FRIENDS, FORAGE & FREEDOM

At Tarcombe, the welfare of all our animals is paramount. Whether it’s our Welsh Ponies, Fjord Horses, goats, or chickens, we believe in giving them the space, companionship, and natural environment they need to thrive. By keeping our animals in groups within large paddocks or free-ranging areas, we enable them to engage in species-specific behaviors that are essential for their physical and mental well-being.

Allowing our horses, goats, and chickens to live in environments that closely mirror their natural social structures promotes behaviors like grooming, play, foraging, and grazing. For our horses, living in herds teaches young foals essential social skills, while goats and chickens benefit from the same group dynamic, learning from each other and enjoying the freedom to forage and explore.

Herd and flock life significantly enhances the mental well-being of our animals. Isolation can lead to stress and boredom, causing behavioral issues and stress-related illnesses. In contrast, living in groups provides constant companionship and mental stimulation, whether it’s our ponies playing together, goats learning from their herd, or chickens scratching and foraging as a flock.

Physically, our animals benefit from the freedom of movement, which supports their health and fitness. For our easy-keeping Fjord Horses, regular exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight, while our goats and free-ranging chickens stay active by foraging and roaming naturally. This holistic approach to animal welfare reinforces our commitment to creating a healthy and enriching environment for all our animals.

LAND MANAGEMENT

At Tarcombe, we’ve transformed our paddocks from compact, weedy expanses with little grass into thriving pastures rich in native grasses. Before moving our horses onto the property, we sowed a carefully selected mix of native species, including:

Our mix includes:

• Microlaena Stipoides var. Burra (Burra Weeping Grass)
• Dichanthium sericeum (Queensland Bluegrass)
• Anthosachne scabra (Native Wheatgrass)
• Rytidosperma (Wallaby Grass)
• Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass)
• Paspalidium Distans (Warrego Summer Grass)
• Bothriochloa macra (Red Grass)
• Brachiaria Milliformis (Arm Grass Millet)

Our commitment to regenerative farming principles is central to how we manage the land. By rotating our herds across different paddocks, we give each area time to recover and regenerate. This approach not only enhances soil health and biodiversity but also ensures that our horses enjoy fresh, nutritious forage. Rotational grazing helps maintain the vitality of our pastures, creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly system.

We use the Equicentral System for our paddock setup, with a central loafing yard surrounded by paddocks that extend outwards. This allows for easy rotation, keeping the pastures rested and the horses in optimal health. We also have a track system around the main paddocks, which keeps the herds moving when pastures are not suitable for grazing, such as during the summer dry, wet weather, or when the lush spring grass comes through.

While we regularly poo pick to manage the paddocks, we allow time for dung beetles to do their work, promoting healthy soil ecosystems. Composting horse manure, which is then spread on resting paddocks, adds vital nutrients, boosts the mulch layer, and contributes to the soil microbiome. Additionally, our large worm farms produce “worm tea,” which we spray on the paddocks to further enrich the soil.

Over time, this holistic approach will enhance biodiversity in our native grass pastures, reducing unwanted weeds and significantly lowering our hay costs—a win for both the environment and the farm’s sustainability.