Too hot to trot? How horse owners in Australia have responded to major weather events

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article commences by outlining five perspectives on the sustainability of equestrian cultures covering the environment, the economy, human health, horse welfare, and social licence. Next, it presents findings from an online survey developed to understand how horse owners in Australia have been affected by major weather and climate events, how they responded in the short and long term, their considerations for the future, and the support they might require. Sixty-nine horse owners participated. Most (90%) reported being affected by major weather/climate event(s) in the last 10–20 years, four out of five (78%) took action at the time of the event and a similar proportion (80%) had taken actions for the longer term. Most (86%) had thought about preparations for future events, but had not yet taken any action, due to lack of time, money, materials, or storage. Almost all participants (93%) perceived a need for education, research, government policy. Since findings suggest horse owners may be less likely to engage with climate adaptation and sustainable horse keeping public education initiatives when they are related specifically to “climate change”, and more likely to engage when they are related to “land care, pasture management and improvement”, and “horse health and welfare”, an alternative rhetoric is recommended.