Preliminary examination of the perceptions of sustainable horse feeding practices in the Netherlands.
Authors: Kaya Karasu G, Krabbenborg R, Westerduin F, Rogers C W
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Sustainable Horse Feeding in the Netherlands Dutch horse owners demonstrate strong stated intentions towards sustainability, with 100% of respondents (n=338) expressing willingness to adopt more sustainable feeding practices, though their understanding centres predominantly on environmental impact reduction rather than broader sustainability metrics. The survey, stratified across yard types and sizes, revealed that plastic-free packaging represents the most immediately actionable intervention (60.5% uptake preference), suggesting feed merchants and suppliers may find receptive markets for this relatively straightforward modification. Small livery yards—which comprise two-thirds of the Dutch equestrian landscape—emerged as the segment with greatest potential for behaviour change (P<0.001), yet paradoxically may face the steepest practical barriers including limited land for pasture management optimisation and constrained financial margins that restrict investment in alternative feeding systems. The research highlights a critical disconnect between owner motivation and operational feasibility: whilst enthusiasm exists across the sector, meaningful adoption of sustainable feeding protocols will likely depend on how the economic viability and structural limitations of different enterprise sizes can be addressed, suggesting future interventions should focus on scalable, cost-effective solutions rather than assuming voluntary compliance will overcome these constraints. For practitioners advising on nutrition and pasture management, this work signals both opportunity and caution—clients may be receptive to sustainability recommendations, but implementation success will require tailoring advice to the specific operational and financial realities of individual yards rather than prescribing standardised approaches.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •There is strong demand among Dutch horse owners for sustainable feeding options; consider introducing plastic-free packaging and other sustainable feed products to your business offerings
- •Small livery operations represent the largest opportunity for implementing sustainable practices, though financial and land constraints may limit uptake in larger enterprises
- •Before adopting sustainable feeding practices, evaluate whether your yard size and economic model can support changes such as altered pasture management
Key Findings
- •All 338 Dutch horse owners surveyed (100%) expressed willingness to switch to more sustainable feeding practices
- •Low environmental impact was the most commonly associated term with sustainability (61.8% of respondents)
- •Plastic-free packaging products were the most popular sustainable feeding practice option (60.5% preference)
- •Small livery yards (<20 horses) showed the greatest numerical potential for behavior change (P < 0.001)