Preparing Equine Pastures

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Fall is the time to establish pasture that will help your horse and pocketbook for months to come.

horse in pasture If you plan to overwinter your horses on pasture, it's time to start developing that pasture, says Phil Howard, marketing manager for crops at Southern States. Seeding and fertilizing should be done beginning in early September, he notes.

Cool-season forage species such as orchardgrass, timothy, ryegrass, fescue and clovers need time to establish a stand and develop a strong root system. It takes 45 to 55 days before they are ready to graze.

Agronomists have identified some 16 essential nutrients that plants need to grow and survive. The most well known to people are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (or potash). These must be applied in a proper balance. Various secondary and micronutrients also are important.

It is essential that you know the nutrient levels present in your soils so that you can fill any gaps that may prevent forages from growing properly. This all starts with a soil test.

Your local Southern States dealer can show you how to take a representative soil sample. When you get the analysis back from the soil-testing laboratory, he can explain the results. Then he can help you plan a fertility program that will get you the most return from your investment in fertilizer.

spreader truck Apply at least 20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the fall to enhance the thickening and tillering of the grasses and to develop a strong root system that will withstand winter temperatures. You will need to apply additional nitrogen later as forages are grazed.

"A good fertility program also may reduce the need for herbicides to control weeds," Howard says.

When it comes to variety selection, you get what you pay for, adds Howard. He notes that many newer varieties of forages are bred for improved yield and forage quality, as well as for disease resistance, drought resistance and longevity.

An ideal solution is to use Southern States Professional Horse Pasture Mix. This mix consists of approximately 20% Benchmark Plus orchardgrass, 45% Kentucky bluegrass, 20% Grand Daddy perennial ryegrass, 10% Derby timothy and 5% Will ladino clover.