24-Oct-2011

Local landholders are invited to attend a free Horse Property Management workshop near Mt Cotton in early November to learn about the best ways to manage horses on their properties.

The workshop, which is sponsored by SEQ Catchments, is being delivered by nationally acclaimed author and expert on horse property management, Jane Myers, on Sunday 6 November between 9.45am and 4.30pm.

Jane will provide an overview about the value of good horse management practices, not only in terms of horse care, horse health, financial benefits and aesthetic improvements to their property, but just as importantly the environmental benefits, including the effects on water catchment, weed control and erosion and the benefits to the wider community.

“Caring for your horse property is equally as important as caring for your horse. Horses are not native to Australia, and can cause a huge impact on the environment if the land that they live on is not cared for properly.’’ Jane said.

“Caring for your horses and the land that they live on does not need to be an expensive undertaking. In fact often a slight change in the way that you do things can lead to big savings and have many benefits’’.

Some of these benefits include improved health for the horses and people who live on the property; lower feed bills due to more grass for a longer period of the year; happier neighbours, fewer flies and less dust and mud; cleaner water and more habitat for wildlife; an increased property value.

“An effective horse property management system saves time and expense while at the same time is good for the environment. Good horse property management is a win win for all!”

SEQ Catchments Community Partnership Manager for Redlands, Bay, and Islands, Joel Bolzenius, 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 in order to reduce the feed bill. If this can be managed in a way that ensures good groundcover, this can help reduce erosion and run off into waterways. Better horse management also reduces the worm (parasite) burden of horses and control weeds,’’ he said.

“Landholders will be able to find out the best way to manage pasture, manure and water for horses in a way that does not compromise local biodiversity, and be provided with information on how to plan and design a sustainable horse property.''

Horse owners, water catchment associations and Landcare groups on previous seminars have all commented that the information obtained from the day was invaluable. The presentation is visual, entertaining and extremely informative.

If you are interested in attending the field day, please contact Joel Bolzenius , SEQ Catchments on 0457 104 997 or email jbolzenius@seqcatchments.com.au. This is a free event at 44 Kingfisher Rd, Mt Cotton and includes lunch and course materials.

Bio of Jane Myers MSc (Equine): Jane has been involved in the Horse Industry for over 30 years (both here and in the UK) and is the author of two books published by CSIRO called: Managing Horses on Small Properties and Horse Safe: A Complete Guide to Equine Safety. She is also a co-author of Horse Sense - The Guide to Horse Care in Australia and New Zealand (2nd edition).

She has written numerous horse magazine articles and is a freelance writer of books, booklets and equine courses on subjects such as riding, nutrition, horse behaviour, horse training and property/pasture management. Jane holds an MSc in Equine Studies from The University of Wales (UK). She also undertook a period of research at the Royal Edinburgh Veterinary School for her thesis on the grazing behaviour of horses. She is a member and former board member of both of the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC) and the Queensland Horse Council (QHC). Jane was employed by the DPI&F during the Equine Influenza outbreak as an Industry Liaison Officer. Recently Jane has been awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to study sustainable horse keeping systems in the USA.

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