Switch Equine was founded by Laura, a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) with a passion for ecological restoration and animal welfare. With years of expertise in sustainable land management, Laura’s mission is to combine holistic equine management with environmental sustainability to create healthier ecosystems for both horses and the land.
Switch Equine is a sister company to Switch Ecology, founded by Laura’s husband, Steven. Together, they are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices that support both the environment and animal welfare, making their shared vision a reality.
laura’s story: from a childhood affinity to a life’s work in equine and environmental Care
Laura’s love for horses began early in life. Growing up in a non-horsey family, she was captivated by the horses at the local mounted police yard, where she spent time with her father as a child. Even as a baby in her pram, the sight of these magnificent animals brought her comfort and peace.
At six years old, Laura’s parents decided to give her a riding lesson for her birthday, unknowingly setting the stage for a lifelong passion. That first ride was just the beginning, and before long, Laura was spending her weekends and school holidays working on the yard in exchange for riding and handling lessons from the yard owner and instructors. Inspired by the horses and their care, she was encouraged to channel her thirst for knowledge into something more than just mucking out stables. So, she pursued degrees in zoology, evolutionary biology, and behavioural science, where she developed a deep understanding of the natural world, an understanding of animal interactions and broader ecological contexts.
After completing her studies, Laura worked as a research assistant at the University of Exeter, studying species interactions under varying environmental conditions. Her career continued as an ecological and environmental consultant, advising on sustainable practices and natural capital assessments for large projects. Through her work, Laura promoted the transition to regenerative agriculture, yet was surprised to see little attention given to equine management practices outside the realm of conservation.
Although horses had been a central part of her life, they took a back seat during her academic journey. It wasn’t until later, when Laura decided to reconnect with the equestrian world, that her path led her back to horses. She started by loaning a horse from her old yard and then, with determination and a bit of luck, purchased her first horse, Oisin. Though initially labeled as a ‘challenging’ and ‘dangerous’ horse, Laura’s refusal to give up on him sparked her journey of learning how to address his behavioural issues and provide him with the fulfilling life he deserved. Laura’s commitment to Oisin led her to explore behavioural management and holistic equine care, which would shape her approach to horse welfare moving forward.
To provide Oisin with the best care, Laura and Steven made a significant decision: they purchased a smallholding in North Wales to bring Oisin home, and adopt two more horses, Django and Jake. This move marked the beginning of Switch Equine. With patience and care, all horses showed a remarkable transformation, with improved health both mentally and physically. Together, these horses formed the heart of Laura’s vision for a sustainable equine management system.
To learn more about Oisin, Django, Jake, and the other animals on the smallholding, and to follow their progress, check out our full stories and updates here.
our philosophy: practice what we preach
At Switch Equine, we firmly believe in walking the talk. Our work on our smallholding in North Wales serves as a living example of how sustainable horse management can support environmental recovery. We trial innovative ideas and regenerative land management techniques to demonstrate that horse care and nature conservation can go hand in hand.
By applying scientific principles to our holistic horse management approach, we aim to show others that supporting nature while caring for horses is not only possible but beneficial. Our real-world testing means you can skip the trial and error phase, taking a proven path to success in your own equine and land projects.
Whether you're a landowner, farmer, or livery yard operator, we’re here to help you build sustainable, thriving environments for both horses and the planet.
why choose switch equine?
At Switch Equine, we take pride in offering a combination of expert knowledge and hands-on experience in both equine management and environmental sustainability. Whether you’re looking to improve your land’s health, create a track system/paddock paradise, implement regenerative farming practices, lead a rewilding project or need guidance on equine care, we’re here to support you with tailored, sustainable solutions.
qualifications
- Highfield Certificate - Essential Equine Nutrition
- PgCert - Equine Science from University of Edinburgh (The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies)
- MRes - Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology from University of Liverpool
- BSc (hons) - Zoology from University of Leeds
professional memberships
- Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) with Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Managers and Society for the Environment
- Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Managers
continued professional development
- Equidemia Masterclass, The Trainer Training Course: 'This training bridges the gap between high-calibre university knowledge and the practical side of equine life'
- Equitopia, How to Recognize the 24 Behaviours indicating Pain in the Ridden Horse: 'This training allows recognises the early signs of pain related issues, and compensatory patterns, so that you can address it before it becomes chronic, from Internationally recognized lameness Veterinarian, researcher and lecturer, Dr. Sue Dyson'
- Thirza Hendricks, Equine Breathwork: 'This training recognises that breathe is life, covering everything from overall functioning, athletic capacity but also our horses ability to regulate stress'
- Equine Studies, Passive Physio: 'This training delves deeper into the physical and mental support of their horse during the other 23 hours of the day that we are not actively training with them'
- Equine Studies, Body Basics: 'This training teaches us how to observe horses in their own environment, to recognise patterns to identify strong and weak points which can then be addressed through management or training'
- Soil Food Web, Essentials: 'This training explores the new research into soil and practical land management practices'
- Henbant, Becoming a Regenerative Farmer: 'The most holistic, thorough and in depth regenerative agriculture training available in the UK'
- among various other webinars, lectures, workshops and dissections!