Preliminary examination of the perceptions of sustainable horse feeding practices in the Netherlands.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of sustainability among horse owners in the Netherlands and their willingness to switch to more sustainable feeding practices. A survey was distributed to a target group of horse owners in the Netherlands via social media channels. Data (n = 338 valid responses) were stratified based on yard type and size (small (50 horses). Most of the yards were livery yards (68 %) and they were small in size (66 %). The term most commonly associated with sustainability was low environmental impact (61.8 %). All participants (338/338) indicated that they were willing to switch to more sustainable feeding practices. Of the six options offered, the most popular was the use of plastic-free packaging products (60.5 %). This study identified that numerically the greatest change in behavior for the Dutch equestrian community would be achieved by small livery yards (P < 0.001). The potential to modify certain practices might be limited by the size of the equestrian operation, such as the available land for altering pasture management, and the financial aspects of the enterprise. Future research should investigate how the scale and economic considerations of the equestrian business influence its capacity and willingness to adopt more sustainable feeding practices.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-11-24 PubMed ID: 38008269DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104962Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article explores how horse owners in the Netherlands view sustainability and their readiness to adopt sustainable feeding practices for their horses.
Research Purpose
- The main aim of this research was to examine the understanding of the concept of sustainability among Dutch horse owners and their readiness to adopt more sustainable horse feeding practices. Sustainability in this context refers to practices that have minimal impact on the environment.
Research Method
- A survey was developed and disseminated through various social media channels targeting horse owners in the Netherlands.
- The generated data was grouped according to the type and size of the yard. In terms of size, yards were classified as either small (50 horses).
Research Findings
- Most participants (68%) had livery yards, which were predominantly small in size (66%).
- The term most frequently related to sustainability by the participants was ‘low environmental impact’ (61.8%).
- All respondents (100%) expressed their willingness to switch to sustainable horse feeding practices.
- Of the six alternatives presented, using plastic-free packaging products was the most favoured choice (60.5%).
- The researchers discovered that the greatest potential for change in behaviour within the Dutch equestrian community lies with the small livery yards.
Research Implications and Future Research Direction
- The potential to adjust certain practices might be constrained by the size of the equestrian operation, such as the available land for modifying pasture management, and the economic aspects of the enterprise.
- The authors suggest that further research is required to understand how the size and financial considerations of the equestrian business influence its ability and willingness to adopt sustainable horse feeding practices.
Cite This Article
APA
Kaya Karasu G, Krabbenborg R, Westerduin F, Rogers CW.
(2023).
Preliminary examination of the perceptions of sustainable horse feeding practices in the Netherlands.
J Equine Vet Sci, 132, 104962.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104962 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Gulsah.kayakarasu@hvhl.nl.
- Pavo Horse Feeds, the Netherlands.
- De Koninklijke Nederlandse Hippische Sportfederatie (KNHS), the Netherlands.
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, New Zealand.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
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