There is no horse welfare without a healthy environment was one of the key messages at World Horse Welfares recent webinar on sustainable equestrianism, during which leading experts in the field shared things that every horse owner can do to improve their impact on the planet.The 80-minute webinar, which is part of the charitys Welfare Wednesday Webinars, took place last week and was entitled Sustainable equestrianism: making the management of our horses more environmentally friendly.The panel featured Ruth Dancer, director at White Griffin, and Jenny Fernando, World Horse Welfare director of finance and administration, and was chaired by the charitys chief executive Roly Owers. The trio discussed what owners can do to ensure their horses are living as environmentally sustainably as possible.Ruth stressed the importance of not taking the environment for granted and not relying on other people to take action.The greatest threat to this planet is the belief that someone else will save it, she said. Every individual has an impact and the cumulative impact is what provides and produces the result. How to do your bitYour Horse was invited to view the webinar, and these are the top 10 things it was suggested that all horse owners can do to make a positive impact on our horses environment and, in turn, the planet.Conserving energySwitch off yard and stable lights and other electrical appliances when they are not being used.Enhance natural light sources to reduce the need for electricity for example, adding a window into your horses stable.Use renewable energy sources. Lots of equestrians are switching to wind turbines or solar, which is great as you maintain more control over your energy, advised Ruth.ProductsConsider whether you really need to buy what you are intending to buy. If you do, could you buy it second hand? Make sure you buy the best quality so it will last and buy it from a local supplier where possible.Remember the three Rs: repair, reuse, recycle. The best way of reducing emissions is to use stuff we already have and not go through the manufacturing process, added Ruth.Land managementKnow your grass.Get to know your specific soil type. Do some really basic research, which is readily available on the internet, to understand what that means for you and what you can grow well there, said Ruth. What type of grass do you have? Can you diversify? Move away from this monoculture with muddy, boggy bits everywhere and a fence.Utilise manure.Are you paying for manure to be taken away? Are you storing it and harrowing it back into the ground? Can you use those nutrients? We want to follow natures example as much possible rather than putting chemicals back into the land, added Ruth.Speak to your vet about switching to faecal worm egg counts and avoid using dewormers, which not only impact horses but also impact the environment and are not helpful in the growing problem of resistance to wormers.Saving waterWater shortages lie ahead, so its important to value water and not waste it. Dont allow buckets to overflow, fix any leaks, and apply water limiters to hoses. Consider installing water butts to catch rain water and use this to fill up buckets and troughs. This is called rainwater harvesting and is not only better for the environment, but better on your pocket, too. There is a bit of investment involved [in setting this up] but I really believe it will provide us with much needed water for our horses and our sport, continued Ruth.The most important thing is to start somewhere and do something. Dont be overwhelmed and think you have to do it all.Focus on the things you can control, do the things you can do and dont think you have to do it all at once. Dont be afraid to make mistakes, concluded Ruth.Main image ShutterstockFurther readingHorse worming schedule and management adviceTraditional frequent worming is unnecessary, research showsUKs first plastic-free arena surface launched7 ways to enrich your horses environmentEquine carbon calculator launched to inspire environmental actionThe post Horse welfare and being environmentally friendly are intrinsically linked, say experts appeared first on Your Horse.