From horse sick pastures that are prone to poaching in winter, to bare of grass in summer, or land full of weeds, there are multiple land management problems that can affect equines.
ADAS Equine brings together experts from across ADAS to provide support and learning on how to manage land sustainably so it can provide consistent nutrition for horses throughout the year. Other benefits to improving land management practices include cutting the cost of fertilisers and improved animal health and welfare.
Soil is the building block of all land. Healthy soil is vital for resilience and grass growth. Soil testing allows us to understand the soil’s nutritional needs and structural situation. To enhance drainage, we will look for ways to build soil structure and address compaction issues. By building organic matter and achieving the right pH balance, drought and flood resilience will improve.
Other areas of good land management:
- Nutrient planning and manure management, in terms of storage and application methods and timing.
- Alternative grazing systems specific to equines such as tracks, paddock paradise or rotational grazing.
- Weeds, pests and disease identification, treatment and management.
- A carbon and biodiversity assessment, including actions to enhance biodiversity and reduce emissions.
ADAS are also in the process of developing the ADAS Equine Academy which will support equine land managers in their journey to improving and sustainably managing their land. Look out for more details on this on the ADAS Equine webpage.
