Join us in helping nature to thrive for horses and humans alike
Sustainable equestrians taking care of nature, one hoofprint at a time
Join us in helping nature to thrive for horses and humans alike
Join us in helping nature to thrive for horses and humans alike
Join us in helping nature to thrive for horses and humans alike
At Equestrians4Nature, we believe being a sustainable equestrian should be a normal part of how we enjoy our horses. By caring for our paddocks, using eco-friendly materials and being responsible with water, we can create a healthier ecosystem for our horses and our planet.
1/6
On our own, we can sometimes feel that we don't make a difference, but as a community of equestrians, we can transform the Great British Countryside, one sustainable paddock at a time.
Plastic waste is a major environmental issue affecting our health, the health of our horses and the health of every part of the natural world. We can reduce plastic consumption and waste by considering our choices of arena surface, grooming products, feed and bedding providers, supplements choices and the way we dispose of our waste. Being a sustainable equestrian is really just about the choices we make day to day.
We all know that we consume too much and throw too much away. If we just think before we bin, we can save money and the planet at the same time. Good tack can be repaired, many items can be reused or repurposed and difficult to dispose of equipment can sometimes be returned to the manufacturer for recycling. There are always alternatives to filling up the bin and sending our waste to landfill or incineration. Being a sustainable equestrian can often mean saving money and the planet at the same time!
Lots of suppliers are now adapting their products and services to help equestrians be more sustainable. Look for local suppliers first to reduce transport miles. Choose products made sustainably, like regenerative and organic farmers for feed and bedding, or eco logos like FSC, soil association and BCorp. Select products that don't use single use plastic, and recycling the paper or cardboard packaging instead.
Our horses, like nature, enjoy variety, so plant paddocks up with herbs and wildflowers, or even just a varied grass seed that includes swards like sainfoin. The greater the variety, the better chance of healthy soil, which also means less mud come winter! If you are concerned about your horse's feeding, or making changes to the land, always consult your equine vet before creating a sustainable paddock.
Water is going to be in much shorter supply in the coming years, so get used to being responsible with water now, by putting rainwater harvesting in, turning off taps and fixing leaks. We can all save water (and money!) by changing our habits, whilst making sure that we never restrict our horse's access to drinking water. Being a sustainable equestrian is about cherishing the nature resources that we tend to take for granted.
Equestrians4Nature is part of White Griffin, the consultancy behind the federation wide vision for sustainable equestrianism. It aims to promote sustainable practices to help equestrians create a healthy environment for both horses and nature.
We will be at lots of equestrian events, so drop by our stand and get involved.