03-May-2011

A sustainable horse property management system saves time and expense while at the same time is good for the environment.

Nationally acclaimed author and horse expert, Jane Myers MSc (Equine), will be delivering a workshop in SEQ to promote the benefits of sustainable horse property, including:

• 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.

“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”, said Jane Myers.

“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”.

Horse owners can attend the ‘Managing Horses on Small Properties’ workshop at 11am on Saturday 14^th May at Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre to find out how they can develop sustainable properties.

The workshop focuses on topics such as creating or renovating pasture and managing pastures once established. Effective pasture management can help horse owners to reduce the feed bill, maintain good groundcover, reduce the worm (parasite) burden of horses and control weeds.

The workshop also provides advice on managing manure, water and vegetation, and planning and designing a horse property. The workshop explains these property management practices, not only in terms of horse care, horse health, financial benefits and aesthetic improvements, but just as importantly the environmental benefits, including effects on waterways, weed control and erosion.