Sward patchiness induced by grazing horses is more important than region and management for vegetation diversity and forage nutritive value

Grassland biodiversity and forage nutritive value are influenced by pedoclimatic conditions (e.g., soil nutrients, precipitation), management practices (e.g., mowing, grazing), and animal grazing behaviour shaping the sward botanical composition and structure. Horses, in particular, affect sward structure through selective foraging, short biting, trampling, and toileting, resulting in a patchy vegetation pattern on pastures. However, the relative importance of pedoclimatic and management factors