| |
 Greener Pastures Is the Grass Growing Safe for your Horse?
When it comes to greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? What a thought. Who would ever think the grass growing in your pasture could ever harm your horse?
Horses have a very simple, single stomach and the grass they eat has to be highly digestible, and of high quality. When it comes to greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? You should have no questions about this. To eliminate your questions, you first need to have your pasture grass analyzed by a professional.
After your pasture is analyzed, you may need to improve your pasture, or merely change your pasture management plan to keep it healthy for your horse.
How many horses do you have? Do you have enough acreage to pasture all your horses? If pasture is your sole source of feed for your horse,
you will have to have your pastures nutritional content checked.
Some grasses have a second season of growth in the fall months. This is especially helpful to lengthen your grass feeding months. These grasses frequently drop off in nutritional value in the middle of summer, regaining their nutrients during the second growing cycle.
Nutrient contents will vary by location and geographical region. Soil type, and the acidity of the soil, all play roles in the nutritional value of your pasture. Alfalfa is an excellent legume to add to your grass pasture. Most horses tolerate alfalfa well, and it will help maintain their nutritional needs.
Clover is another legume that the older generation of horsemen favor. Many of your grandfathers, and their grandfathers fed nothing but clover to their working horses. Keep in mind these were working horses. They were used and worked every day except Sunday. To feed this kind of hay to Old Red who spends most of his days in the pasture, or to even make his pasture rich with alfalfa or clover, would be detrimental to him.
Maybe you want or need to establish a new pasture, but your land has always been in crops. Will this be a permanent pasture? The next question you need to ask yourself, is what kind of grass do you want? Native grasses, in good soil, will fulfill most of your horses nutritional requirements. With native grasses, you wont stand there and ask yourself even though you have greener pastures-is the grass growing safe for your horse? Your UW Extension office will be more than happy to assist with a plan to plant grasses or legumes or a mix that is appropriate for your horse, and for your soil type.
When you get your pasture planned out on paper, its time for your soil test. By doing a soil test, you can determine what nutrients you need to add to the soil for optimal growth of your new pasture. Levels of phosphorus and nitrogen need to be determined and adjusted as necessary. Phosphorus is a key nutrient when it comes to getting pastures established.
Most typically, you dont want a weedy pasture. Therefore its especially important to prepare your planting area so as to establish successful grass pasture within the shortest amount of time. You should be prepping your planting area, as early in the spring as spring conditions will allow. You all know how Mother Nature works, and you will have to just work with her.
After you have done your seeded preparation, you will be seeding your plot. If you choose, you can seed in the fall, be sure though, that there is no chance of germination yet that fall. This will give you a jump on spring, and you wont be at the mercy of the weather.
Seeding should be anywhere from 1/4 to 3/4 inches deep. Not any deeper than that. Seeding rates will be listed on the seed bag, or can be obtained from your local mill. Have you made your grass choice? Some swear by timothy and brome grass. Still, others swear by Kentucky bluegrass. Whichever one you choose is up to you. There are many varieties, and you can even have your own special mix made up at your feed mill. You will feel better than knowing you wont be asking yourself when it comes to your greener pasture-is the grass growing safe for your horse?
Checking Facts on Choke, a Condition in Horses
Choke in horses is something to be taken seriously, however, when checking the facts on choke, a condition in horses, dont be confused. It is different from choke in humans. In humans, choke involves the windpipe, limiting, or completely...
Creating a Horse First Aid Kit What Goes in it?
You may be asking yourself, Why am I creating a horse first aid kit-what goes in it? Many new horse owners wonder the same thing. Do not wait until your horse has a near-fatal accident or injury to decide on putting together a first aid kid....
Bath Time Hints and Tips for Washing your Horse
When it comes to your horse, you probably know that grooming him or her is not always a piece of cake. It can take a long time to get the desired grooming results. Not only do you need to know what works and what doesnt, but you also have to...
Horse Blankets How to Pick Them
There is a lot to know when it comes to choosing blankets for horses. When doing so keep in mind that horses are considerably different in many ways. The most obvious way that a horse is different is in the size and build. You should...
Basic Equine Breeding Dos and Don'ts
Some things to consider before breeding your mare would include the cost and the year that you will spend waiting for the foal, along with any possible complications or the uncertainty of the birth. You should then consider the cost of training the...
|
|
|
|
|