MB Equine Services

MB Equine Services Dr. Mariette van den Berg: Equine Nutrition- Integrated Horse Property Design - Regenerative Pasture Management - Equitation/Dressage Coaching & Training

Dr. Mariette van den Berg is an equine nutrition expert, dressage rider, coach and judge who completed a MSc. in Animal Science and a thesis in Equine Nutrition at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands. She is founder of MB Equine Services, an education and research business that offers specialised consulting services in integrated equine nutrition, horse property design and pasture managem

ent. Mariette recently completed her PhD in equine nutrition and behaviour at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia. She has been a frequent guest lecturer and conference speaker at various national and international events and symposium including the Australian Horse Keeping Conference, Equitana Melbourne and Michigan State University. EQUINE NUTRITION | PROPERTY & PASTURE | EQUITATION

An integrated approach to horse's health & performance

MB Equine Services assist the equine industry and horse owners with professional and practical information about horse nutrition, management, (forage) enrichment and slow feeding. The consultancy is specialised in integrated horse property design and regenerative pasture management for horses (and other livestock) and provides education in sustainable horse management. In addition to the core consultancy services, MB Equine Services also provides professional sport coaching and training services. The involvement in the equestrian sport, coaching and officiating adds a sport vision and understanding to the equine nutrition, property design and pasture management consulting. MB Equine Services is a member of the Nutrition Society of Australia and Registered Animal Nutritionist

🐴🔥Willinga Park’s approach to bush fire ready!Major weather events and natural disasters are a part of living on this ea...
07/02/2022

🐴🔥Willinga Park’s approach to bush fire ready!

Major weather events and natural disasters are a part of living on this earth. Adding climate change to the mix, these may become more intense and frequent and are difficult to predict and impossible to stop. However, there is much we can do to limit the damage and loss of life if they occur, and strategies that give your land and vegetation the resilience to ‘bounce back’ faster. The key is in how we respond to these challenges - and in the context of managing our properties - how well we have planned and prepared for when they do occur.

As part of a new educational bundle series in collaboration with Horses and People Magazine🐴, we will explore the regenerative strategies guided by natural systems that you can put to work on your horse property. A long-term plan and a desire to see your horses healthy and happy are all the motivation you need to build your land’s resilience in the face of more frequent and possible extreme earth🌏, water💦, air🌬, and fire🔥 related events.

So stay turned for this exciting release!

In preparing of this launch, we release this free article as part of the bushfire chapter!

MB Equine services connect with Willinga Park’s founder Terry Snow to hear more about his award-winning equestrian establishment; how it was developed, and specifically what plans and actions are put in place to prepare for any of such natural disasters – noting the recent bushfires in 2019-2020 and the media coverage and report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements on how Willinga Park blocked the fire run and protected the local town, Bawley Point, from a major fire disaster.

Bushfire preparedness at Willinga Par effectively stopped the catastrophic Currowan Fire, protecting the nearby town of Bawley Point.

Our latest three part series on dietary supplements for horses is featuring in the World Breeding News Magazine! Similar...
23/06/2021

Our latest three part series on dietary supplements for horses is featuring in the World Breeding News Magazine!

Similar to the trends observed in human health, the dietary supplements market for horses has grown significantly over the last 25 years. This has resulted in an overwhelming array of supplements available to horse owners/caregivers. Just visit your local horse store, flick through any horse magazine or scrolling through your social media and you will find a number of advertisements for equine supplements.

Dietary supplements for both humans and horses typically fall into three major categories, as to why people may want to use them; 1) as an aid in the prevention of deficiency – minerals, vitamins, electrolytes; 2) to improve performance – blood tonics, calming agents and; 3) to mitigate health issues - joint supplements, muscle supplements.

Part 1 and 2 focusses on the role of minerals and vitamins. In the upcoming July edition you can read the latest news on Joint supplements. For more info check out https://breedingnews.com/

Horses are hindgut-fermenting herbivores adapted to eating a plant-based diet high in fiber.  Although horses are consid...
28/12/2020

Horses are hindgut-fermenting herbivores adapted to eating a plant-based diet high in fiber. Although horses are considered as primarily grazers, depending on the seasonal feed availability and selection, horses can also be categorised as mixed feeders browsing various herbaceous, woody and water plant even eating fruits and flowers.
Under most circumstances, horses will avoid consuming toxic amounts of poisonous plants. Grazing animals use several behavioural and physiological strategies or adaptations to reduce the risk of poisoning. There are at least 6 strategies by which animals can avoid or reduce toxicity from plants:
(1) avoid or reduce toxin intake through changes in diet selection;
(2) select a mixed diet to dilute the effect of specific toxins;
(3) consume a toxin in a cyclic or intermittent fashion to avoid permanent injury;
(4) eject a toxin once eaten;
(5) complex, degrade, or detoxify the toxin; and
(6) tolerate the toxin once eaten.
These categories are not mutually exclusive as there is substantial overlap. In general the first 3 strategies involve reducing or eliminating consumption of a toxin through behavioural changes, whereas the last 3 strategies deal primarily with how animals handle toxins internally when consumed. Because horses are monogastric animals, their tolerance for plant toxins is lower compared to that of cattle (ruminants).
In addition, some poisonous plants are palatable to horses and some need only be consumed in very small amounts to cause poisoning. Horses may choose to eat poisonous plants when there is little alternative forage. Also, seasonal conditions may influence the toxicity levels of certain plants, making them more toxic at various times of the year.
Therefore getting to know some of the plants in Australia that should be watched and avoided is important. For more information on poisonous plant species for horses check out this RIRDC publication

Plants Poisonous to Horses An Australian Field Guide Download PDF Many plants that grow in Australia are potentially poisonous to horses. Such plants can cause considerable economic and welfare problems for horse owners. Under most circumstances, horses will avoid consuming toxic amounts of poisonou...

Upcoming Webinar: MANAGING & COMPOSTING HORSE MANURE (last one for the year!)Hosted by: North East & Surrounds Equine La...
08/12/2020

Upcoming Webinar: MANAGING & COMPOSTING HORSE MANURE (last one for the year!)

Hosted by: North East & Surrounds Equine Landcare (NESEL)
When: WHEN? 9th December 2020 at 7:00pm

Click the link below to reserve your spot!
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=679644&

What you will learn:
✅ Importance of managing manure
✅ Benefits of composting: waste management, soil building and pasture regeneration
✅ Soil Biology
✅ Composting techniques: passive and hot/turning composting
✅ Troubleshooting compost pile problems
✅ Application of compost
🙌 Q&A session

Join North East & Surrounds Equine Landcare with special presenter Dr Mariette van den Berg for a webinar exploring managing and composting horse manure. Topics include: -Importance of managing manure -Benefits of composting: waste management, soil building and pasture regeneration -Soil Biology -Co...

UPCOMING WEBINAR TONIGHT! ***Hosted by Cardina Council VICDate: Wednesday 18 NovemberTime: 7pm (VIC)Registration require...
18/11/2020

UPCOMING WEBINAR TONIGHT! ***
Hosted by Cardina Council VIC
Date: Wednesday 18 November
Time: 7pm (VIC)
Registration required: www.trybooking.com/669587

This webinar is designed to support horse property owners with information on:
• Rain water run off and infiltration on properties
• Mud and related health problems for horses
• 10 ways to manage run-off and mud on your property
• Q&A session

The November-December Horses and People Magazine is out! In this edition you find our last part 4 on the pasture series ...
18/11/2020

The November-December Horses and People Magazine is out!

In this edition you find our last part 4 on the pasture series - focusing on Native grasses. PLUS an additional bonus article on the importance of leaf management and rotational management! Get your copy and have a cuppa☕️

At newsagents all over Australia or order a hard copy online: https://horsesandpeople.com.au/shop/
If you prefer the digital magazine: https://www.zinio.com/au/horses-and-people-m7261

UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR!!Herb Gardens & Hedgerows for HorsesBy Dr Mariette van den Berg WHEN? 25th November 2020 at 7:00pm...
18/11/2020

UPCOMING FREE WEBINAR!!
Herb Gardens & Hedgerows for Horses
By Dr Mariette van den Berg
WHEN? 25th November 2020 at 7:00pm
Click the link below to reserve your spot!
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=679637&fbclid=IwAR0CLVyi6kkCbzcgGXX0KnWu18iGsbxC-899LQyQ-EhREdi14UT7LcmIglQ

You don't want to miss this one, Dr Mariette van den Berg is a wealth of knowledge and will touch on some amazing and must know topics for horse owners!

HERB GARDENS & HEDGEROWS FOR HORSES
What you will learn:
✔️Integration of herb gardens and hedgerows on horse properties
✔️Nutrient values Vs medicinal claims
✔️Fresh Vs Drying - stimulate the forager
✔️10 common herb plants for use in horse diets or foraging
✔️Design & planting suggestions
✔️Drying & supplemental feeding
Don't worry if you can't make it to the webinar, become a NESEL member and you will have unlimited access to the replay.
Becoming a member is easy! Click the link below to fill out the online form and ensure you don't miss out on this webinar or any others hosted by NESEL.

Become a NESEL Member
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NESEL:
Website: https://www.landcarevic.org.au/groups/northeast/north-east-and-surrounds-equine-landcare/

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BECOME A NESEL MEMBER!
Did you love this event and want more? As a NESEL member you will gain access to more events just like this!

NESEL is an interest focused Landcare group that promotes and supports environmentally sustainable equine care and ownership. The group was formed in 2017 and is part of the Ovens Landcare network. It operates in north east Victoria, and holds events throughout the region and adjoining areas of New....

Upcoming Webinar: Managing run off and mud on horse properties Date: Wednesday 18 NovemberTime: 7pmRegistration required...
15/11/2020

Upcoming Webinar: Managing run off and mud on horse properties

Date: Wednesday 18 November
Time: 7pm
Registration required: www.trybooking.com/669587

Dr Mariette van den Berg has a passion for equine nutrition and equine permaculture. Founder of MB Equine Services, Mariette offers specialised consulting services in integrated equine nutrition, horse property design and pasture management. An accomplished researcher, Mariette completed her Bachelor Applied Animal Science in The Netherlands before continuing her studies in New Zealand and Australia, most recently completing her PhD in equine nutrition and foraging behaviour.

This webinar is designed to support horse property owners with information on:
• Mud and related health problems for horses
• 10 ways to manage run-off and mud on your property
• Rain water run off and infiltration on properties
• Q&A session

Dr Mariette van den Berg has a passion for equine nutrition and permaculture. Founder of MB Equine Services, Mariette offers specialised consulting services in integrated equine nutrition, horse property design and pasture management. This webinar will focus on; • Mud and health problems for horse...

All About Soil!In this exclusive Equine Permaculture article series, we have been ‘digging deeper into soils’ and explor...
11/03/2020

All About Soil!
In this exclusive Equine Permaculture article series, we have been ‘digging deeper into soils’ and explored what soils are, how soil is formed, the different types of soil and how they sustain life through the soil-food-web.

In Part Three, we described soil sampling and started to investigate some important parameters of soil health using DIY techniques. In this Part Four, we will continue with soil laboratory tests and how to interpret these results! Continue reading!

https://equinepermaculture.com/blog/2020/03/11/all-about-soil-part-4-lab-soil-tests/

***Horse & Property Owners - VICTORIA ***Upcoming - Regenerative Horse Property Design and Pasture Management Workshops ...
18/02/2020

***Horse & Property Owners - VICTORIA ***
Upcoming - Regenerative Horse Property Design and Pasture Management Workshops - Including onsite demo property visits

Dates: Saturday 28 March, 9.30am-5pm at Wandin East Hall
or Sunday 29 March, 9.30am-5pm at Tonimbuk Hall

The topics to be covered:
- Managing pastures and soil
- Soil health and soil-food-web
- Soil testing lab and DIY
- 8 ways to manage soil loss and compaction on horse properties
- Property planning process
- Designing horse paddocks
- Designing sacrifice areas (and laneways)
- Enrichment and forage feeding

Melbourne Waters & Landcare even sponspor onsite property consulations on Monday and Tuesday following the workshops in the Tonimbuk and Wandin area! Limited spots available so book your workshop and get on the lists for a onsite consultation!!
See details below

Book online: Wandin East at trybooking.com/BIFFL
or Tonimbuk Hall at trybooking.com/BIETW

Address

Armidale, NSW
2350

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61404849396

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