More Info for Your Horses Pasture

Once you recognize the areas your horses graze (very short grass) and the area they leave their manure, watch for changes in the shape or size of these areas throughout the grazing season. If the “weedy” areas where they deposit manure aren’t getting bigger, their favorite grazing areas aren’t getting bare while at the same time the horses are maintaining a good weight your pasture is in good condition. If “weedy” areas are getting larger and favorite grazing areas are becoming bare and horses are dropping weight, you need to rethink how the pasture is being managed.

Make sure the “weedy” manure areas are not getting smaller also. The horses may be forced to graze in those areas if they are not getting enough to satisfy them from their grazing areas. The pasture can become overgrazed under these conditions. This can also lead to problems with parasites for the horses. In this case better management plans are needed. Consider reducing the number of horses on the pasture or acquiring more land.