Back to Search Start Over

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

Authors :
Tamzin Furtado
Mollie King
Elizabeth Perkins
Catherine McGowan
Samantha Chubbock
Emmeline Hannelly
Jan Rogers
Gina Pinchbeck
Source :
Animals, Vol 12, Iss 2, p 151 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

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.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762615
Volume :
12
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Animals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.31230cbb030346fcafc760f54de0ba93
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020151