Horse Keeping and Climate Change: Simple Ways to Make a Difference for Earth Day

April 22, 2024 Alayne Blickle

When it comes to climate change, many feel that things are beyond our control and that we are rocketing towards a new world of environmental change. While this is true in part, there are several simple practices we as horse owners can do to make a difference and help reduce the effects of climate change. And what better time to consider this than on Earth Day!

Two simple techniques will go a long way towards reducing your carbon footprint, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly into the atmosphere. These practices will also benefit horse health and chore efficiency, as well as improve your property’s productivity. I'll even include alternative options if you board your horse or don’t own land.

GROW GREAT GRASS

The single most important thing horse owners can do is to manage pastures to maximize productivity and reduce overgrazing and bare spots. Through a process called photosynthesis, plants utilize the sun's energy to draw in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to manufacture food for themselves. Carbon sequestration by plants plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. More grass growing in a pasture means more carbon being sequestered. 

Contrast that with overgrazed pastures, where exposed, darker soil absorbs sunlight, making the ground hotter, drier, and dustier. Poor pasture management also means reduced quality and quantity of grass, increased soil erosion, nitrogen runoff from manure and urine, soil compaction, reduced water absorption, dust, and increased weeds. Reduced pasture productivity also increases feed costs and potentially increases vet bills if horses eat toxic weeds or develop health issues related to increased insect or dust exposure. 

Poor pasture management among horse and livestock owners contributes to worsening climate conditions, but the better we are at creating healthy pastures, the better we are at offsetting the effects of climate change.

If you don't have pasture or you board your horse, you can still do your part to sequester carbon from the atmosphere by planting a native tree or shrub at home or in a nearby park. Because native plants are adapted to local growing conditions, they require less water and no herbicides or pesticides. Growing a garden can also be beneficial. All plants are helpful—as the lungs of our planet, they all help reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Check out our native plants tip sheets for your landscaping inspiration!

COMPOST

Horses produce 50 pounds of manure per horse per day. Add used bedding and spent hay to that and you’re dealing with a sizable amount of daily stall waste. Composting reduces that volume to about half. Plus, it provides you with a free, easy, and valuable soil amendment that locks in soil moisture, stimulates biological activity in soil, adds nutrients, suppresses plant disease, and helps grow healthier plants—including pastures! Even if you don’t have pasture, you can use composted horse manure on your garden or lawn or offer it to your gardening friends and neighbors. For help getting started with composting, check out our How to Compost and Use Horse Manure tip sheet!  Addressing climate change is something we can each do in our own ways. We are each part of the problem and part of the solution. Every little bit helps, and all those little bits add up to making a big difference in the end.

Happy Earth Day!

Alayne