23-Nov-2011

Local landholders are invited to attend a free Managing Horses on Small Acreage workshop at Pinjarra Hills in early December . The workshop will help horse lovers and horse owners alike learn about the best ways to manage pasture and manure to improve their horse’s health and well-being whilst also ensuring ensure long term pasture health.

The workshop, which is sponsored by SEQ Catchments, Pullen Pullen Catchments Group, Moggill Creek Catchment Group and the McIntyre Centre, is being delivered by Sue Isherwood of Gold Coast Horse and Damian O’Sullivan from DEEDI on Sunday 4 December from 9.00 am to 11.15 am.

‘‘We’ll be providing an overview about the value of good horse manure management practices, not only in terms of horse care, horse health, and pasture care, but just as importantly the environmental benefits, including the effects on waterways, local soils and biodiversity , ’’ Sue said.

Damian will provide simple ways to identify both native and introduced grasses, and talk about the kinds of grass necessary to maintain a horse and pasture in good health. He will also identify some common weeds that are problems and provide advice on how to manage pasture to avoid them.

Some of the benefits that people can expect include improved health for the horses, cleaner water, healthier landscapes, and people needing to dig into their pockets less through lower feed bills due to more grass being available for a longer period of the year as well as fewer flies and less dust and mud (and therefore potentially fewer vet bills).

 SEQ Catchments Community Partnership Manager for Brisbane and Moreton Region, Louise Orr, says that this workshop will be very useful for all types of horse property owners.

“Horse property owners, regardless of the size, share a lot of the same concerns. The main objective is growing grass and other pasture species, and managing manure in order to reduce the feed and vet bills. People can also expect to see a number of benefits to their local environment – for example good groundcover can help reduce erosion and run off into waterways. Better horse management reduces the worm (parasite) burden of horses and helps controls weeds which can outgrow native species,’’ she said.

“Landholders will be able to find out the best way to manage pasture, manure and water for horses in a way that has minimal impact on the surrounding environment”.

This workshop is part of a broader Horse Management Program which SEQ Catchments hopes will help horse owners to better manage their properties for both horse and landscape health.

Horse owners, water catchment associations and Landcare groups who have attended similar workshops have all commented that the information obtained from the day was invaluable. The presentation is practical, entertaining and extremely informative. The workshop will be held at the McIntyre Centre, Pony Riding for the Disabled. The Centre currently has 28 horse living on its 30 acre site, and practices sound manure, pasture and water management. Please wear appropriate footwear (preferably boots), hat, water and sunscreen on the day.

If you are interested in attending the workshop, please contact Louise Orr , SEQ Catchments on 0439 024 400 or email lorr@seqcatchments.com.au. This is a free event at the McIntyre Centre, Riding for the Disabled, 2963 Moggill Road, Pinjarra Hills.

SEQ Catchments is a community-based, not-for-profit business that works to protect and restore South East Queensland’s natural environment.

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Further information: Sibel Korhaliller, Communications Officer, 0488 713 340 or skorhaliller@seqcatchments.com.au