Horse owners go green

HORSE owners are being shown how to reduce their impact on the environment as pressure from councils and regulatory agencies mounts. Industry organisation HorseSA has published guidelines for horse keepers, with the reduction of pollution in mind. Project manager of Horses Land and Water Julie Fiedler said the association had decided it was "better to take the lead than be led".
"We wanted to be on the front foot working with regulatory agencies, the Environment Protection Authority or local government, setting agreed standards for horse-keeping that are acceptable to the industry," she said.
"We saw a need - but it was quite difficult at the start, because we came from a background with conflict."
The voluntary guidelines ask horse-keepers to prevent erosion and stop the nutrients from manure, fertiliser, pesticides or veterinary products entering waterways.
An action planner has been prepared to accompany the guidelines in a package available nationwide.
HorseSA chairwoman Helen Whittle said many people wanted tips about better horse-property management.
"They love the lifestyle, but tend to be people that don't have any knowledge of how to look after the place," she said.
"And they are often buying places that have been run down."
She said she admired the good work done at a 35ha property at Scott Creek, where owners Sandy and Jim ripped out willow trees, broom and blackberry to plant native vegetation.