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How to Keep a Horse at Pasture

Why do we use pastures?

• Natural environment for horses.
• To be outside.
• To have companionship.
• To eat grass.
• Coat naturally sheds and grows for outdoor living.
• Less work in barn; less disposal of manure/bedding.
• Horses have fewer vices - not as bored or lonely as in a stall.
• Feed bills may be reduced June—September due to grazing.

What are some challenges when using pastures?

• In summer, heat and insects.
• In winter, extreme cold/wet weather.
• Need multiple pastures, which requires more land.
• Overgrazing; weeds grow, grass doesn't because it is so short.
• Grass has no food value in winter.
• Must introduce spring grass slowly to prevent *colic and *laminitis.
• Drought.
• Extreme wet ground.
• *Parasites.
• Can be hard to catch some horses in pasture.
• More injuries occur when kept with other horses.
• More grooming necessary.
• Not as convenient as stabling.

What herd behavior is found in a pasture?

• Herd in pasture differs from herd in the wild.
• Horses in pastures can't choose their herd mates.
• They find safety in numbers.
• Herd needs strong leadership from dominant horse to feel secure.
• Dominant horse is often a mare.
• They have a pecking order based on:
• Individual personalities—aggressive/submissive
• Age
• Physical ability
• Very social animals/groom each other.
• Horses in herds are easily excited/get each other excited.
• Flight animals/not natural fighters, except when it comes to food/mares.

What elements make up a good pasture?

• Size—minimum of 1–3 acres per horse/do not overcrowd.
• Fencing (minimum height 3' 9" to 5')
• Post and rail.
• Post and galvanized wire.
• Addition of electric wire prevents damage from chewing/leaning.
• Never use barbed wire
• Sturdy gates (at least 4'wide).
• Secure latches—easy for people, hard for horses.
• Nutritious grass—well maintained.
• Water—clean and plentiful/no stagnant water.
• Good drainage.
• Shelter/Shade
• Run-in Shed—Three sided structure with roof, protection from direct sun and northerly winds.
• (10' X 10' per horse)
• Large door way to pasture for adequate entrance/exit
• Natural Shelter—Trees (not as good protection insects/weather)

What kind of maintenance is required?

• Control weeds and parasites.
• Regular mowing 4–8".
• Fertilizing in spring.
• Removal of manure.
• Harrowing(a drag with teeth) in late July to expose parasite eggs.

Rotate pastures.

• To prevent overgrazing.
• To rest (grass can grow; parasite eggs in manure die/lack of host).
• Weed control/fertilizer.

Check horses daily.

Keep fence and gates in good repair.

Remove foreign objects from pasture.

Check for potholes/uneven ground.

*Colic (symptom) abdominal pain.

*Laminitis is a painful hoof disease.

*Parasite is an organism that attaches itself to a host (horse) for nourishment. Eggs found in manure.

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