Horse SA_A 360 degree look at horse care
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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]
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The busy horse owner(is this you?)
FeedClean(Ride)WorkFeedClean (Ride)
$Cost of keepingShopping onlineGet advice
+/- agistment
Fast food/ food miles
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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
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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
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- 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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Providing Tree BenefitsShade & Shelter
Drawing: http://www.equiculture.com.au (Jane Myers). Photos: Bathurst Equine Agistment https://www.facebook.com/bathurstequineagistment
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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
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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
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More things for busy horse ownersIndividualised de-worming programs + manure management
(reducing chemical use + avoid nutrient run-off into watercourses)
Photo: J Raphael
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More things for busy horse owners to think aboutEmergency preparedness + Property Identification Codes (PIC) + Horse ID
Photo: CFS Communication & Engagement Unit
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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
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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