Dataset Information

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK.

ABSTRACT: Equestrian grazing management is a poorly researched area, despite potentially significant environmental impacts. This study explored keepers' use of alternative grazing systems in the care of UK horses, donkeys and mules through an internet survey. The survey was available during the summer of 2020 and comprised closed and open questions, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis, respectively. A total of 758 responses was incorporated into the analysis; the most popular system used were tracks (56.5%), Equicentral (19%), "other" (e.g., non-grass turnout) (12.5%), rewilding (7.5%) and turnout on either moorland (0.7%) or woodland (2.5%). The thematic analysis highlighted that equid keepers across the systems were highly engaged in exploring sustainable practices. Their approaches varied according to each system, yet all aimed to fulfil practices in three major categories, i.e., supporting diverse plant life (usually through restricting equid access to certain areas), supporting wildlife (through the creation of biodiverse environments) and sustainably managing droppings and helminths. Additionally, proponents of the Equicentral systems declared to be aiming to support soil health. These data provide a promising insight into equid keepers' behaviour and attitudes to sustainability.

SUBMITTER: Furtado T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8772570 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK.

Furtado Tamzin T King Mollie M Perkins Elizabeth E McGowan Catherine C Chubbock Samantha S Hannelly Emmeline E Rogers Jan J Pinchbeck Gina G

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 20220108 2

Equestrian grazing management is a poorly researched area, despite potentially significant environmental impacts. This study explored keepers' use of alternative grazing systems in the care of UK horses, donkeys and mules through an internet survey. The survey was available during the summer of 2020 and comprised closed and open questions, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and iterative thematic analysis, respectively. A total of 758 responses was incorporated into the analysis; th ...[more]

PMID: 35049774

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Project description:PurposePrevious surveys of anesthesiologists showed that despite a strong interest in implementing environmentally sustainable anesthetic practices, less than a third do so. Qualitative understanding of the capability, opportunity, and motivational factors that influence "green" behavior will inform the design of effective interventions to promote environmentally sustainable practices in the operating room (OR).MethodsWe conducted 23 semistructured interviews with anesthesiologists, with data saturation achieved. Applying the Behavior Change Wheel, interview questions addressed "capability," "opportunity," and "motivation" determinants of behavior.ResultsPreference for sevoflurane and syringe reuse were most commonly cited as existing environmentally sustainable anesthetic practices. Several participants reported lack of knowledge and feedback as impediments to sustainable anesthetic practices. Reported physical barriers included inadequate recycling facilities and abundance of supplies. Interviewees also discussed the importance of habitual behavior in improving skill sets and reducing cognitive load required to perform environmentally sustainable practices. General awareness of environmental issues and aggregation of marginal gains were reasons for environmentally sustainable measures in the OR. Organizational practice and culture played a significant role in the propagation of sustainable anesthetic practices, with senior staff often carrying a greater influence. While the majority preferred a top-down approach to effect change, others favored the use of incentives.ConclusionThis study provides insight into the factors that influence the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in the OR. Measures to promote these practices include education and training, feedback on efforts, engagement of senior anesthetists as role models and for change management, environmental restructuring, and policy designs that balance a top-down vs bottom-up approach to influencing change.

Dataset Information

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK.

Publications

An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK.

Similar Datasets

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