Using our Green Spaces in Equine Practice – Be Part of the Solution | British Equine Veterinary Association
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Using our Green Spaces in Equine Practice – Be Part of the Solution

Sustainability Tips for Everyone Sustainability Tips for Practices Sustainability in Equine Practice
06 Jun 2022 BEVA

We all know that we need to be playing our part in tackling the Climate Emergency in both our professional and personal lives. Within equine practice many businesses have outdoor space and there are a lot of ways we can use that space to help wildlife. Also with the ongoing significant issues around health and well-being within our profession spending time outdoors can be helpful to us all and there are lots of opportunities for people to work across teams to achieve something together.

Throughout the year there are things we can be doing to improve the local ecology of our outdoor spaces. Ideas include:

 

1. Take the time to consider if there are areas that could be used to create wildlife corridors and more diverse spaces. Typical areas in equine practice may include verges on the drive e.g., by paddocks or a school, areas behind stables, and areas near car parks. It is possible to keep these areas tidy by only mowing the edges, but allowing the grass and wild flowers further in by fences to grow.

 

2. Plant pots and containers at the entrance to the practice and in key places and choose plants that are attractive to pollinators. Hanging baskets also look great around stable areas for the clients to see and basic irrigation system are easy to set up next to stable taps on the yard or, even better, install a Water Butt.

 

3. Place a sightings book in your reception area so both your team and your clients can write down any birds, animals or flowers that are seen. This will enable you to see what is attracted to your area and if there is any change or increase over time. Often clients are waiting for their horses so it gives them a chance to think about the environment too.

 

4. Consider putting up nest boxes. Find out which species are in your area, and ensure that the bird boxes are suitable for the species and location. There is bound to be someone in the practice who can turn their orthopaedic skills to creation of a nest box! Make sure these go up in plenty of time before the breeding season so the birds get a chance to check them out and, if your ‘practice Santa Claus’ is asked very early, a nest box camera can allow the team to see all the action from nest building to fledging day.

 

5. Many practices have lots of pallets from shavings deliveries. There are resources for designs for building insect hotels from pallets. There are always spare corners in equine practices – give your hotel a name so people know what it is.

 

6. A further use for pallets is also to build a compost area – if you are planting pots and flowers then you may as well have good compost available so save buying peat-based composts from a garden centre. Pallets can also be used to make trough containers by fixing a plank to the bottom of each of the tiers.

 

7. Create a pond, even if it’s small. This provides a water source for many species and can increase biodiversity levels. This is also a good team-building event, from researching what to put in it and how to build and maintain it, to the physical effort of making it. Whatever design you use then don’t forget a ramp so that inadvertent swimmers can get out.

 

8. We all know there are issues with hedgehogs declining in rural areas. Hedgehogs often have more than one sleeping area so why not invest in a few hedgehog houses and place in strategic areas at the practice.

 

9. Feeding the birds can bring a lot of pleasure to people. If the finances are available to do so then a collection of seeds, fat balls and nuts can attract a range of birds. You soon get to know your regulars.

 

10. Let your clients know what you are doing as they will likely have similar spaces. Imagine the changes we could bring if we, as a profession, embraced this and our clients did too.

 

These are just some of the things we can easily do in equine practice. Now is a great time to plan out what you are going to to do for the next 12 months so that things can be prepped in autumn and winter ready for springtime. If you have a large practice space it may also be worth contacting your local wildlife trust who may be able to give you advice specific to your location. If you have other ideas, or photos of what you have done, then let us know. There is so much we can do to help our environment that doesn’t necessarily cost much to do and that we can enjoy together working as a team to make a difference.