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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Asso...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(2); 151; doi: 10.3390/ani12020151

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK.

Abstract: Equestrian grazing management is a poorly researched area, despite potentially significant environmental impacts. This study explored keepers' use of alternative grazing systems in the care of UK horses, donkeys and mules through an internet survey. The survey was available during the summer of 2020 and comprised closed and open questions, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis, respectively. A total of 758 responses was incorporated into the analysis; the most popular system used were tracks (56.5%), Equicentral (19%), "other" (e.g., non-grass turnout) (12.5%), rewilding (7.5%) and turnout on either moorland (0.7%) or woodland (2.5%). The thematic analysis highlighted that equid keepers across the systems were highly engaged in exploring sustainable practices. Their approaches varied according to each system, yet all aimed to fulfil practices in three major categories, i.e., supporting diverse plant life (usually through restricting equid access to certain areas), supporting wildlife (through the creation of biodiverse environments) and sustainably managing droppings and helminths. Additionally, proponents of the Equicentral systems declared to be aiming to support soil health. These data provide a promising insight into equid keepers' behaviour and attitudes to sustainability.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-08 PubMed ID: 35049774PubMed Central: PMC8772570DOI: 10.3390/ani12020151Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research reveals the various types of alternative grazing systems used by UK horse, donkey, and mule keepers, with emphasis on the environmentally sustainable practices associated with each system.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted an online survey during the summer of 2020 to gather data.
  • The survey was designed with multiple choice questions and open-ended questions to allow participants to share further insights.
  • A combination of descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis was used to evaluate the responses.

Findings: Types of Grazing Systems used

  • 758 responses were received and analyzed.
  • 56.5% utilized track systems, 19% used Equicentral systems, 12.5% used “other” forms, 7.5% used rewilding, while 0.7% used moorland and 2.5% used woodland as grazing systems.

Findings: Important Themes

  • Despite variations in methodologies, three major categories emerged from the data: supporting diverse plant life, supporting wildlife, and sustainably managing droppings and helminths.
  • Equid keepers, regardless of their chosen grazing system, were seen to be very invested in implementing sustainable practices across these three areas.

Significance and Implications

  • Equid keepers seem to be highly engaged in sustainable practices, a promising observation considering the potential environmental impact of equestrian activities.
  • The results may inform future efforts for environmental sustainability in equine management.
  • The Equicentral system, which additionally aims to support soil health, may require different approaches or more specific guidelines.

Cite This Article

APA
Furtado T, King M, Perkins E, McGowan C, Chubbock S, Hannelly E, Rogers J, Pinchbeck G. (2022). An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK. Animals (Basel), 12(2), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020151

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
PII: 151

Researcher Affiliations

Furtado, Tamzin
  • Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute for Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.
King, Mollie
  • School of Veterinary Science, Institute for Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.
Perkins, Elizabeth
  • Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK.
McGowan, Catherine
  • School of Veterinary Science, Institute for Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.
Chubbock, Samantha
  • World Horse Welfare, Anne Colvin House, Snetterton, Norwich NR16 2LR, UK.
Hannelly, Emmeline
  • The British Horse Society (Welfare Dept) Abbey Park, Stareton, Warwickshire CV8 2XZ, UK.
Rogers, Jan
  • The Horse Trust, Slad Ln, Princes Risborough HP27 0PP, UK.
Pinchbeck, Gina
  • Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute for Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool CH64 7TE, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Furtado T, Perkins E, Pinchbeck G, McGowan C, Watkins F, Christley R. Exploring human behavior change in equine welfare: Insights from a COM-B analysis of the UK's equine obesity epidemic.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:961537.
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