Make a difference

Want to make a positive difference to the environment but not sure how to go about it? Look no further. Here’s our quick guide to how you can help the world around you from the comfort of your own yard

Our ever-changing environment is a staple of the news, and climate change a growing concern for everyone. But what can you do to make a difference to the world around you? It can seem a daunting task, but even small changes can have a big effect and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Here are five small things you can do to make a big difference…

1. Bottled up

Plastic bottles can quickly add up, and not all of them are recyclable. Instead, why not try to reuse them and other packaging you use on the yard? Some companies now offer refills on shampoos, feed and even supplements. Refill old spray bottles with coat shine to give your horse a spruce up. Some companies also sell bars of soap and shampoo for your horse, saving on plastics and creating less waste.

2. Waste not, want not

While wasting water is a huge issue on a global scale, there’s no reason why you can’t start with small changes on your yard – it all adds up! Why not install a water butt at your yard, or even in your garden, and using rainwater to wash your horse off? You could use the leftover water from his buckets or trough to soak his hay or feed, too.

TOP TIP

While reusing water to soak your horse’s hay is a great way to reduce waste, ensure you don’t reuse the water you soak his hay with and start fresh with each soak.

3. Off to bed

While spring may be well on its way, for many horse owners that doesn’t mean the bedding bill goes down. Choosing degradable bedding options is a great way to do your bit for the environment. Straw and wood pellets are a good choice for your muck heap, and many shavings companies are now offering biodegradable options. Hemp, an increasingly popular bedding, absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases during its growing period and doesn’t require pesticides.

4. Can we fix it?

There’s no shortage of companies who can wash and repair rugs, so why not enlist their services before buying a brand new one? Baler twine makes a great fillet string replacer and it can be used to tie hanging hooks up or create a rug rack in your horse’s stable, too. If you have unwanted tack or rugs, you could donate them to an equine charity where they can do some good and avoid landfill.

5. Power up

Do you really need to leave the lights on in the barn overnight or even while you’re out riding? Being aware of the amount of power we use on a daily basis is important when it comes to taking care of the world around us. Consider using solar lights in the arena, barn or stables to save on electricity. Try to keep light and radios usage to a minimum. It might not seem like much, but the little you can do is better than nothing.

Keen to do your bit for the environment? Take a look at these brilliant, eco-friendly products to help you kit your yard out…

Ethos Smart Bedding

Made from 100% natural miscanthus, this biodegradable bedding has fantastic environmental and carbon capture properties. It’s carbon negative, too, removing three tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere for every tonne grown. Go Ethos develop their products with the environment at the heart of everything they do, focusing heavily on renewable energy, recycling and tree planting projects. The bedding comes in original or scented – lavender, eucalyptus or citronella – options.

Pallets from £259.20 for 36 20kg bales

goethos.co.uk

Derby House Evolution lightweight standard neck turnout rug

This affordable rug is 100% perfluorinated compound (PFC) free, which makes it far more environmentally friendly. PFCs are harmful chemicals used to improve waterproofing, but they can pollute the surrounding area during production and even leave residue on the rug itself. This rug performs to the same standard of waterproofing, just without harmful chemicals, it features a 600 denier outer and is breathable, too. Features taped seams, a standard neck, shoulder gusset, 0g fill and elasticated leg straps – the perfect waterproof rug to keep your horse cool and dry this spring.

£45.99

derbyhousestore.com/Derby-House-Evolution-PFC-Free-Lightweight-Standard-Turnout-Rug

Leovet Booster Bottles

A brand new innovation from Leovet aiming to push the equestrian industry towards a more sustainable future, their bottles now not only contain 10% more product than the original 500ml options, but every one is both recyclable and made from 100% recycled plastic. Plus, its pump nozzle is recyclable, too, so you don’t have to worry about disposal. Leovet hopes that this new initiative will reduce the amount of new plastic being produced. With an extra 50ml per bottle, this saves one bottle for every 10 used, reducing waste and giving you better value for money.

facebook.com/leovetUKIreland

See Change® THE ORIGINAL HORSE SHAMPOO BAR

The best way to cut down on single-use plastic? Give it a miss completely. This exciting new horse shampoo comes in the form of a bar, meaning no plastic, less packaging and a 100% biodegradable product. It’s sensitive and luxurious, smells great and is just as effective as traditional bottled shampoo – plus it’s kind to both your horse and the earth. In its concentrated bar form it lasts three times as long as bottled shampoo, plus it’s paraben, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and polyethylene glycols (PEG) free and 100% vegan. Not only for your horse, See Change® make a dog shampoo, too – perfect to keep your pooch looking his best.

£15.99

seechangenow.co.uk

Rowberton clothing

This brand new, sustainable clothing brand favours organic or recycled materials that care for not just your skin, but the environment, too. They fill the gap between riding apparel and everyday clothing to create a stylish, practical look. Rowberton clothing was founded by a passionate equestrian with a pedigree in fashion who strongly believes that fashion shouldn’t be disposable. This makes for a fun, easy to wear collection ideal for yard and town wear alike. Perfect for riders who are keen to minimise their environmental impact and step away from ‘fast fashion’.

rowberton.com

Carr & Day & Martin aluminium bottles

As part of their ongoing mission for sustainability, Carr & Day & Martin have made the transition from plastics to aluminium when packaging their products. This has meant a 44% reduction in plastic from their range, making them 77% plastic-free. The new, aluminium bottles are 100% recyclable, too, which will perfectly complement their brand new recycling scheme for customers. All your favourites, including Canter Mane & Tail and Flygard Extra Strength, have maintained their effective formulas, so you’re sure to enjoy the same fantastic products as before.

carrdaymartin.co.uk