information The White River National Forest, Rifle Ranger District, located at 0094 County Road 244 Rifle Colorado, has a requirement for annual, year-round horse pasture to be provided for up to 6 USFS horses and mules.

Contractor Requirements The facility/pasture must be in a location that is convenient for and readily accessible to District stock program staff and must be free of harmful or risky objects. The pasture shall be located within proximity (5-mile radius) of the Rifle Ranger District office in the event horses must be moved at a moment’s notice and also to facilitate daily care of the Forest Service livestock.

This contract shall cover basic horse needs including:

Open Pasture

Horses must have access to a minimum of 5 acres per animal for up to 6 animals of grass pasture to allow for grazing and movement. Forest Service staff will be responsible for adequate feed and hay as necessary.

Salt and Vitamin Blocks

Horses shall always have access to mineralized salt and vitamin blocks. The USFS will provide the vitamin and salt blocks.

Drinking Water

Horses shall have access to a continuous supply of fresh drinking water – approximately 12 gallons each per day. Care should be taken to ensure that the route to the water is always kept open.

Snow is not considered a continuous supply of fresh drinking water.

Fence Requirements

Fencing must be in good repair and to a standard that will confine horses and mules. Fence preference is for smooth wire, but barbed wire fencing is acceptable, if in good repair. The USFS will work with the contractor to maintain existing fence and make necessary repairs.

Disease Control Practices

All non-Forest Service horses boarded together must be vaccinated annually. The Contractor must be able to furnish proof of annual vaccinations upon request. If new horses are to be introduced into the herd they must first be quarantined for a minimum of 7 days prior to introduction, have a current health certificate, and proof of a negative Coggins test.

Exclusive Use

Generally, the USFS requires exclusive use of the pasture. However, in the event the owner desires to add any stock, the USFS requires pre-coordination and notification to ensure a plan is in place to monitor for adequate forage, water, fighting issues, proof of negative Coggins, and current vaccinations.

Other Needs

Area provided shall be large enough to allow less dominant horses to move away from more dominant horses.

The contract area must be open to the Forest USFS at all times so that horses can be picked up and dropped off and so employees can check on the animals and facility conditions.

There must be an off-street parking area large enough to park a full-sized pickup truck and 20 foot horse trailer, in order to safely load and unload horses.

A corral or “trap” pasture is needed where horses can be segregated for illness or to facilitate catching early in the morning or on repeated use days.

If Contractor plans to add additional horses to the same pasture with the Forest Service horses, the Contractor shall notify the district stock program manager one week in advance.

Termination by Prior Agreement: In the event the property is sold, the owner is required to provide the USFS 90 days’ prior notice to find a new facility. If this condition is met, the contract will be terminated for convenience of the USFS without prejudice.

Performance Requirement Measures

Performance measures are based on the above components within the performance work statement. Horses must be provided 24/7 fresh and clean water, fences must be maintained to a standard to ensure they do not present a hazard to horses. Forest Service staff will be responsible for daily feeding.