All About Pasturing Horses
Healthy pasturing is an essential key to your horse’s well-being. The quantity and regularity of time they spend grazing hinge on a myriad of conditions.
Winter Grazing for Active Horses
Some active horses, for instance Eventers and Polo Ponies, earn a reprieve during the colder months after vigorous work carried out during summer. While this practice may appear exacting from an economic standpoint—where the only deductions lie in the cost of bedding and labor—it has its unique rewards. These horses, provided they’re fed robustly, will use a substantial portion of their nourishment to generate body heat amidst wintertime. Despite this process, horses with a well-kept natural coat will stay satisfactorily warm.
However, thin-skinned breeds, such as Thorough Bred or Arabian, face distinctive challenges. The additional feed and rug requirements make winter grazing costly, and at times, harmful to their health.
Summer Pasturing for Hunters
Hunters usually earn their respite during summer, post their working period. A stint at the pasture provides much-needed relaxation after a challenging season. “Dr Green”, also known as the healing power of nature, facilitates robust hoof growth and a shiny coat for these animals, compensating for a winter spent in stable confinement.
Still, one must take precautions to safeguard horses pasturing in summertime from the inconveniences caused by flies. Detailed attention must be paid when transitioning a well-fed horse to grazing, ensuring that the switch in feeding isn’t abrupt.
Similarly, a horse that has enjoyed summer pasturing will take on a “grass belly”––an appearance characterized by a distended abdomen. Such a horse will necessitate considerable time, roughly two months, to regain its former vitality.
While a traditional break during part of the year for horses can sound alluring, it may not be necessary to allow a fit horse to lose its condition entirely. In many cases, light work or a minor change in routine can rejuvenate a horse as effectively as a long rest.
Balancing Pasture and Stable Time for Horses
Many horsekeepers appreciate the half-and-half approach: a system where these noble creatures share their time between grass fields and the stable. This strategy honours the horse’s instinctive rhythms, leading to better rest and work cycles.
Winter Stabling Routines
During winter, horses find wellness in spending their nights in the stable and spending their days outside. Horses roaming outdoors in colder periods are usually dynamic throughout the night, striving to maintain their warmth, while enjoying some relaxation during the day. By hosting them in the stable during the night, these energy-conserving mammals can rest well and be ready for light work or personal exercise during the day.
Summer Outdoors Schedules
Conversely, in summer times, horses benefit more from being turned out at night when they can graze unperturbed by the constant harassment of flies. When brought back into the stables during the day, providing comfortable bedding encourages them to rest during the sweltering afternoons, given they’re not scheduled for work. While in the stable, horses will need to be fed, with three modest hay rations being adequate if they’re not working. One hay-net can be stretched to last most of the day under such circumstances.
The best time to release them out again would be late in the afternoon, and they can be brought back into the barn the next morning around 8 or 9 o’clock. There’s no need for concern regarding their overnight sleep deprivation. Horses only require about three to four hours of sleep, often in fragmented patterns. In fact, a horse rarely slumbers continuously for over half an hour. Usually, they wake, munch on some grass, and then carry out another short period of rest.
Keeping Hunters in Working Conditions
This system allows hunters to rest adequately and yet maintain their working condition. By allowing them steady exercise for an hour or two during the cooler parts of the day and feeding them a “light work” ration, they can manage their energy optimally. At first glance, economically, this arrangement might not seem the most financially savvy way of maintaining horses during the summer. However, the investments made in the health it brings to these animals are well worth the cost.
Year-Round Management of Children’s Ponies
Children’s ponies are typically kept outdoors all year long. This arrangement is not harsh provided the pony is a hearty breed, such as a native pony, and not a thin-skinned Arabian breed or of similar physique.
Sheltering Ponies According to Seasons
Regardless of the breed or type, it’s crucial that suitable shelter is available throughout the year to protect against varying weather elements and seasonal challenges. From the scathing heat of summer and bothersome flies, torrential rain, to the bone-chilling winds of winter, ponies require appropriate protection to keep them healthy.
Alternatively, these ponies can be turned out during school terms and brought in only when children are home for holidays. It’s important to remember that these small equines are not identical to larger horses. A combination of stabling and feeding might lead to rather exuberant personalities, while conversely tough conditions and minimal feeding leave them spirited but more manageable and usually safe.
However, this is not a suggestion to neglect pony care. Nature sometimes falls short, and natural conditions are not always optimal. It’s crucial that ponies are observed carefully to ensure their needs are met, maintaining them in good condition without them “getting above themselves”.
Pony Digestive Systems and Rich Diet Issues
Even though horses have been selectively bred to grow larger, mature earlier, and manage rich diets, many pony breeds have not deviated much since the Ice Age. Their digestive systems are not well-equipped to handle a rich diet. Overfeeding is a common mistake, leading to frequent cases of laminitis, most prevalent among ponies.
Ponies have evolved to survive on sparse vegetation, not on abundant pastures. The onset of laminitis commonly occurs from grazing on lush grass in late spring and early summer. In several instances, it becomes necessary to limit their grazing during this period, and a few may even need to be halted from grazing altogether to prevent this agonizing disease. Subjecting ponies to repeated bouts of laminitis, either out of ignorance or neglect, is a form of cruelty.
Encouraging Knowledgeable Care for Ponies
It’s saddening to see ponies bought for young children by parents lacking horse expertise and leaving the care entirely to these children. This scenario often yields undesirable results. It’s encouraged for such parents to enrol their children in local Pony Clubs where they will receive excellent training and guidance on riding and pony care. Furthermore, both parents and children can benefit greatly from becoming members of the National Pony Society, where they can learn more about our magnificent native breeds.
The Nutritional Relevance of Grass
The role of grass as a food source is quite significant, and in a typical year, it can fulfil the nutritional needs of horses and ponies from May to October. However, the value depends on factors such as the nature of the grazing, its extent, and the number of animals involved.
Observing Animal Wellness and Supplementary Feed
It’s crucial to vigilantly monitor the animals to ascertain whether they are thriving on their current nutritional regime, or if they require supplementary feeding. This additional feeding is likely necessary at the very start and toward the end of the grazing season.
Detecting the need for such supplementary feed can be simple; just look to the horses themselves for signals. If they start to show less interest in quality hay, it’s generally an indicator that the grass is fulfilling their dietary needs. It’s the animal’s natural way of telling you that the grass is rich enough to sustain their stomachs without any need for additional hay.
Understanding the Various Types of Grasses for Horses
Contrary to the nutritional requirements of fattening cattle, horses don’t demand as much from their grazing. Nevertheless, a muddy patch of weeds isn’t suitable either. Evaluating the suitability of grazing doesn’t necessitate considerable experience. As a rule of thumb, horses tend to thrive in areas where hedges, trees, especially oak and ash, prosper.
Misconceptions and Implications of Different Grasses
To the untrained eye, grass is just grass, and it can be mistakenly considered uniform horse fodder. This perspective isn’t accurate; many grass types, commonly known as “weeds,” aren’t nutritiously beneficial for horses and can even hinder the growth of beneficial pasture plants by competing for essential soil nutrients.
The prime pasture grasses are those which are readily grazed, resilient, and aren’t easily overtaken by weed growth.
Various grass types from the Fescue family prove to be incredibly beneficial. For instance, Meadow Fescue can contribute to high-quality pasture. Timothy (Meadow Cat’s Tail) and Cocksfoot also play pivotal roles. Timothy can be transformed into good hay, but Cocksfoot can quickly become coarse and unsuitable for hay making. Meadow Fox Tail is another useful, resilient grass that does well both in pasture and meadow settings. Another renown plant in the South of England for creating hay is Yellow Oat Grass, but the larger Tall Oat Grass isn’t popular among horses due to its bitter taste.
Compact-growing herbage, which forms a level sward by creating a filling “bottom” or “sole” amidst the larger “top” grasses, is also required. The Rough and Smooth-stalked Meadow Grasses are perfect for this role, as they’re favored by grazing animals. Crested Dog’s Tail, found alongside Hard and Sheep’s Fescue in sheep pasture on the Downs, is a nutritious grass, although it doesn’t provide much hay value. Rye Grasses offer valuable feed as grazing and hay, but they have a short lifespan on anything other than heavy lands. Other “sole” grasses found among the Fescues include the “Various-leaved”, suitable for light, thin lands, and Creeping Fescue for light, wet lands.
The soil contains inert nitrogen, and leguminous plants like Clovers and Trefoils help in converting this nitrogen into a usable form for grazing animals.
This overview of different herbage plants is merely a guide and a compelling subject worth further exploration by horse owners than it usually receives.
Awareness of Poisonous Plants
Many are aware that a variety of pasture weeds, wild flowers, garden blooms, shrubs, and trees can pose a risk to horses due to their potentially toxic nature.
The Importance of Shade and Shelter in Horse Grazing
When selecting grazing land for horses, one vital factor to take into account (if you have the luxury to choose) is the availability of adequate shade and shelter for protection against harsh weather conditions, even in summer. Having accessibility to trees and hedges can significantly provide this level of protection on any grazing.
The Nuisance of Flies
During summer months, anyone with a keen observation will easily notice the distress caused by flies in horses. The ceaseless pestering from these insects often curtails the horses’ grazing time during the day, leading to unintended consequences. A stint in the grass under hot weather conditions, expected to serve as rest and rejuvenation time, instead frequently results in weight loss. Ironically, flies often tend to swarm more aggressively in the shade of trees and bushes, driving the bothered horses back into the blazing sun. Despite many attempts, no truly effective anti-fly lotion has been developed yet.
Benefits of Field Shelter
Providing a suitable field shelter is a desirable solution to cope with these circumstances. It serves a dual purpose—providing protection from the harsh elements in winter, and, it safeguards the horses from the torment of flies during summer. There’s no need for an overly complicated construction as long as it’s stable and can withstand heightened wind conditions.
An open-fronted shelter is all it takes to offer a peaceful haven away from the lurking flies, and when necessary, a shield against unforgiving weather conditions from the prevailing wind. It should be positioned strategically to keep out most of the sun rays during the day.
Simple field shelters can be economically built using feather-edge boarding on sturdy timbers sunk firmly into the ground. The sunken parts should be well tarred for preservation. The structure’s dimensions should ideally align with the size of a loose-box for each horse.
Incorporating a hard floor in the shelter guarantees dry footing during the winter, and it makes maintenance easier. Don’t feel disheartened if the shelter isn’t frequently used. Its main purpose is to be there when it’s needed, during intense fly invasions or biting cold winds. As a bonus, it serves as a convenient feeding spot during winter. Soon enough, the horses will grow to appreciate the little extra comfort that comes with the shelter.
Prioritizing Safety: Fences, Gates and more
After deciding on the appropriateness of a paddock, there are still various factors that demand careful attention.
Regular Inspection of Grounds, Fences, and Hedges
It’s crucial to routinely check the grounds, fences, and hedges for hazardous objects. You’ll be surprised by the odd assortment of things that seem to find their way into paddocks, especially those adjacent to roads or situated within suburban environments. Items like broken bottles, large flints, bricks, and other potential injury-causing objects seem to mysteriously appear overnight. Hedges and fences might even sprout barbed wire obstacles. Topographical features such as molehills, rabbit holes, and anthills pose tangible threats to galloping horses and should be smoothed out.
Ensuring Secure and Escape-proof Fences and Gates
The security of fences and gates is non-negotiable, regardless of how high quality your pasture might be. Interestingly, horses often find the grass on the other side (your neighbor’s side, particularly) seductively greener.
Concerning fence type, the universally feared barbed wire should be avoided at all costs. Similarly, low, sharp-pointed chestnut palings and spiked iron railings can be almost as hazardous. While “Posts and Rails” may make for the most desirable fencing, any type can be utilized as long as they fulfill certain standards. The fence should be:
- High enough to deter escape attempts (five feet usually suffice)
- Strong enough to weather high winds or withstand horses leaning against them
- Lacking gaps through which a crafty pony could maneuver
- Free from pointed or sharp aspects posing potential risks of injury
Favorably, gates should occupy the middle section of a fence instead of corners, which prevents animals from being trapped and bullied when released. Employing hardcore and chippings at the entrance helps avoid it turning into a muddy mess, as horses tend to congregate here anticipating their meals.
Having safe and secure fences and gates from the onset saves considerable time and trouble later—nearly half of injuries sustained by grazing horses trace back to negligence in this area. Securing structures like telegraph poles, electricity pylons, and their supporting cables is worth it, preventing horses from potential collisions.
Remember, the safety of one’s fences and gates is paramount. If a horse ventures onto a road, the owner can be held answerable for any damage or injury caused by it. Likewise, if it intrudes on a neighbor’s property due to insufficient fencing, the owner may be held liable for any damage incurred.
Protecting Horses from Outside Interference
If feasible, selecting fencing that also shields your horse from the misinformed interventions of passers-by will alleviate a lot of stress. Hand-fed treats and unintentional teasing at the fence can have unwanted effects on a young horse’s temperament. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for horses to be harmed, or even die, from consuming unsuitable plants given to them by well-meaning, yet unknowledgeable, animal lovers. It’s a peculiar trait among horses that they will often accept from a hand what they would typically avoid eating.
Ensuring Access to Fresh Water
A vital aspect of horse care is ensuring that a constant supply of fresh, clean water is available. Assess the suitability and quality of available water sources, be it natural or artificial.
Evaluating Natural Water Sources
If using a natural water source, such as a stream or pond, make sure it is appropriate. A stream is generally the superior choice, as long as it remains unpolluted throughout and within the paddock. Conversely, stagnant ponds or pools should be avoided and fenced off due to potential health risks.
Providing Artificial Water Supplies
For artificial water sources, opt for a large, easy-to-clean container that can be filled promptly with minimal effort. If a commercially produced drinking trough is unavailable, an old enamelled bathtub serves as a viable alternative. Sufficiently spacious for multiple horses, it can also be cleaned with relative ease.
The green slime that tends to form inside water receptacles, while seemingly innocuous, can be the breeding ground for harmful germs and parasites. It should not be allowed to remain in the container.
Never presume that a horse’s water needs are reduced merely because it grazes grass, which inherently contains some moisture. Regardless of the season or weather conditions, it’s essential to provide ample, clean water in order to maintain your horse’s health and overall well-being.
Summary
In summary, it’s essential to prioritize safety and cleanliness when managing paddocks, focusing on prime aspects such as regular inspection of fences and hedges, ensuring escape-proof fencing and gates, and providing access to fresh, clean water. Careful attention to these key factors ensures your horses remain healthy and content in their environment.
