8/ NOVEMBER 2019 THE RIDER MY SPIN: Regenerative Agriculture and Horses


tell what’s what any more! Wikipedia: “Regenerative Agriculture is a


conservation and rehabilitation approach to food and farming systems. It focuses on topsoil re- generation, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing echo system services, supporting biosequestration (I.e. the capture and storage of green house gas carbon by biological processes), increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil. Practices include, recycling as much farm waste as possible, and adding com- posted material from sources outside the farm.” Let’s look at the above definition and see


where horse people are doing their part. Not lim- ited to... Topsail regeneration: horse manure is re-


By Susan Dahl. Everyone is talking about climate


change. Again. According to 1 USA Congress-


woman, we only have 12 years to live! Why is it that there is a small percentage of the human population that periodically shouts that the sky is falling. The sky is falling? I might be able to live without planes but cows or horses? Not! I do agree though that we as humans


do need to be good stewards of our mother earth Gaia and take care of her by remov- ing pollution among other things. That’s the beauty of horse people: we know how important it is to look after our land for our horses (and other animal friends). Now climate change and regenera-


tive agriculture are being lumped in to- gether. Though I strongly believe in regenerative agriculture, I’m not so sure it’s a cause for global warming or climate change. Some scientists say that all the planets in our solar system are warming naturally due to the sun’s solar flashes. Some scientists contradict that. It’s hard to


distributed on pasture and farm land to regenerate the land. Improving the water cycle: Horse, like cattle farms are fencing off their water lands. I do not let my horses have access to the water ponds here. Increased biodiversity: Horse farms in Ontario often combine other animals and different crops. Unlike other parts of Canada, horse people often are on small areas of land where we have to be smart and be diverse. Increasing the resilience to climate change: Horse people have traditionally given back to the land or our pasture fields will not produce nutri- tionally hay or feed crops to provide for our horses. Those who focus on monocropping might consider being more biodiverse. Ontario Grain Farmer (https://ontariograin-


farmer.ca/2019/03/01/regenerative-agriculture/) states: “Regenerative Agriculture is not a produc- tion method like conventional or organic produc- tion but rather a style of management that uses site specific practises to improve the quality and prof- itability of agricultural land.” So as horse people, who may also be farmers or


rural inhabitants, we could do our part to help with improving soil management. One area in particular would be over grazing.


Horse Land Management Practises:


1. Rotate pasture fields. 2. Spread horse manure on land for soil regeneration. 3. Composting old hay and grain to be fed back into pasture or hay lands. 4. Wetlands conservation. 5. Pasture fields are extremely important to horse peo- ple so planting buffer trees help with soil conserva-


Horsing Around with Sunderland Co-op


Equine Seminar Night for local equestrians.


Keene, Ontario, October 18th, 2019: Sunderland Co-op – Peter- borough hosted their fourth an- nual Equine Seminar Night at Stillbrook Riding Stables in Keene, Thursday, October 17th. Over 50 equestrians from throughout


the Peterborough


Sunderland Co-op – Peterborough hosts Informative


County were in attendance. Half of all ticket proceeds were do- nated to Peterborough County 4- H Club. Attendees


gave an in-depth presentation on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. Causes, preventative measures


evening with a light supper served by 4-H volunteers and a social period with several sales reps from industry leading and local suppliers. Dr. Leah Knox DVM spoke


began the


events have raised over $1000 for Peterborough County 4-H Clubs.


a full-service farm store, serving all agricultural needs, with loca- tions in Sunderland, Oakwood, Peterborough & Lindsay. Our wide range of departments in- clude livestock nutrition, agron- omy, grain elevation and marketing, petroleum and farm supply. Being a member-based co-operative, we pride ourselves on establishing meaningful rela- tionships with each and every one of our customers.


About Sunderland Co-opera- tive Inc: Sunderland Co-operative is


evening was Jo-yann Woolsey of Buckeye Nutrition. Her presenta- tion covered the basics of non- structured carbohydrates (NSCs) also known as starches and sug- ars and their role in the equine diet. She covered levels in cereal grains, complete feeds and for- ages, teaching how to choose the best option for individual horses and ponies. The combined past year’s


and treatment options were dis- cussed. Dr. Knox stressed the im- portance of free-choice forage and increased turnout time. The second speaker of the


tion. It provides a habitat for birds and other ani- mals. 6. Give particular attention to high traffic areas so they don’t become barren of grass.


Def’n: “Regenerative Agriculture is defined as a system of farming principles and practices that in- creases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves wa- tersheds, and enhances ecosystem services.. By capturing carbon in soil and aboveground biomass, regenerative agriculture aims to reverse current trends of atmospheric accumulation. At the same time, if offers increased yields, resilience to cli- mate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming communities.” Source: Terra Genesis In- ternational. (Credit: Escarpment Magazine, Fall 2019 pg. 24. Cara Williams)


Horse Land Stewards Are Similar to Cattle Farmers


1. Keeping horses out of streams similarily to cow


farmers. 2. Keeping ponds clean and free of pesticides. 3. Use non-round up type pesticides for weed management.


There are many things that horse people can do to help the environment and climate change. I like to refer to it as proper stewardship.


Putting my spin on climate change and land stew- ardship. Reinersue @KISS Reiners


About Susan Dahl Susan Dahl, ORHA/NRHA past multiple cham-


pion, writer, blogger, author and clinician, retired certified professional horse trainer. Owner of Foun- dation Reining Training Centre in Durham, ON. She specializes in effective horsemanship, and reining. For more information on her services: judging, clin- ics or resale horses, please contact her on facebook, her website: www.reinersuehorsemanship.com or rein- ersue@hotmail.com


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