360 deg. look at keeping horseswww.horsesa.asn.au

An invitation for busy people with horses kept

on small properties

McLaren Vale 8 Nov. 2014[Tree benefits]

The busy horse owner(is this you?)

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The busy horse owner

An invitation to take a walk around the outside of what it takes to

horses in our busy lives

How much “horse” is in your horse?• Grazing several hours a

day• Browsing• Rubbing• Rolling• Scratching• Running around• Mutual grooming• Swish flies• Walk• Do nothing• Lie down flat• Stand under a tree• Put a rump to the weather• Find peace• Find friends• Enjoy humans• Routine vs stimulating

environment• Run, kick and buck• Snort, neigh & nicker

- How much time in each 24 hours does he eat, rest, walk, run or drink?

- Do you watch what plants he prefers to eat in the paddock? Does he vary eating with his head down with occasional head up (browsing)?

- Is he stimulated by his environment? Bored?

- Are his companionship needs being met?

- Is the shade and shelter provided useful for him?

- Are we aware of how “trends” & marketing are affecting our decisions? E.g. rugs, worming products

- Are we aware of how the behaviour of the horse needs to be utilised to help us manage his living environment better?

How well do you know your horse?

The puzzle

Keeping horses happy & healthy AND making sure his living environment is robust enough to contribute positively to his well-being Photo: J Raphael

Keeping grass cover on small properties- the biggest challenge!

Challenges appear greater when:• Time poor +/- quick fixes• Low rainfall +/- water retention, quality & storage capacity natural & artificial• Sandy soils or other challenges e.g. Onkaparinga Hills ridge tops• Poor overall biodiversity (trees/shrubs/grass varieties)• Poor infrastructure to help manage grazing pressures (e.g. yards)

Photo: J Raphael

Photo: J Raphael

Yards are an important tool

Yards are probably the most important tool available to ensure sustainable management of the grass in the paddocks, water courses and native vegetation on small properties – in return giving your horse a higher quality paddock living

environment.

However, the more horses are confined to a small area to help manage the paddock & farm environment, or for other reasons, the harder we need to work as horse owners to provide the benefits of nature.

Lets just pick one aspect …… Trees

Photo: J Raphael

Many horse owners are aware of the benefit that trees & shrubs can provide

e.g.Shelter beltsBiosecurity barriersReduce wind erosion Stabilize soilShade & shelterPromote biodiversity

Protecting trees: On smaller properties or in smaller paddocks, especially where a “set” grazing regime is used, trees & shrubs may need protecting if horses have regular or prolonged access.

Tree benefits

When trees are not available to horses, “tree benefits” will need to be provided artificially

• Shade from sun• Shelter from wind & rain• Place to “loaf around” &

socialise• Somewhere to scratch & rub• Relief from flies (leaves/tails)• Variety in diet (some trees are

tasty)• Variety in eating styles –

browsing

Tree benefits

Photo: J Raphael

Providing Tree BenefitsBiosecurity barriers, scratch & rub surfaces, browse (eat at different heights & locations),

places to socialise, undertake mutual grooming

Photo: Robyn Warren

Photo: MB Equine ServicesPhoto: Equiculture Jane Myers

Providing Tree BenefitsShade & Shelter

Drawing: http://www.equiculture.com.au (Jane Myers). Photos: Bathurst Equine Agistment https://www.facebook.com/bathurstequineagistment

We have seen how important trees are for horses.

Manage native trees in paddocks on small properties to avoid soil compaction (from hooves), high nutrient loading (from manure) and promote natural regeneration.

Manage trees

Photo: Robyn Warren

Photo: J Raphael

Photo: J Raphael

Apply other “benefits”

As part of working to have a high quality, sustainable living environment for your horse, yarding may play a role. If horses are yarded regularly, aim to replicate the natural resource benefits including:• Grasses & herbs (+/-weeds)- variety in diet (taste, texture, choice)• Water• Soil, sand• Native animals, birds, bugs & insects• Land formation (e.g. slope)• Climate and weather considerations

Bee savers. Photo: Shan Daw

More things for busy horse ownersIndividualised de-worming programs + manure management

(reducing chemical use + avoid nutrient run-off into watercourses)

Photo: J Raphael

More things for busy horse owners to think aboutEmergency preparedness + Property Identification Codes (PIC) + Horse ID

Photo: CFS Communication & Engagement Unit

Keeping grass cover on small properties- the biggest challenge!

Share ideas with successful neighbours - Property plans - book a free property visits from AMLR NRM- seek advice at free field days- Revisit number of horses on the property to avoid overgrazing – look at rotational or strip grazing

options (vs. set grazing) and resting pasture

Check out the Horse SA & NRM Events Calendars for educational seminars & webinars

Photo: Anthea Starr

Check out the events page and register to receive an e-news from both

organisations

Horse SAhttp://www.horsesa.asn.au

NRM Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges

(Request a free property visit for land management advice)

http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/land/landholder-services