Comparing the effects of horse grazing alone or with cattle on horse parasitism and vegetation use in a mesophile pasture

Mixing different herbivore species is assumed to increase vegetation use because of the complementarity their feeding choices and reduce animal parasite burden through dilution effect. Here, we compare effects mixed horse-cattle grazing monospecific horse (1.4 LU/ha) on foraging behaviour, sward characteristics parasitism in a mesophile grassland central France. In both treatments, animals were stocked alternately two subplots with rotation lengths between 15 21 days according season. The horses quickly acclimated cattle, very few agonistic interactions observed them. All selected short (≤4 cm) intermediate (5–8 high-quality regrowths avoided reproductive dead herbage areas contaminated by faeces as consequence latrine behaviour. Cattle, which are more constrained plant height, tall vegetative swards. However, alternate stocking also provided them regrowth shortest patches. Consequently, cattle used these patches proportionally availability while avoiding areas. We assume this limited consumption infective cyathostome larvae, concentrated close dung. Moreover, co-grazing did not structural heterogeneity thus enhance overall quality. conclude that rather than considering turn-key solution, its management needs be adapted support dietary provide expected benefits multi-species grazing.