Pasture Management II Mid-Atlantic Equine Pasture Initiative Dr. Amy Burk University of Maryland

Mow Frequently Maintains uniform grass stands Maintains uniform grass stands Prevents weeds from going to seed/spreading Prevents weeds from going to seed/spreading After horses graze pasture ~ 3 inches; After horses graze pasture ~ 3 inches; Remove them to rest pasture Remove them to rest pasture Mow grass at  3 inches Mow grass at  3 inches

Drag Pastures

Irrigation

Renovate or Start Over? Continue Management: Continue Management: 75% or more desirable plants left 75% or more desirable plants left Improve Management/Renovate: Improve Management/Renovate: 40-75% desirable plants left 40-75% desirable plants left Reestablish/Start Over: Reestablish/Start Over: Less than 40% desirable plants left Less than 40% desirable plants left

Continue Management Which option would you choose?

Improve Management Which option would you choose?

Renovate Pasture Which option would you choose?

Reestablish Pasture Which option would you choose?

Pasture Establishment

Successful Seedling Establishment Depends On: Adequate lime and fertilizer Adequate lime and fertilizer Proper seedbed preparation Proper seedbed preparation Proper timing Proper timing Quality seed/Species Selection Quality seed/Species Selection Proper seeding practices Proper seeding practices Controlling competition Controlling competition

Herbicides

Firm Seedbed with Excellent Seed to Soil Contact

Seed at Proper Time Early spring seedings: Early spring seedings: March 15 – April 15 March 15 – April 15 Early spring is best for overseeding/frost seedings Early spring is best for overseeding/frost seedings Late summer seedings: Late summer seedings: August 15 – Sept. 15 August 15 – Sept. 15 Late summer preferred time for complete renovations Late summer preferred time for complete renovations

Pasture Tillage Best to seed pastures with a no-till drill Best to seed pastures with a no-till drill Drill cuts soil and places seed directly in soil Drill cuts soil and places seed directly in soil Provides best seed-to-soil contact Provides best seed-to-soil contact Does not disturb soil Does not disturb soil Reduces risk or eliminates soil erosion Reduces risk or eliminates soil erosion

Seeding a New Pasture

Pasture Renovation

Grazing Management

Grazing Behavior

Selective Grazers/Defecators

Continuous Grazing

Rotational Grazing Rotating horses through smaller pasture enclosures when weather and growth good Rotating horses through smaller pasture enclosures when weather and growth good Utilizing sacrifice area to avoid wear and tear of pastures Utilizing sacrifice area to avoid wear and tear of pastures Inclement weather: rain, snow, drought Inclement weather: rain, snow, drought Poor growth: plant heights < 3 inches Poor growth: plant heights < 3 inches Recommended density > 1 acre/horse Recommended density > 1 acre/horse

What is a Sacrifice Area? Area: 300 ft 2 /horse Area: 300 ft 2 /horse Well drained Well drained All weather footing All weather footing Horses allowed free access to shelter, water, and hay Horses allowed free access to shelter, water, and hay

When do I use a Sacrifice Area? Pastures overgrazed Pastures overgrazed Pastures too wet Pastures too wet Pastures being renovated Pastures being renovated Fertilization Fertilization Lime Lime Herbicide application Herbicide application Drought conditions Drought conditions

Rotational Grazing Shelter Water Gate Sacrifice lot Pasture

Rotational Grazing Example

Equine Rotational Grazing Demonstration Site

Mud Management

Heavy use areas: gates, waterers, run-ins Heavy use areas: gates, waterers, run-ins Mud increases the risk of foot and skin problems, and parasites ingestion Mud increases the risk of foot and skin problems, and parasites ingestion Identify and fix drainage problems Identify and fix drainage problems Grade surfaces Grade surfaces Install gutters Install gutters Construct heavy use pads Construct heavy use pads

Mud Management

Heavy Use Pad Installation Excavated soilInstalled layers

Heavy Use Pad Installation Laneway and Sacrifice Lot Heavy Use Pad

Heavy Use Pad Example

Equipment Tractor/Skid Loader Tractor/Skid Loader Attachments: front end loader, mower, harrow, spreaders, snow plow, hay spear Attachments: front end loader, mower, harrow, spreaders, snow plow, hay spear All-terrain 4-wheel drive vehicle All-terrain 4-wheel drive vehicle Utility Trailer Utility Trailer Fence Equipment – post-hole digger, post pounder (t-posts), hand tools Fence Equipment – post-hole digger, post pounder (t-posts), hand tools

Conclusions Pasture good source of nutrition and exercise Make pasture system decisions that work best for you and your operation Optimize use of pasture for nutrition by using best management practices