"Horse
Pasture Management"
by, Dave Robison
Forage & Turf Agronomist, Ampac Seed
Company
Horses . . . mighty, powerful,
majestic beasts of beauty. Although we picture a robust stallion or a brood mare in a lush
green pasture, such a backdrop isn’t reality for many, if not most horse owners. Most
horse pastures are far less than lush. However, establishing and maintaining productive
pastures isn’t a difficult process. By following a few simple steps, most pastures
can become lush, green, and quite productive.
The average horse needs about
two acres of good pasture for grazing (that’s per horse). So, if you own five horses,
you will need ten acres of pasture to adequately take care of their needs. If grazing is
not available, the average horse goes through about 17 pounds of forage per day (3 flakes
of hay), or over 6,000 pounds of hay/forage per year. One acre of productive grass could
easily produce that amount of forage. But, on a short, thin pasture it may take 12-15
acres to produce 6,000 pounds of forage.
Management Step #1: Fertilize
A pasture can become
very productive if the plants are fed. When comparing feed costs to maintaining a fertile,
productive pasture, a few dollars spent on soil nutrients is a wise investment. Your
cheapest feed is under your horse’s hooves.
 Before fertilizing, have soil samples taken to determine the pH
of the soil and the levels of phosphorous and potassium. (Note: Some horses are prone
to a genetic condition called HYPP, which is triggered by potassium excess. Other
conditions may be caused by soil imbalances as well.) Have a reputable fertilizer
dealer or extension agent evaluate your soil samples and recommend the best fertilizer for
your pastures. Since horse pastures consist mainly of grasses, nitrogen applications will
be very helpful. Generally it is best to apply up to 150 lbs. of nitrogen over three
applications. For most regions this means 50 lbs. of N. in early spring, again in late May
or early June, and finally again in September. Also, early December is an excellent time
for a late fall application to stimulate tillering. It is one of the best treatments for
an overgrazed pasture. Fertilizer applications will ensure ample grass production all
season long, keeping your pastures healthy and prolific.
Management Step #2: Practice Rotational
Grazing
 Every pasture needs
a break to re-grow, recover, and be fertilized. This can be accomplished easily by
breaking a pasture into two or more sub-pastures, using either temporary or permanent
fencing. Ideally, horses should be rotated from one pasture to another when the pasture is
grazed down 3-4 inches and the next pasture has grown to at least 6-8 inches. In the
spring there may be too much forage growing for the horses to keep up with. If so, the
number of acres being grazed needs to be reduced, made into hay, or mowed off. In
contrast, summer rotations will be longer, and supplemental hay feeding may be needed. The
more a pasture can be divided, the easier it will be to manage. Portable fencing can be
very helpful for pasture subdivisions.
Management Step #3: Keep the Pasture
Clipped
Even if you are managing your pasture well,
you may still have times when the pasture gets too long, or certain plants remain uneaten.
Not only do horses have a “close nipping” eating habit, but they are also very
selective of what and where they graze. This causes some of the pasture to be overgrazed,
while the rest is under-grazed. Keeping the pasture clipped will help reduce this problem
and keep the whole pasture in the vegetative, edible stage. Use the easiest, most
efficient way available to mow down the tall grass, weeds, and undesirable plants. Spot
spraying with a selective herbicide can also be helpful for weed control.
Management Step #4: Overseed When
Applicable
Even good pastures thin out over time. New seed
should be added annually to ensure that your pastures produce good grass. Existing grasses
may re-seed themselves, but they probably won’t be the ones you, or your horses are
looking for. Naturally, the weeds will easily re-seed and spread. Don’t wait until
the weeds take over. Be proactive and regularly add quality forage seeds.
The best time to overseed is
either fall or spring. Fall is preferable because the weed pressure will be less. Ideally
you should “scratch” or disturb the surface enough to ensure good seed-to-soil
contact. Sometimes spring is too muddy to harrow or let animals trample “hoof
seed.”
In parts of the country where
the ground freezes, a simple way to add new plants to your pasture is to “frost
seed.” This is accomplished by overseeding when the frost is still on the ground
(usually in early March). All you’ll need is a broadcast spreader and seed. Red and
Ladino clovers and some grasses (especially ryegrasses) are well adapted to this practice.
(Note: Avoid using Alsike Clover. It has caused horses to die from “Dew Poisoning.”) Cool, wet spring
conditions will allow for germination and growth of the seed.
A newly treated pasture
must be handled carefully. The seedlings will not tolerate grazing until approximately six
weeks after they have emerged. When choosing seed for new pastures or for renovating
existing pastures, always choose an improved, endophyte-free and alkaloid-free variety.
When selecting your seed species, research web sites like www.pastureperfect.com to find out what species
and varieties will work best for you. University forage experts, extension agents, and
vendors can also be very helpful. Mixes like Pasture Perfect Renovator Special®
from Ampac Seed Company were formulated especially for this purpose.
Horses are tough on
pastures, but with proper management, basic “horse-sense,” and patience, you can
enjoy a successful and productive horse pasture. Horses are beautiful animals, and even
more so when they are grazing in lush beautiful pastures.
For more information on pastures, pasture management, and seed, visit www.pastureperfect.com
Written by Dave Robison, Forage and Turf
Agronomist
Copyright© 2000 Ampac Seed Company, www.ampacseed.com
Reprinted with permission by PENZANCE EQUINE SOLUTIONS, 2000 |
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