Our horses are important to us. Research is essential to build knowledge and encourage innovative solutions to help care for horses, improve their performance and investigate any field that will improve their welfare.
This blog is your opportunity for you, as a horse owner or perhaps an organisation, a supplier or worker who provides a service for horse owners, to make suggestions for research ideas.
Research topics which are suggested, supported and with the findings promoted by horse owners are the best investment.
Research ideas can be small (a veterinary student undertaking a desktop study to demonstrate a specific analytical skill has been learnt) to a project which spans several
years and has a research team with multiple investment partners.
Suggestions should be supplied on where some funds may be obtained to support the research and who may be able to provide in-kind support (e.g. access to data & records, products for testing or horses)
Horse SA will promote the ideas collected to researchers and assist where possible to support the collaboration process required for research to commence.
Horse SA has established an approved Tax Deductable Gift Recipient (DGR) Account for the purposes of raising funds to support research into horse health, welfare and related issues.
For further information about the Trust Email Julie horsesa@horsesa.asn.au
Account Name: The Australian Horse Industry Research & Development Trust
Bank SA BSB: 105-124, Account Number: 044 579 240
ABN 91 543 859 559
Here are some ideas from a Horse Keeping & Natural Resources Management Workshop
Models for mentoring horse property owners in sustainable Natural Resources Management practices.
Case studies of community-driven Natural Resources Management improvements on public land under the care and control of horse-related organisations.
Internet portal collating horse keeping and Natural Resources Management information specifically related to small holdings.
Economic modelling around horse keeping systems with and without Natural Resources Management improvements.
Guide to investment in environmental works on small holdings with horses (investment vs environmental outcome expected).
Investigate best trees for shelter belts for horses in different rainfall zones.
Horse health issues linked to environmental living conditions (e.g. toxicity), and horse keeping practices leading to increased incidence of sand colic, horse keeping systems and the presence of worm burdens (moving from anecdotal to science-based).
Best grasses for horses in differing rainfall zones and/or soil types. (4)
Review of Federal Government policy relating to Natural Resources Management and the environment to consider if there is perceived or real isolation/non-recognition of peri-urban small holdings, especially in relation to those containing horses.
Research into the range of grants and tax relief measures available to small property owners/horse owners inthe area of Natural Resources Management and the environment and improved land management practices. Suggest where new policy may be beneficial.
Provide advice to government on where there could be further opportunities made available. (3)
Comparative analysis of horse keeping systems in selected parts of the world and their direct or indirect contribution to improved Natural Resources Management. (2)
Dictionary of terminology linking key horse keeping terms and key Natural Resources Management terms.
Advanced Natural Resources Management manual for commercial horse properties.
Guide for Local Government planners on parameters for assessing Development Applications for horse keeping and the use of Property Management Plans for improvements in Natural Resources Management.
Evaluation of the ‘Dry Sheep Equivalent’ (DSE) measurement tool to see if it is the most accurate/margin of error/there is a better formula in relation to horses, which are not ruminants.
Cost benefit analysis of good land management practices (sustainable grazing) vs hand feeding of horses.
The Ultimate Australian Study of Horses, Dung Beetles, Earth Worms and Composting.
Effects of the use common farm chemicals on horses in differing horse keeping systems.
Urban geography project to provide forecasting tools, based around small holdings in peri-urban areas.
Horse Keeping & Climate Change effects & opportunities
What is best practice urban horse keeping?