PASTURE PRODUCTION FOR HORSES productive pasture can be an inexpensive, high- quality source of feed for horses, while providing the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest. Not only will a poorly managed pasture supply lim- ited, low-quality feed, it will also be unattractive and could potentially cause health and nutritional problems. Select- ing the right forage, starting with a good stand, and man- aging the pasture properly are the elements of successful pasture production. A
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PASTURE PRODUCTION FOR HORSES - Tennessee … · Fertilize according to soil test, plant at the proper time, plant ... What pasture program is best? For most horse owners in Tennessee,
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PASTURE PRODUCTION
FOR HORSESproductive pasture can be an inexpensive, high-
quality source of feed for horses, while providing
the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and
rest. Not only will a poorly managed pasture supply lim-
ited, low-quality feed, it will also be unattractive and could
potentially cause health and nutritional problems. Select-
ing the right forage, starting with a good stand, and man-
aging the pasture properly are the elements of successful
pasture production.
A
How much acreage is needed?
If the pasture is expected to provide a majority of the diet,
approximately one to two acres are needed for each mature
horse.
What forage species should be used?
Grasses should be the primary forage in a pasture because
they tend to be more productive and persistent. The majority
of acres should be seeded to a cool-season perennial grass
such as tall fescue or orchardgrass. Bermudagrass can be
used in warmer areas of the state and can provide grazing
during the summer months.
What are cool-season grasses?
Cool-season grasses produce most of their growth during the
cooler times of the year. This is generally from March to
June and September to November. During the summer these
plants usually become dormant or die. Cool-season perenni-
als include tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy and Kentucky
bluegrass. Cool-season annuals include wheat, ryegrass, and
oats.
What are warm-season grasses?
Warm-season grasses grow best during the warm periods of
the year. This is generally from June to October. These plants
tend to use water more efficiently and are better adapted for
growth during the hot, dry times of the year. These plants
will either become dormant or die when the fall frost begins.
Warm-season perennials include bermudagrass and
dallisgrass. Warm-season annuals include pearl millet and
crabgrass.
What is the difference between a perennial andan annual?
A perennial plant is one that lives for more than one year. It
may become dormant for part of the year, but survives the
dormancy period and regrows. Annual plants are those that
germinate from seed, grow, produce seed, and die within one
year.
When should cool-season forage crops beplanted?
Tall fescue and orchardgrass should be seeded at a rate of 15
to 20 lbs. per acre and timothy at a rate of 9 lbs. per acre
between August 15 and October 1 or February 20 to April 1.
Fall planting is usually the most successful. Plant at a depth
of .25 to .50 inch.
Does KY 31 fescue cause reproductiveproblems?
The predominant grass used in Tennessee pastures is KY 31
tall fescue. Most KY 31 contains a fungal endophyte that
causes mares to have reproductive problems, but it can be
used for mares 9-10 months of the year. During the two
months prior to foaling, mares need to be removed from the
fescue. Mares are the only class of horses with any difficulty
related to the endophyte.
Are there endophyte-free fescue varietiesavailable?
There are fescue varieties available that are endophyte free.
The stand life of these grasses will generally not be as long as
endophyte-infected tall fescue.
Are there other plant species to avoid?
Yes. Sorghum, sudangrass, Johnsongrass, and particularly
sorghum x sudan hybrids are not recommended for horse pas-
tures due to the potential to cause health problems.
Can pastures benefit from the additionof legumes?
Ladino white clover (cool-season) and annual lespedeza
(warm-season) can be added to most cool-season pastures to
improve the quality of the forage, while adding nitrogen to
the soil. Red clover can be used successfully; however, the
late spring growth of red clover can cause excessive saliva-
tion or “slobbering”. This is not fatal to the animal, but it is
unsightly.
How and when should clovers be added?
Ladino white clover should be seeded at 2 lbs. per acre. If
red clover is included, add 4 lbs. red clover per acre. On
droughty hillsides, 8 lbs. of kobe annual lespedeza can be
seeded to help summer grazing. These seeds can be mixed
together and broadcast across the field from February 15 to
March 1. After March 1, the seed should be drilled into the
pasture no more than .25 to .50 inch deep. Do not seed clo-
vers after March 31 in the spring. Clovers can be added in
the fall but do better in the spring.
Do horses prefer grasses or legumes?
Horses will eat legumes, but tend to prefer grasses. Horses
are more selective than cattle and tend to “spot” graze. This
is particularly true if legumes are present. Horse pastures
may require periodic clipping to even out the overgrazed and
undergrazed areas and to keep forage plants young and ten-
der.
How are weak grass stands improved?
If the stand is slightly weak and only a few grass plants need
to be added, graze or clip the pasture to remove all topgrowth.
Cool-season grass seed can be drilled in from the middle of
August to late September. Use the full seeding rate for the
appropriate grass.
How are new pastures established?
There are two basic ways to plant a new stand of forage. One
is conventional seeding which involves preparing a new seed-
bed by plowing and disking. Once a smooth seedbed is pre-
pared, seed can be drilled or broadcast onto the seedbed, and
then cultipacked. The other method is no-till, which involves
the use of a herbicide to kill all existing vegetation. A no-till
drill is used to place the seed in contact with the soil.
What steps should be taken to prepare for newseedings?
Fertilize according to soil test, plant at the proper time, plant
the proper amount of seed, plant at the proper depth, and plant
when moisture is available.
How should pastures be fertilized?
Proper soil fertility is essential to producing high-yielding,
top-quality forages. A soil test is the only way to determine
how much fertilizer is needed. A soil test should be taken
every 2 to 3 years and sent to a university or private lab for
analysis. A sample depth of 2-4 inches is recommended for
sod. Lime, potash, and phosphate can be applied any time of
the year, usually either spring or fall. Nitrogen should be
applied to the grass when it is actively growing. For tall fes-
cue pastures apply 60 lbs. of actual nitrogen in fall after the
rains begin, and make another application in the spring for
additional growth.
What is soil pH?
The level of soil acidity or soil pH is one of the most impor-
tant factors affecting plant growth. A low pH will make soil
nutrients less available to plants, which means the fertilizer
you apply is not utilized by the plants. The addition of lime
can correct a low soil pH.
What to do about weeds in pastures?
Broadleaf weeds can reduce forage yield and quality. Often
a thin stand of forage and high weed pressure are found to-
gether. Weeds will fill in areas that are not covered by for-
ages so keeping a healthy stand of forage is important. Sev-
eral herbicides can be used to control broadleaf weeds. Se-
lecting the best herbicide depends on the type of weeds that
are present and the forage that is being sprayed. Many herbi-
cides that control broadleaf weeds will damage various clo-
vers. While spring is an excellent time to control weeds, many
broadleaf weeds can be controlled in the fall. Do not spray
for broadleaf weeds and seed clovers in the same field. Be
sure to read and follow the label directions.
Will overgrazing affect forage stands?
Yes. Overgrazing will many times result in the loss of a
stand in a pasture. Proper grazing management allows
plants to be grazed by the horse, but prevents constant
overgrazing. The best way to minimize overgrazing is to
reduce pasture size and move horses from pasture to pas-
ture, allowing a 3-4 week rest period between grazing.
How should forages be grazed?
Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, wheat,and ryegrass should be grazed when they reach 8 inches tall,
and animals should be removed when the forage is grazed
down to 3 inches. Bermudagrass can be grazed down to 1-2inches, because it has more leaves lower on the plant and
does not require as much energy from root reserves for re-
growth.
What pasture program is best?
For most horse owners in Tennessee, an endophyte-infectedtall fescue pasture overseeded with white ladino clover will
provide the longest growing season with good persistence. Ifmares are to be bred, another type of grass can be planted on
a small acreage or another feed can be provided for the two
months prior to expected foaling date. If establishing newpastures, low-endophyte fescue should be considered.
The farther south and west a farm is located in the state, thegreater potential for using bermudagrass as a forage. A
bermudagrass pasture overseeded with wheat or ryegrass in
the fall can provide a good-quality diet to the horse.
Regardless of the forage selected, a solid fertility and weed
control program combined with good grazing managementpractices are a must to maintain pasture longevity. Success-
ful pasture management is nothing more than creating and
maintaining conditions in the pasture that favor forage plantsover weeds.
Recommended planting rates:
Forage Seeding rate Seeding date(lbs./acre)
Tall fescue 15 to 20 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1
Orchardgrass 15 to 20 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1
Timothy 9 to 10 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1
Wheat 90 to 120 Sept. 1 - Nov. 10
Rye 90 to 120 Aug. 15 - Oct. 15
Annual ryegrass 20 to 30 Aug. 15 - Oct. 15
Bermudagraass 6 to 10 April 15 - July 1
Pearl millet 15 to 25 May 1 - July 15
Red clover 8 to 10 Feb. 15 - April 1
White clover 2 Feb. 15 - April 1
Annual lespedeza 25 to 40 Feb. 15 - April 15
* Fall planting is usually the most successful.
Your local Co-op has qualified personnel to assist you with
your pasture program and a complete line of products to help
ensure productive and attractive pastures. See us for:
• Fertilizer products including nitrogen, phosphate, potash,
and micronutrients. We also offer custom application ser-
vices and custom blending.
• A complete line of herbicides and assistance with the proper
selection of products and correct application rates.
• An excellent line of quality seed products including: