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Sustainability is the act of balancing current resource use with the protection of the current or future environment. Equine nutrition and diet are critical not only for the well-being of horses but also for the environment. This postdoctoral research study found several ways to reduce the environmental impact of equine feeding. The majority are minor adjustments or considerations for improving feed conversion, using alternative ingredients, and managing fecal material in intensive husbandry. Strategic changes in horse feeding, such as focusing on highly digestible forages, processed grain rather than raw grains, and avoiding overfeeding, particularly protein and over supplementation, could help to mitigate the environmental impact of Europe's growing number of intensively managed equids. According to the current study, the average horse in the Netherlands has an estimated nitrogen excretion per horse per day of 228 g nitrogen per day, which is approximately %22 lower than the beef cow and %57 lower than the dairy cow. Although nitrogen excretion per unit animal is lower in horses than in beef or dairy cows, the Dutch equine industry may produce 37.4 metric tons of nitrogen per year based on current population numbers (450,000 horses). Reducing the crude protein content of the feed may lower this value; however, waste management (urine, feces, and bedding) has the greatest impact on the potential for nitrogen leaching and environmental consequences. This study additionally showed that Dutch horse owners are eager to feed their horses in a way that is sustainable. Popular choices for willing-to-change practices, such as plastic packaging and organic feed supply, may reflect measurable criteria or variables. In conclusion, the study found that current feeding management practices pollute the environment and that horse owners are eager to change them; however, prior to policy implementation, economic and operational constraints that may limit or be barriers to a horse yard's ability to change should be investigated.
Circular agriculture is an excellent principle, but much work needs to be done before it can become common practice in the equine sector. In the Netherlands, diversification in this sector is growing, and the professional equine field is facing increasing pressure to demonstrate environmentally sound horse feeding management practices and horse owners are becoming more aware of the need to manage their horses and the land on which they live in a sustainable manner. Horses should be provided with a predominantly fibre-based diet in order to mimic their natural feeding pattern, however grazing impacts pasture differently, with a risk of overgrazing and soil erosion in equine pastures. Additionally, most horses receive supplements not only with concentrates and oils, but also with minerals. Though the excess minerals are excreted in the manure of horses, these minerals can accumulate in the soil or leach to nearby waterways and pollute water resources.
Therefore, the postdoc research aims to answer the main question, “What horse feeding practices and measurements are needed to reduce and prevent environmental pollution in the Netherlands?”
The postdoc research is composed of two components; a broad survey-based study which will generate quantitative data on horse feeding management and will also obtain qualitative data on the owners’ engagement or willingness of horse owners to act sustainably. Secondly, a field study will involve the collection of detailed data via visits to horse stables in order to gather data for nutritional analysis and to collect fecal samples for mineral analysis. Students, lecturers and partners will actively participate in all phases of the planned research.
This postdoc research facilitates learning and intends to develop a footprint calculator for sustainable horse feeding to encompass the complexity of the equine sector, and to improve the Equine Sports and Business curriculum.