Equestrian Pasture Management

Horses are natural Grazing animals, meaning that they like to roam and eat continuously throughout their day. The modernisation of the horse today means that so often this can not be the case; be it because of the lack of space for all horses on the yard, needing to rest the pasture there is available or avalability of grazing space. All horses are different, but many horses follow their natural instincts and like to spend time grazing. It is the owners responsibility that this be available, enabliing them to interact with other horses in a natural and free environment.

There are many areas to good pasture management and many problems that can arise due to lack of a good pasture management schedule.

-Parasites (worms) are a common problem steming from poor pasture management, particularily on yards with numbers of horses using the same fields. Parisitism due to worms is high up the list of common veterinary problems that can occur because of poorly managed pasture and grazing regiemes.
--The most effective worm control schedule requires that you understand the life cycles and species of the parasite in order to treat them in the most effective way. The use of Anthelmintics (wormers) is one of the ways to treat a parasite problem. Consultation by a veterinarian or direct to Anthelmintic companies is recommended.
--By removing droppings daily / weekly (time dependant) any larvae that may be living in the horses gut will not have chance to mature and be ingested once the horse grazes the pasture, causing damage to the horse gut and ensuring to cycle continues by more larvae being produced. The larvae of parasitic worms can only survive on the pasture for around 6 days, and unless ingested will die.
--Resting clean fields and the use of sheep grazing the pasture can also prevent the continuing parasitic life cycle. Parasites can not live without a host and without the horse they will not survive. Sheep are not affected by worms and their presence also assists in preventing the spread of worms.
--Parasites are also affected by environmental changes; these should be considered when considering harrowing or rolling fields so consideratioin as to whether this will contribute to the spreading or killing of any parasites / larvae on the pasture.

-Good fencing or boundaries to a field is so important. Horses are inquisitive so fencing should be solid and secure.
--The most widely successful fencing for horse pastures is Post and Rail fencing, although other secure fences like cotswald stone walls and hedgerows (ensuring there are no poisenous plants etc growning through them) are adequate.
--It is not advisable for wire to be used for fences, barbed wire, chicken wire, sheep wire, or single strands of wire are all dangerous; they can lacerate skin, get wrapped around legs or entangle between hoof and shoe.
--Electric fencing is a good substitute for other fences, but needs to be erected carefully and correctly so that it does not get affected by strong winds etc. Horses should be monitered the first time they are put in a field with this fencing as it will be very different to anything they are used to.

-A clean and safe water supply must be easily accessable at all times when the horse is in the field. Streams are a good natural water supply so long as the accessibility to it is safe and you can guarantee the source, buckets of water are a flexible and easily maintained method, but for large pastures can become laborious and likely to run out. The easiest method of providing water for horses in fields are automatic water tanks that fill up as the horse drinks from them. In cold weathers all water supplies must be monitered to ensure they do not freeze over.

-Gateways and entrances in and out of the field should also be safe, secure, wide enough and easy to open and close.

-Poisonous plants and trees should be removed as soon as they are seen.

-There should be at least on e place in the field (large enough if there are many horses) where they can shade from heat or rain and wind etc. This can be field shelter, natural shelter from trees / large hedges, or other safe and secure buildings.

-Horses should have available suffient space in which to graze; it is recommended that each horse has 1-2 acres of space each.
Prevention is better than cure and by keeping a well maintained pasture you will prevent possible accidents or ilnesses.

Tammy is a avid horse rider who wishes to promote the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for Anything Equine online who specialise in horse riding boots as well as horse tack and Jack Murphy Equine Clothing in the UK.