Holistic Management for Horse Properties Part 5: Pasture Management

Overgrazing and over-resting pastures are common problems on horse properties, which may result in ‘horse sick’ pastures with poor quality grasses, accumulation of weeds, compacted and eroded soils, salinity and populations of parasites. Moreover, overgrazing can also trigger the accumulation of Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) in grasses, which puts horses at risk of developing digestive and metabolic disorders such as acidosis and laminitis.

This means that when we keep horses in captivity we must aim to mimic this natural migrating and foraging process and therefore we must manage and plan the movement of our horses.  If they are left in any one place too long, or if they returned to it too soon, they will overgraze plants and compact and pulverise the soils. Many horse owners will use a rotation system if they have multiple paddocks available for their horses, however generally the management and rotations are done randomly without an actual plan.

A proper grazing plan is important for maintaining healthy pastures and by using the principles of the Holistic Grazing Planning as described in “Holistic Management – A new Framework for Decision Making” we are able to get a clearer picture of where horses need to be and when, and this determines how you plan their moves.  The Holistic Grazing Planning procedure was featured in the previous edition.

Without correct management this will result in overgrazing of grasses.  To be able to provide sufficient amounts of grass to meet the dietary needs of your horses and avoid overgrazing or over-resting the grasses in your paddocks, you must develop a proper grazing plan. However, to be able to apply the plan we need adequate knowledge on how grasses and legumes grow and leaf management.  This will provide us with a clearer picture of where horses need to be and when, and this determines how you plan their moves.

Read more about grass growth & development in the latest edition of the Horses & People Magazine!