If you’ve ever wondered what part horses play in helping the environment, we’ve got some great news for you! Horses not only play important, but very crucial roles in protecting and maintaining this beautiful planet humans and animals alike call “home.” Horses are natural providers, and being aware of how impactful their everyday tasks really are to the world will help us all love them so much more, if that’s even possible!
Here are some ways horses are helping to restore and maintain the environment.
1. Preserve Grasslands
It may come as no surprise that horses love to graze. When horses moderately rotate their grazing areas, this actually promotes grass to keep growing! Along with promoting grass to grow, rotational grazing can prevent erosion and promote healthy growth of vegetation. So basically, horses can help provide us with better food!
2. Maintain Habitats For Other Wildlife
Grazing provides more than just a healthy diet for our trusty steeds! Other animals rely on horses for finding safe and healthy habitats in which to thrive. Because grazing patterns allow for other wildlife to maintain a steady protection plan, this keeps other wildlife safe and provides a sort of consistency they can count on. By grazing certain areas and leaving other areas full of tall grass and plants, larger animals are provided shelter from their predators. And the grazed areas? Well, those protect smaller animals from their predators!
3. Protect Natural Water Sources
Another way horses help maintain habitats is by simply just leaving them be. Since most owners tend to use water troughs, natural water sources like lakes, ponds, and streams are encouraged to flow naturally. These areas are less likely to experience erosion without the disruptions horses may cause, which is just another way horses inspire mother nature to continue growing!
4. Destroy Unwanted Weeds & Plants
We know horses have a lot of power behind their steps. But all that power can actually help kill unwanted plants and weeds! Naturally, horses trample these intruders and it benefits the entire ecosystem around them. So, you could say every step they take helps the environment grow!
5. Distribute Seeds
These helpful creatures can be picky about what they eat, which is great for the environment! Horses spread seeds while grazing, much like birds do. Once the seeds have passed through their digestive tracts, they release them back to the earth but in a very fertile setting. This encourages the growth of more plants to help sustain the ecosystem for all. When horses eat, everyone in the ecosystem wins!
6. Prevent Wildfires
Fertilizer made from horse manure has many benefits. It improves the quality of soil, providing more nutrients to help grass and vegetation grow. Healthy growth of grass and vegetation prevents the growth of brush, which is known to spread wildfires. Without as much brush, wildfires have lower risk of spreading. You could say horses keep the world from catching fire!
If you had any doubts before on how impactful these big and lovable creatures are to this world, put them to rest for good. Horses help more than the humans who are lucky enough to own them. They also give life, protection, and hope to plants, animals, and even insects all around. Next time you see a horse, take a second to remember all they do and give them a big “Thank You!”