PASTURE PRODUCTION

FOR HORSESproductive pasture can be an inexpensive, high-

quality source of feed for horses, while providing

the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and

rest. Not only will a poorly managed pasture supply lim-

ited, low-quality feed, it will also be unattractive and could

potentially cause health and nutritional problems. Select-

ing the right forage, starting with a good stand, and man-

aging the pasture properly are the elements of successful

pasture production.

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How much acreage is needed?

If the pasture is expected to provide a majority of the diet,

approximately one to two acres are needed for each mature

horse.

What forage species should be used?

Grasses should be the primary forage in a pasture because

they tend to be more productive and persistent. The majority

of acres should be seeded to a cool-season perennial grass

such as tall fescue or orchardgrass. Bermudagrass can be

used in warmer areas of the state and can provide grazing

during the summer months.

What are cool-season grasses?

Cool-season grasses produce most of their growth during the

cooler times of the year. This is generally from March to

June and September to November. During the summer these

plants usually become dormant or die. Cool-season perenni-

als include tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy and Kentucky

bluegrass. Cool-season annuals include wheat, ryegrass, and

oats.

What are warm-season grasses?

Warm-season grasses grow best during the warm periods of

the year. This is generally from June to October. These plants

tend to use water more efficiently and are better adapted for

growth during the hot, dry times of the year. These plants

will either become dormant or die when the fall frost begins.

Warm-season perennials include bermudagrass and

dallisgrass. Warm-season annuals include pearl millet and

crabgrass.

What is the difference between a perennial andan annual?

A perennial plant is one that lives for more than one year. It

may become dormant for part of the year, but survives the

dormancy period and regrows. Annual plants are those that

germinate from seed, grow, produce seed, and die within one

year.

When should cool-season forage crops beplanted?

Tall fescue and orchardgrass should be seeded at a rate of 15

to 20 lbs. per acre and timothy at a rate of 9 lbs. per acre

between August 15 and October 1 or February 20 to April 1.

Fall planting is usually the most successful. Plant at a depth

of .25 to .50 inch.

Does KY 31 fescue cause reproductiveproblems?

The predominant grass used in Tennessee pastures is KY 31

tall fescue. Most KY 31 contains a fungal endophyte that

causes mares to have reproductive problems, but it can be

used for mares 9-10 months of the year. During the two

months prior to foaling, mares need to be removed from the

fescue. Mares are the only class of horses with any difficulty

related to the endophyte.

Are there endophyte-free fescue varietiesavailable?

There are fescue varieties available that are endophyte free.

The stand life of these grasses will generally not be as long as

endophyte-infected tall fescue.

Are there other plant species to avoid?

Yes. Sorghum, sudangrass, Johnsongrass, and particularly

sorghum x sudan hybrids are not recommended for horse pas-

tures due to the potential to cause health problems.

Can pastures benefit from the additionof legumes?

Ladino white clover (cool-season) and annual lespedeza

(warm-season) can be added to most cool-season pastures to

improve the quality of the forage, while adding nitrogen to

the soil. Red clover can be used successfully; however, the

late spring growth of red clover can cause excessive saliva-

tion or “slobbering”. This is not fatal to the animal, but it is

unsightly.

How and when should clovers be added?

Ladino white clover should be seeded at 2 lbs. per acre. If

red clover is included, add 4 lbs. red clover per acre. On

droughty hillsides, 8 lbs. of kobe annual lespedeza can be

seeded to help summer grazing. These seeds can be mixed

together and broadcast across the field from February 15 to

March 1. After March 1, the seed should be drilled into the

pasture no more than .25 to .50 inch deep. Do not seed clo-

vers after March 31 in the spring. Clovers can be added in

the fall but do better in the spring.

Do horses prefer grasses or legumes?

Horses will eat legumes, but tend to prefer grasses. Horses

are more selective than cattle and tend to “spot” graze. This

is particularly true if legumes are present. Horse pastures

may require periodic clipping to even out the overgrazed and

undergrazed areas and to keep forage plants young and ten-

der.

How are weak grass stands improved?

If the stand is slightly weak and only a few grass plants need

to be added, graze or clip the pasture to remove all topgrowth.

Cool-season grass seed can be drilled in from the middle of

August to late September. Use the full seeding rate for the

appropriate grass.

How are new pastures established?

There are two basic ways to plant a new stand of forage. One

is conventional seeding which involves preparing a new seed-

bed by plowing and disking. Once a smooth seedbed is pre-

pared, seed can be drilled or broadcast onto the seedbed, and

then cultipacked. The other method is no-till, which involves

the use of a herbicide to kill all existing vegetation. A no-till

drill is used to place the seed in contact with the soil.

What steps should be taken to prepare for newseedings?

Fertilize according to soil test, plant at the proper time, plant

the proper amount of seed, plant at the proper depth, and plant

when moisture is available.

How should pastures be fertilized?

Proper soil fertility is essential to producing high-yielding,

top-quality forages. A soil test is the only way to determine

how much fertilizer is needed. A soil test should be taken

every 2 to 3 years and sent to a university or private lab for

analysis. A sample depth of 2-4 inches is recommended for

sod. Lime, potash, and phosphate can be applied any time of

the year, usually either spring or fall. Nitrogen should be

applied to the grass when it is actively growing. For tall fes-

cue pastures apply 60 lbs. of actual nitrogen in fall after the

rains begin, and make another application in the spring for

additional growth.

What is soil pH?

The level of soil acidity or soil pH is one of the most impor-

tant factors affecting plant growth. A low pH will make soil

nutrients less available to plants, which means the fertilizer

you apply is not utilized by the plants. The addition of lime

can correct a low soil pH.

What to do about weeds in pastures?

Broadleaf weeds can reduce forage yield and quality. Often

a thin stand of forage and high weed pressure are found to-

gether. Weeds will fill in areas that are not covered by for-

ages so keeping a healthy stand of forage is important. Sev-

eral herbicides can be used to control broadleaf weeds. Se-

lecting the best herbicide depends on the type of weeds that

are present and the forage that is being sprayed. Many herbi-

cides that control broadleaf weeds will damage various clo-

vers. While spring is an excellent time to control weeds, many

broadleaf weeds can be controlled in the fall. Do not spray

for broadleaf weeds and seed clovers in the same field. Be

sure to read and follow the label directions.

Will overgrazing affect forage stands?

Yes. Overgrazing will many times result in the loss of a

stand in a pasture. Proper grazing management allows

plants to be grazed by the horse, but prevents constant

overgrazing. The best way to minimize overgrazing is to

reduce pasture size and move horses from pasture to pas-

ture, allowing a 3-4 week rest period between grazing.

How should forages be grazed?

Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, wheat,and ryegrass should be grazed when they reach 8 inches tall,

and animals should be removed when the forage is grazed

down to 3 inches. Bermudagrass can be grazed down to 1-2inches, because it has more leaves lower on the plant and

does not require as much energy from root reserves for re-

growth.

What pasture program is best?

For most horse owners in Tennessee, an endophyte-infectedtall fescue pasture overseeded with white ladino clover will

provide the longest growing season with good persistence. Ifmares are to be bred, another type of grass can be planted on

a small acreage or another feed can be provided for the two

months prior to expected foaling date. If establishing newpastures, low-endophyte fescue should be considered.

The farther south and west a farm is located in the state, thegreater potential for using bermudagrass as a forage. A

bermudagrass pasture overseeded with wheat or ryegrass in

the fall can provide a good-quality diet to the horse.

Regardless of the forage selected, a solid fertility and weed

control program combined with good grazing managementpractices are a must to maintain pasture longevity. Success-

ful pasture management is nothing more than creating and

maintaining conditions in the pasture that favor forage plantsover weeds.

Recommended planting rates:

Forage Seeding rate Seeding date(lbs./acre)

Tall fescue 15 to 20 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1

Orchardgrass 15 to 20 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1

Timothy 9 to 10 Aug. 15-Oct. 1*, Feb. 20 - April 1

Wheat 90 to 120 Sept. 1 - Nov. 10

Rye 90 to 120 Aug. 15 - Oct. 15

Annual ryegrass 20 to 30 Aug. 15 - Oct. 15

Bermudagraass 6 to 10 April 15 - July 1

Pearl millet 15 to 25 May 1 - July 15

Red clover 8 to 10 Feb. 15 - April 1

White clover 2 Feb. 15 - April 1

Annual lespedeza 25 to 40 Feb. 15 - April 15

* Fall planting is usually the most successful.

Your local Co-op has qualified personnel to assist you with

your pasture program and a complete line of products to help

ensure productive and attractive pastures. See us for:

• Fertilizer products including nitrogen, phosphate, potash,

and micronutrients. We also offer custom application ser-

vices and custom blending.

• A complete line of herbicides and assistance with the proper

selection of products and correct application rates.

• An excellent line of quality seed products including:

Wrangler BermudagrassSelect Fescue (low endophyte)

Benchmark and Hallmark OrchardgrassColt Timothy

Winter Magic RyeFFR SS 76/30 Oats

FFR Royal Red CloverWill Ladino White Clover

Marshall RyegrassGem Alfalfa

Plus many more

www.ourcoop.com