Report - Section 5.2.1

5.2.1   Horse pasture management

Particular environmental benefits that can be derived from well-managed horse grazing are:

• Better standards of land management eg Current Set Aside can result in the growth of dangerous weeds such as ragwort; and
• Retaining land use for traditional rural activity.

In 2000, the Countryside Agency, with the help of Writtle College in Essex, carried out research to provide guidance for planners, landowners and others on the impact of heavy horse pasture management.

Horses have been on the receiving end of criticism concerning their landscape effects for many years. The intention of this study was to gather the facts surrounding their use of the countryside, such that where this criticism is justified, measures can be put into place to promote improved practices.

Potential short-term landscape impacts of incorrect pasture maintenance include:

• Damage to vegetation and to the soil structure through over-grazing;
• Some horses eat tree bark and twig which can damage trees;
• Weeds and uncontrolled, rank, grass growth in the growing season.

Medium and longer-term effects (which can apply equally to sheep/cattle/other species if badly managed) include:

• Field fencing;
• Intrusive built structures;
• Health of the land, in terms of soil nutrient status and structure;
• Changes in botanical composition of the sward;
• Change in invertebrate and animal life supported by grassland;
• Breaking up agricultural units into smaller parcels of land;
• Alteration of the landscape character by changes in land use and land cover.

Following on from this study, a Horse Pasture Management Project has been established in Surrey, part-funded by the Countryside Agency. The priority for the project is to introduce and spread good practice (see below). A series of advice notes is being prepared for distribution in the project area. It is intended to establish a website where horse owners anywhere will be able to access this guidance. A demonstration project is also planned that will show best practice in horse-keeping.

Pasture managers express a need for information about:

• Worming practice;
• Planning regulations;
• Soil analysis and fertiliser requirements;
• Fencing materials;
• How to cure muddy gateways and roadways;
• Organic methods of weed control and fertilising;
• Overall management for specific soil types;
• New developments in soil and technology;
• Seed mixtures;
• Livery contracts and grazing agreements;
• Creation of meadows.

There are parallels between the project area and the High Weald, and some important lessons can be drawn from the Project. Indeed joint activity is planned with the High Weald AONB on producing advice notes.