Introduction

Areas where horses congregate, such as hand feeding areas, water troughs, gateways and shelters have a lot of hoof traffic which can quickly wear down pasture, leaving bare and unstable soil.
 

These areas can have problems with mud and dust, and are more susceptible to soil erosion, soil compaction and pugging. Bare soil in grazing or feeding areas increases the risk of horses getting sand colic. Dust also increases the risk of horses getting respiratory tract infections. There can also be a build-up of manure in these areas. Soil erosion and water runoff from these areas can lead to pollution of watercourses, including dams and creeks.
 

Property owners also have responsibilities under legislation (Environmental Protection Authority's Environmental Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003) to avoid discharging or depositing waste or pollutants into any waters, bores or on to land where it might enter the water.
 

Steps to achieve best practice

Suggested actions are:-

• If hand feeding is done in paddocks, select your location carefully - avoid clay or sand or low lying areas that tend to get wet or drain directly into watercourses.
• Consider permanently surfacing the heavy horse traffic areas.
• Rotate the position of hand feeding areas in paddocks so they are always on stable ground, to prevent areas becoming bare.
• Locate water troughs on stable ground away from paddock corners.
• Locate feeding areas and water troughs etc away from areas that drain directly into watercourses, to minimise the risk of water pollution.
• Lay down rubber conveyor belt matting or other "pad" material which will both provide surface protection and prevent feed getting mixed with dirt. This type of surface can also be moved around to suit.

 

 
Areas where horses congregate have a lot of hoof traffic which can quickly wear down pasture, leaving bare and unstable soil.

 

 

 
Rubber conveyor belt matting or other "pad" material will both provide surface protection and prevent feed getting mixed with dirt. This type of surface can also be moved around to suit.

Links

• Legislation: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/legislation.html or www.parliament.sa.gov.au
• Land Management Program advisers: www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/services.html
• Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Hoofprints - A manual for Horse Property Management - J. Foyel, Primary Industries SA. Agdex 461/10
• A Legal guide for South Australian primary producers - SA Law Society, available from PIRSA offices, Natural Resource Centres (but note some legislation referred to is now superseded)
• Managing Horses on Small Properties - by Jane Myers. Landlinks Press available through CSIRO publishing or Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Horse Sense - Landlinks Press or from Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au
• Check the websites from your State department of agriculture for additional books and fact sheets