A day to learn how to 'read' your horse pastures through fun and participatory workshops (role-playing games, botanical safari, solving riddles), where you will discover how agro-ecology can change your perspective on 'weeds' and sustainably optimize the management of your pastures.

** OBJECTIVES **

- Acquire the basics of agro-ecology applied to horse pastures to optimize their management in a context of climate change.
- Learn to identify weeds and interpret their presence as indicators of soil and ecosystem health.
- Move beyond the binary vision of 'good/bad weeds' to adopt a systemic approach to pastures.
- Develop observation and analysis skills in the field to effectively diagnose pasture conditions.
- Develop pasture management strategies tailored to the specifics of equines to secure forage production.

** FOR WHOM? **

- All managers of equestrian structures (riding centers, breeders, training centers, owner stables...) or project holders.
- Private horse owners.

Capacity: Between 8 and 10 learners

** TRAINING CONTENT **

Morning: Identify and know the weeds.

Game: 'Who am I?':
1. Morphology and biological cycle of common weeds
2. Ecology of indicator plants
3. Potential toxicity for equines

Field trip: 'Observation Safari':
1. Observation and recording methodology
2. Practical identification of plants in the field
3. Reading the landscape and micro-habitats
4. Basic notions of soils and their functioning

Afternoon: Adapt your management to the ecosystem.

Role-playing game: 'The Trial of Weeds':
1. Impact of weeds on forage production,
2. Ecological roles of spontaneous plants,
3. Dynamics of spontaneous plants,
4. Intervention thresholds and tolerance.

Practical exercise: 'Management Plan':
1. Agro-ecological management techniques (rotational grazing, spot mowing, crushing, overseeding, rest periods...),
2. Intervention calendar according to weed types,
3. Balance between forage performance and biodiversity,
4. Adaptation to different equine uses.

Workshop: 'Case Studies':
1. Study of participants' structures,
2. Practical solutions adapted to management constraints of a structure,
3. Balance between agro-ecological practices and operational constraints,
4. Planning and prioritization of interventions in a professional context.

Summary and evaluation:
1. Summary of agro-ecology principles applied to horse pastures,
2. Prioritization of possible interventions,
3. Listing of resources for further study,
4. Individual commitment,
5. Conclusion of the day.

** TEACHING TEAM **

Marie-Laure Guénot (company Terres et Chevaux), Farmer, agricultural advisor specialized in agro-ecological pasture management and equine accommodation designer, and trainer on these same themes since 2014.

** EXPECTED RESULTS AFTER THE TRAINING **

At the end of this training, participants will be able to observe and interpret the floristic composition of their pastures, identify the main weeds and their ecological significance, and then develop management strategies adapted to equine specifics that optimize forage production while respecting the principles of agro-ecology.

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