This year, we are grazing more than 60 Polish Koniks on two areas intended for waders near Gródek, each about 30 hectares in size. The animals are owned by our association.
We started transporting the Koniks to the meadows in mid-July to prevent trampling of chicks with their hooves. Throughout the summer, we increased the herd until reaching the current number of hoofed animals.
In Trześcianka, we have more than 70 horses owned by a breeder from the Suwałki area.
The presence of these animals on the plots means better habitats for birds and lower costs associated with mowing the meadows. A kind of an added advantage. However, we need to securely fence all the plots and hire shepherds who check the condition of the Koniks and the pastures daily.
For us, grazing involves organizing transportation, loading animals onto trailers, providing medical care throughout the year, moving them between sections, and performing maintenance procedures such as hoof trimming, administering medication, and cleaning abrasions.
We learn how to handle horses through training sessions, which we organize for field and office workers, as well as volunteers. This helps improve our work and reduce stress for the animals.
The training was conducted by Patryk Maciąg Horsemanship. Thank you!
Wesja Polska