Pasture Maintenance

With the arrival of summer, now is the best time to address the needs of your pasture, set your goals, and make a plan for not only the summer (which should have been done last fall!), but for the fall, winter and next spring.

Regardless of the season, pastures should be inspected often, checking for broken boards, to identify any toxic weed or plant, to pick up trash and to monitor the health of the grass.

Scouting pastures often is the foundation for a sound pasture management program!

First, a little biology lesson! Grasses produce a seed head, which is necessary for reproducing, and the net movement of energy is up. Once a seed head forms, it moves from the reproductive state to a vegetative state, and the net movement of energy is down. Plants want to store enough energy in the base or roots to survive winter. Now is a good time to mow, because once the seed heads develop, the quality is low. Removing the stem and seed head will help stimulate new growth, which will be in the form of leave. The leaves will be of high quality for grazing, and they will aid in capturing the sunlight, which provides energy for the plant.

Grass should never be mowed or grazed under 3-4 inches in height. Remove horses when the grass is short, to allow the pasture time to recover. If they are not allowed to recover, especially before winter, they will not recover and weeds will take over.

Pastures should be scrutinized for weeds. Identify the number, the location, and the type of weeds present. Note the dominate species. Weed management should focus on controlling the dominate species, while preventing the spread of the less common weeds.

While grass can be difficult to grow in some regions, this is no excuse to allow weeds to take over! Horses should be turned out on areas that are free of weeds, trash, and holes. If grass is inadequate, weeds should be kept away. It not only looks better, but it is safer for the horse.

People are often surprised to learn that they have access to free to low-cost services from their state which will aid in pasture management. Most states have either a county extension office, or a soil and water conservation district office, which will provide you will a report regarding your soil, grass, and weeds, and they will help you to develop a plan for maintaining your pastures! They will identify the types of weeds you have growing, determine whether or not you need lime added (which only needs to be applied once every 3 years), what type of fertilizer to use, as well as the best herbicide to use. They will walk your property and point out any toxic plants, help you decide what grass seed is best to use, and test your soil. This service is invaluable to farm owners! Farm owners should develop a good relationship with their agent. I frequently call or text my agent, usually with a question regarding a weed!

Identifying weeds is the first step in weed control, then you must practice weed control. Weeds can be transported via hay, grass seed (purchase seed which is certified as weed-free), the wind, spreading manure, and water.

Weed control is accomplished by mowing, hand pulling or the use of herbicides. If using herbicides, they must be applied at the correct time of the year and must be the right herbicide for the weed. In addition, some grasses will not tolerate certain herbicides. For example, Argentine Bahiagrass will not tolerate Roundup (which in my opinion should never be used) while Pensacola Bahiagrass cannot be sprayed with metsulfuron- containing products, such as Cimmaron. Weather conditions will also affect the potential for herbicide injury to grass as well as the rate applied. Care must be taken to keep runoff from water supplies, and most herbicides require horses be kept off the pasture for a specified length of time.

It is important to note that weeds are not the issue: they are a symptom. They are a sign of underlying problems that need to be addressed. Once weeds are under control and pastures are fertilized, established perennial grass will help to prevent weeds from becoming a problem.

If you are spreading manure on your pastures, you are increasing the chances for weeds. Spreading composted manure is the better option, as it will deliver a nutrient-rich organic material that will be free of potential weeds, parasites and odor.

Things to consider when planning your pasture program:

• Determine the species of grass that can be grown in your area, depending on climate and soil

• Take into account the drainage

• What is the growing season and peak demand for quantity and nutritional value

• Will the pasture be used for grazing or to produce hay? Will it be used as a primary source of fiber?

• Consider the level of management required to produce optimum pasture production

• Mixing different grasses and over-seeding can extend your grazing season. Offering a variety of grasses will help build a stronger gut, which will be better able to withstand small amounts of toxins. By seeding with a mixture of grasses, you will develop a more durable pasture for grazing. (for example, where I am in north Central Florida, I plant in the summer with a mixture of Pensacola and Bahia grasses, Bermuda grass and summer rye or milllet. I am also about to experiment with adding crabgrass….yes, crabgrass! It is said to be hardy and very palatable to horses!)

• Never plant Sorghum or Sudangrass hybrids due to prussic acid poisoning

Rotating pastures is essential for pasture health. Once the grass drops below 3-4 inches, it is time to give that pasture a break.

It is best to address pasture management in the fall, especially in the north, when the growing season is over. Horses are usually removed from the fields, allowing the pastures to rest. Once you have had a hard freeze, the growing season is over and regrowth will not occur until spring. Temperatures under 28 degrees for several hours will elevate the sugar levels in the grass, thereby increasing the risk of founder and colic. Remove horses from the grass after a freeze, especially if the height is under 4” until temperatures have resumed above the freezing level for at least one week. It is also important to note that frost-damaged leaves from known toxic trees such as red maples and cherry are at their greatest risk of causing poison, therefore, avoid those areas for 30 days.

Goals of Good Pasture Management:

• Establish a decent grazing period throughout the year

• Minimize infection from internal parasites

• Eliminate toxic and noxious weeds

• Prevent overgrazing

• Remove seed heads

• Rest periods

By establishing a pasture journal, you can keep track of your pasture management plan from year to year. Note what seeds were planted and when. Note weather conditions and the results. How long were horses turned out for? Did you rotate and for how long? What was the rainfall? What fertilizers and herbicides did you use? What was the weed status? Under control or excessive? Include a map of the grazing area and note areas that were over grazed, under-utilized, excessively wet, or full of weeds. It’s a good idea to include photos. By creating a pasture journal, you can keep track of your progress from year to year and adjust your pasture management plans based upon your results.

In my next blog, I will finish up the pasture management series with a list of plants, shrubs and trees which are toxic to horses.

Don’t forget to hug your horse!

Lori