Your Spring Chore Check List

Somehow, it is March already, which means spring is right around the corner for most of us! Some may already be experiencing warmer temperatures, while others will have to wait a few more months.

Regardless of where you live, now is an excellent time to start thinking about your spring barn and pasture maintenance program!

Spring Pasture Maintenance:

• Once the grass has grown to a minimum of 5”, gradually introduce horses back onto your pastures, especially horses, ponies, and donkeys with metabolic disorders. The spring grasses contain the highest levels of sugars, starch, and fructans (non-structural carbohydrates or NSC), which can trigger laminitis. Fifteen minutes a day of grazing is an excellent place to start, increasing their turnout time daily.

•  Contact your local state extension agent for a good walk around your property, search for toxic weeds and plants that may have popped up, have your soil tested, and devise a plan for applying fertilizer and herbicides. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lime are all products that may need to be added to your pastures.

•  Nitrogen should be applied in the spring to help jump-start grass growth. Your fields may require more nitrogen than what is contained in your fertilizer. Typically, nitrogen is applied in April and can be applied annually.

•  Phosphorus and potassium can be applied anytime after the first grazing but no later than June. They can be applied annually.

• Lime can be applied at any time of the year but should only be applied every three years, not annually. Lime takes 6-12 months to react in the soil, so plan accordingly if you are reseeding and apply it 6-12 months before.

•  Not all pastures will require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or lime, so checking your soil before needlessly applying any of these is essential.

• If pastures contain more weeds than grass, now is the time to reduce the weeds, whether by applying herbicides, hand pulling, or mowing.

• Seeding should be done as the rainy season is beginning. Seed with grasses indigenous to your area and consider shade and the sunlight your pastures will receive daily. Applying seed without soil testing is a waste of money.

• If pastures contain less than 50% of desirable grazing grass, it may be best to start over and reestablish your pastures; otherwise, overseeding by adding new seed to the existing pasture is the recommended course of action for pastures with more than 50% grass.

• Prepare pastures for seeding by mowing the pastures short to prevent the taller grass from shading out the new seeds. Pastures can also be tilled, particularly if you are starting over. The seeding will depend upon your climate but should be done while temperatures are still cool at night. Typically, seeding is started in April and finished by late May. The longer horses can stay off of newly seeded pastures, the better they will be able to withstand grazing and hoofs. Six months to a year is optimum.

•  Pastures should be mowed often. Regular mowing before grass goes to seed will encourage plants to replace leaves instead. Mowing will also help control weeds. Grass should never be cut under 3” as this damages the grass and prolongs the recovery time.

• Remove tree debris from fields.

• Inspect fencing and look for holes.

• Once pastures have been restored, grazing can resume. Rotating pastures is the optimum situation, moving horses off the grass when it is down to 4-5 inches in height.

Spring Barn Maintenance:

• Check electrical wiring for rodent damage.

• Clean fans before operating (Be sure not to use box fans, which are fire hazards. Only outdoor-rated fans with enclosed motors should be in barns!)

• Clear cobwebs from barn ceiling and rafters (They are a fire hazard!)

• Make sure that well-traveled paths and walkways are ready for rain and mud. Add gravel or other well-draining material.

• Check that the plumbing is in good order.

• Replace troughs that may have cracked from the freezing winter temperatures.

• Clean gutters.

• Inspect smoke and heat detectors. Replace batteries.

• Inspect fire extinguishers.

• Restock first aid kit.

• Inspect footing in arenas.

Congratulations to the United States Pony Club for celebrating its 70th anniversary! Pony Club produces riders who are on the right track to common sense horse keeping!