EQUUSCONSERVA
by van hall larenstein university of applied sciences
Protecting our environment and increasing nature’s resilience is more important than ever. By 2050, 10% of the rural area in the Netherlands must be covered by small landscape features: hedgerows, trees, ponds, flower strips, and much more. However, to achieve this goal, an additional 225.000 hectares of landscape elements are needed. In the Netherlands, the equine sector occupies about 230.000 hectares of land. This means that horse owners can make a significant contribution to one of the greatest challenges of our time.
What’s more, adding small landscape features can work wonders for equine welfare too:
🌳 Hedges and trees provide protection against the elements, filter and cool the air, and can, as long as they are not toxic, promote the foraging behavior of horses.
🌊 A pond or stream is great for cooling down, playing, and as a catchment for excess rainwater.
🌼 Flower- and herb-rich strips provide an ideal habitat for insects and make for a lovely addition to a yard.
🐎 It’s a win-win-win: more biodiversity and landscape quality, improved equine welfare, and new business models for horse owners.
It is vital that the equine sector continues to promote their role in the current agro-ecological transition. That’s why, with this project, we hope to gain an even better understanding of how much equine yards currently contribute towards biodiversity, improved equine welfare and a green environment.
Spend a few moments recording specific landscape features using our easy-to-use platform.
Monitor the presence of plant species unique to equine environments.
Provide your thoughts on how these features affect equine wellbeing and yard management.
Make a profile to join in on our project and get access to all of the features the platform has to offer.
Use the tools provided to observe and log information about the presence of landscape features on your equine property.
Upload your data and get immediate results about you yard's biodiversity potential.
Help build a comprehensive picture of Europe's biodiversity.
Data you collect could influence local and national environmental policies.
By enhancing your yard's biodiversity, you create a better environment for your horses.
Your data will be part of a national dataset analyzed by environmental experts to develop guidelines for equine landscape management that promotes biodiversity and equine health.
Your yard is more than just land. It's a living ecosystem that supports diverse life. Take the first step in being a guardian of biodiversity. Sign up today and be the change!
© Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences 2026
