Greener Pastures – Is the Grass Growing Safe for your Horse?

Articles on Horses | Topics: horses, horse, equestrian

by Virini Zimmerman

Greener Pastures – Is the Grass Growing Safe for your Horse?

When it comes to greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? What a thought. Who would ever think the grass growing in your pasture could ever harm your horse?

Horses have a very simple, single stomach and the grass they eat has to be highly digestible, and of high quality. When it comes to greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? You should have no questions about this. To eliminate your questions, you first need to have your pasture grass analyzed by a professional.

After your pasture is analyzed, you may need to improve your pasture, or merely change your pasture management plan to keep it healthy for your horse.

How many horses do you have? Do you have enough acreage to pasture all your horses? If pasture is your sole source of feed for your horse, you will have to have your pastures nutritional content checked.

Some grasses have a second season of growth in the fall months. This is especially helpful to lengthen your grass feeding months. These grasses frequently drop off in nutritional value in the middle of summer, regaining their nutrients during the second growing cycle.

Nutrient contents will vary by location and geographical region. Soil type, and the acidity of the soil, all play roles in the nutritional value of your pasture. Alfalfa is an excellent legume to add to your grass pasture. Most horses tolerate alfalfa well, and it will help maintain their nutritional needs.

Bit of History

General statements omit what we really want to know. Example: “Some horses run faster than others.”

—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

Clover is another legume that the older generation of horsemen favor. Many of your grandfathers, and their grandfathers fed nothing but clover to their working horses. Keep in mind these were working horses. They were used and worked every day except Sunday. To feed this kind of hay to Old Red who spends most of his days in the pasture, or to even make his pasture rich with alfalfa or clover, would be detrimental to him.

Maybe you want or need to establish a new pasture, but your land has always been in crops. Will this be a permanent pasture? The next question you need to ask yourself, is what kind of grass do you want? Native grasses, in good soil, will fulfill most of your horse's nutritional requirements. With native grasses, you won't stand there and ask yourself even though you have greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? Your UW Extension office will be more than happy to assist with a plan to plant grasses or legumes or a mix that is appropriate for your horse, and for your soil type.

When you get your pasture planned out on paper, it's time for your soil test. By doing a soil test, you can determine what nutrients you need to add to the soil for optimal growth of your new pasture. Levels of phosphorus and nitrogen need to be determined and adjusted as necessary. Phosphorus is a key nutrient when it comes to getting pastures established.

Most typically, you don't want a weedy pasture. Therefore it's especially important to prepare your planting area so as to establish successful grass pasture within the shortest amount of time. You should be prepping your planting area, as early in the spring as spring conditions will allow. You all know how Mother Nature works, and you will have to just work with her.

After you have done your seeded preparation, you will be seeding your plot. If you choose, you can seed in the fall, be sure though, that there is no chance of germination yet that fall. This will give you a jump on spring, and you won't be at the mercy of the weather.

Seeding should be anywhere from 1/4 to 3/4 inches deep. Not any deeper than that. Seeding rates will be listed on the seed bag, or can be obtained from your local mill. Have you made your grass choice? Some swear by timothy and brome grass. Still, others swear by Kentucky bluegrass. Whichever one you choose is up to you. There are many varieties, and you can even have your own special mix made up at your feed mill. You will feel better than knowing you won't be asking yourself when it comes to your greener pasture-is the grass growing safe for your horse?

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Greener Pastures – Is the Grass Growing Safe for your Horse?" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by DogsPetsCats.com.

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