Room to exercise and graze key to happy horse ownership
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 14, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Landowners looking to own their own horses should consider the availability of pasture, for both exercise and hay
- Consider which grasses to plant, then keep an eye on management
- Haying paddocks and grazing paddocks should be kept separate
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The idea of owning horses is an appealing one to many Americans, whether they grow up in a rural or urban setting. An important part of making that dream a reality is understanding the demands of owning such an animal.
Dirk Philipp, Associate Professor of Animal Science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said that many families have relatively little grazing land to support a horse.
“The main concern for small properties — anywhere from 2-10 acres, for most suburban properties — is providing quality grazing and exercise land,” Philipp said. “It’s important to realize that more work is required to keep small horse grazing pastures in good shape.”
Buying hay from a reputable source is usually a good option, so the nutritional value of the grass isn’t necessarily a concern. Stabling the animal at a nearby facility is also a more practical option for many.
Philipp offers a few tips for keeping your horse — and yourself — happy:
- Select a dependable perennial forage. Novel endophyte tall fescue or bermudagrass are great choices.
- Take your time establishing those forages. Invest your time in proper ground preparation, liming and checking the soil’s fertility.
- Try to keep horses stocked rotationally, and give them at least a couple of paddocks to choose from.
- Keep grazing paddocks strictly separated from areas designated for making hay.
Philipp also has some suggestions on managing grazing paddocks.
“Keep an eye out for changing plant species composition,” he said. “Horses graze very close to the ground. Over time, that leaves overgrazed paddocks with weed plants in it.”
Landowners can reset the pasture periodically by checking the soil fertility status, and aerating the soil with a harrow in fall for reseeding, or before liming.
“Your most important tool is a mower,” Philipp said. “This allows you to cut the canopy to a standard height after the very uneven grazing by the horse; it will also help with weed control, as most weeds are way more sensitive to frequent clipping than a perennial grass cover.”
If a landowner has bermudagrass, the canopy can be mowed at 4 inches and lower, which helps to push the paddocks towards a dense grass sward with less weeds.
“Be on the lookout for weeds,” Philipp said. “Some are poisonous to horses under certain circumstances, including poison hemlock, groundsel and Johnsongrass when it’s stressed.”
Philipp recommends rotating horses from one grazing paddock to another et least every six weeks, to provide the former paddock with a resting period. He also advises against cutting hay from your grazing paddocks, as this may result in continuous exposure of soil-borne pathogens that may be carried over in the hay.
To learn more about forage and pasture management, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu