Rehabilitating Overgrazed Pastures for Horses

Reestablishing Overgrazed Pastures for Horses

Incorrect moisture content

Mismanagement

If a pasture has too little moisture, it will dry out and vegetation will not be able to grow

If a pasture has too much moisture, the ground can easily be ripped up and will turn to mud

Overgrazing

Mismanagement of pastures can be the result of many things, such as:

• Not rotating grazing pastures
• Pastures not large enough to support grazing animals
• Lack of care for pastures (i.e. mowing, controlling weeds, etc.)

Options for a damaged pasture:

• Start over
• Reestablishment (fertilizing, liming, dragging, clipping, seeding, etc.
• Repurposement
• Transition to sacrifice area

• Overgrazing can happen when pastures are not rotated or are overstocked
• Two acres for every one horse is ideal
• When overstocked, pastures are overgrazed they are very difficult and expensive to rehabilitate
• Can be rehabilitated by seeding and fertilizing
• When grazers (horses) are hungry they will eat just about anything, including toxic plants/weeds

Steps for Rehabilitating a pasture

After that resting period you can introduce your animals to that field in the late spring. Tilling will be necessary to prevent harmful weed growth.

Assess conditions of fields. Submit soil samples, figure out your budget and your planned use for the field.

Apply lime as needed, based on the results of your soil sample

Damage to pastures can be caused by:

• Overgrazing
• Mismanagement
• Lack of moisture
• Excess moisture

For best results it is a good idea to let the pasture rest for a full growing season (usually between last frost in Spring and first hard frost in Fall). In that growing season you should mow 2-3 times.

Seed and fence in the fields. Over-seeding is suggested for grazing pastures and/or bare areas.

Fertilize your fields for the proper vegetation

Certain times of year are better for seeding specific species of plants

Deciding which vegetation to use

Upkeep for your new pastures

• Utilize rotational grazing
• Consider the season to plan your grazing schedule
• Manage weeds and continue seeding to keep pastures lush

• Consider what kinds of animals will be used on the pasture
• Research your location (climate, water table, etc)
• Use soil testing to decide which vegetation will best thrive on your field

Rotational Grazing

The purpose of rotational grazing is so no pasture gets over grazed but is also allowed a rest period.

Seasonal Upkeep

Summer

Spring

It is a good idea to keep horses off of the new pasture in early spring due to:

• Rain fall
• avoid ripped up pasture
• Regrowing
• wait for plants to grow to 8"

• Temperatures rise and rainfall can be scarce
• Be sure to rotate pastures
• Avoid overstocking
• Give the pastures time (about 6 weeks) for adequate regrowth
• Weeds tend to flourish during this time
• Some may be toxic
• Keep in mind that mid summer is the most dry time of the year

Introduce horses back to pasture in late spring.

Fall

Winter

Some species of plants may stay dormant during winter but when the ground is frozen and/or covered by snow this season is for the most part, a non-grazing period

Take animals off pasture early fall to allow plants to grow and store nutrients below the surface. This allows the plant to survive the winter and you will have a better crop come spring.

Managing Weeds

The best way to manage weed growth is to mow it to about 3''. After that, let it grow back up to 8'' before introducing live stock again. Another method is to over seed the pasture.

Works Cited

• http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06112.html
• http://permaculturenews.org/2012/06/30/pasture-cropping-an-integrated-approach-to-grain-and-pasture-production/
• http://extension.psu.edu/business/start-farming/news/2012/fall-management-for-pastures-renovate-or-restore
• http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Summer2006/RevitalizingOldFieldsforPastureandHay/tabid/484/Default.aspx