Latest Ecological News | Switch Equine

Date: 26/01/2026

Parasites, Pasture and the Quiet Revolution in Equine Management

Modern parasite control is undergoing a quiet revolution. For decades, horse owners were taught to worm routinely, rotate products, and “dose after the first frost.” But the latest research paints a very different picture — one where good grazing, diagnostics, and ecological awareness matter far more than frequent chemical treatments. Today we know that only a small proportion of horses shed most of the parasite eggs, that frost doesn’t kill larvae, and that over‑worming accelerates resistance while harming soil life, dung beetles, water quality and wider biodiversity. Parasites aren’t simply an enemy to eliminate; they’re part of a complex ecological system that horses have evolved to live with. This blog explores the science behind modern worming strategies, the role of refugia, why winter worming is discouraged, how to protect the environment, and how to build a sustainable, evidence‑based parasite‑control plan that supports both horses and the land they depend on. If you’re ready to move beyond outdated routines and towards a more intelligent, ecological approach, this is your starting point.

Date: 12/01/2026

Hedgerows: The Quiet Architecture of the Countryside

Hedgerows are far more than field boundaries — they’re living systems that shelter wildlife, protect soil, improve water quality, and create natural resilience across horse paddocks and farmland. This guide explores why hedgerows matter, how to plant and manage them, and the traditional rejuvenation techniques that bring tired, over‑stood hedges back to life.

Date: 28/11/2025

Horsemanship Showcase: EM1 Seed Mix

At the Horsemanship Showcase we shared a special seed mix designed to help equestrian landowners improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and support horse welfare. This blog explains what’s inside the mix, how each species contributes to resilient pastures, and why planting diverse seeds is a simple but powerful step towards healthier horses and stronger ecosystems.

Date: 26/11/2025

Why trees and hedgerows matter for equestrian land

Trees and hedgerows are more than boundaries — they are living systems that support horse welfare, soil health, and biodiversity. From willow and alder absorbing floodwater to oak and beech storing hundreds of tonnes of carbon per hectare, planting trees strengthens resilience and productivity on equestrian land. Hedgerows act as wildlife corridors and edge habitats, where biodiversity is richest, while silvopasture and orchard designs add food and economic value. With farmland becoming increasingly disconnected and hedgerows under threat, protecting and planting more is essential for horses, landowners, and communities alike.

Date: 25/11/2025

Trees and Hedgerows for Horses: A Species Guide

Trees and hedgerows are more than boundaries — they are living systems that enrich equestrian land. From willow’s water‑regulating properties to hawthorn’s safe browse and sea buckthorn’s nutritional berries, each species offers unique equine benefits, agroecological roles, and ecosystem services. This guide explores which trees to plant, which to avoid, and how a thoughtful mix can improve horse welfare, biodiversity, and land resilience.

Date: 11/11/2025

Switch Equine Featured in Happy Trackin'

Switch Equine feature in Happy Trackin Magazine!

Date: 05/07/2025

Let’s Rethink Overgrazing: It's Not Just About Numbers

Overgrazing isn’t about how many horses you keep—it’s about how you manage their access to the land. With small shifts in grazing patterns, we can break the spiral of soil compaction and weed dominance and build a resilient system that benefits horses, pastures, and people alike. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing different.

Date: 04/07/2025

Hay for Horses: What Good Hay Really Looks Like

What makes hay truly good for horses? It’s not just about timing or yield—it’s about species diversity, soil health, and matching forage to your horse’s physiology. This guide explores how fibre drives satiety, why sugar-rich grazing can lead to laminitis, and how to test hay for nutritional balance. Learn how to feed from the ground up—through whole foods, regenerative practices, and a deeper understanding of what’s really in your feed bucket.

Date: 23/05/2025

Weeds Are Nature's Messengers—Are We Listening?

Weeds don’t invade at random—they emerge in response to soil stress, compaction, or nutrient imbalance. By observing what’s growing and where, we can decode what the land is asking for. Rather than battling them with chemicals, it’s time to shift the conversation: let’s listen, adjust our grazing, and work with nature to restore balance.

Date: 23/05/2025

Frequently Asked Questions about Switch Equine

At Switch Equine, we go beyond tracks and tidy paddocks—we design systems where horses and habitats thrive together. From understanding how weeds can guide your grazing choices to exploring nature-based finance for your land, our FAQ covers some of the most common questions we receive, and the thoughtful, ecological principles behind our work.

Date: 05/05/2025

Grazing Strategies: Sheep, Deer, Horses, and Cattle in Conservation Management

Different grazing animals shape landscapes in unique ways, influencing vegetation composition, biodiversity, and soil health. Understanding how their grazing strategies, movement behaviours, and hoof morphology interact with the land is crucial for conservation grazing efforts.

Date: 02/05/2025

The Hidden Costs of Glyphosate

What are the hidden costs of glyphosate? How is it impacting our health, our horses health and our environmental health? And why is it still just so prolifically?

Date: 12/04/2025

What is soil and why should we care?

Modern land management practices have disrupted the delicate balance of our living soils. Intensive grazing, overuse of chemical fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides have decimated the natural microbial communities—especially the mycorrhizal fungi that form vital underground nutrient-exchange networks with plants. When synthetic inputs replace natural processes, we lose the very life that sustains soil structure and fertility. Investing in soil health is one of our most effective strategies for climate resilience.

Date: 04/04/2025

Switch Equine Featured in CIEEM's InPractice Magazine

Exciting News! Switch Equine Featured in CIEEM's InPractice Magazine! I'm absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news for Switch Equine! Our work highlighting the positive impact of horses on the environment has been featured in the latest (March 2025) issue of InPractice Magazine!

Date: 07/03/2025

meet the team: our animals and their roles at switch equine

At Switch Equine, we believe that our animals are at the heart of everything we do. They not only inspire us but also play vital roles in shaping the way we approach equine welfare, land management, and animal care. We rescue and care for animals in need, providing them with the love, respect, and environment they deserve. Here’s an introduction to our current and past animal family, each one contributing to the success and heart of our work.

Date: 07/03/2025

who we are: switch equine’s mission to blend equine care with environmental sustainability

Laura has a passion for horses and brings extensive academic qualifications with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, a Master of Research in Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Equine Science. She is also a Chartered Environmentalist.

Date: 07/03/2025

what is grass and why is it important?

It’s that green stuff that grows in the field and on our lawns right? And when it comes to horses, there’s always too much or too little. But still, grass is just grass … right?