Grassland Management

These are the worst of the winter months, the important thing at this time of year is to minimise the damage to your paddocks. Try to reduce the amount of poaching (wearing out of the grass) by not leaving your horse out too long. Keep poo picking your paddocks as poo left on the ground does restrict grass growth.

It is beneficial to harrow your paddock(s). Harrowing has the benefit of removing any dead grass and moss, aerating the grass and dispersing any poo heaps and mole hills. When the temperature starts to rise a quality fertiliser such as Suregrow Fertiliser should be applied. Fertilising replenishes the nutrients lost over winter and gives the grass the nutrients it requires to stimulate good growth. When there is no risk of frost paddocks can be rolled, there is little benefit to the grass, but rolling does make the paddock look better and it can flatten out divots and ruts. You don’t want to roll if the ground is too dry.

This is the time of year to repair or reseed your paddocks, the Suregrow range of grass seed mixes are blended specially for horse and pony paddocks. We have products to meet different situations such as reseeding, repairing heavily trafficked areas like gateways and feeding areas, and a specialist Laminitic mix which produces lower soluble carbohydrate and sugar content grass.

Grass growth is at its greatest during May and June but be careful not to give your horse(s) too much fresh grass to avoid the risk of laminitis, if necessary strip grazing can be used. The benefit of Suregrow Fertiliser is that the slow release nitrogen produces a more sustained grass growth without the flush associated with traditional fertilisers. Weed growth will be strong at this time of year so it is the ideal time to carry out weed control which is usually done by spraying, be sure to follow all the instructions on any weed killers used.

These are the true summer months for all to enjoy, in periods of drought try not to overgraze your paddock(s). In very hot weather it is good practise to keep your horse inside during the hottest part of the day and turn out overnight. Poo picking is especially important as it will reduce the grass growing area, risk scorching the grass and will attract flies. Topping any excessive growth or seeded grass should be carried out, this can help stimulate growth.

This is the end of summer the days get cooler and there is usually an autumn flush of grass growth, giving your paddock(s) a top dressing of fertiliser will encourage this growth. The benefit of grass growth at this time of year is that the thicker and denser the grass is going into winter the better it will be protected over the winter. Reseeding and patching of bare patches can be carried out at this time.

This is the start of winter, try and protect your grassland as much as possible by not over grazing your paddock(s) and keep any poaching to a minimum. As always keep poo picking whatever the weather.

Avoid overgrazing or overstocking – Overgrazed paddocks have a reduced quality of pasture and as the weeds replace grass they quickly look untidy and unkept. The environment becomes less healthy for horses, the feed value decreases and problems arise. The general rule of thumb with regards to grazing density if 2 acres for the first horse and 1 acre thereafter.

Where possible, it is a good idea for horses to strip graze behind a moveable electric fence, allowing them to be moved strip by strip. Introducing a back fence will allow re-growth on the grazed area. Any weed growth occurring behind can be addressed and all manure removed.

One of the most satisfying aspects of grassland management is keeping weeds in check to give summer pastures a boost. It simply consists of cutting unnecessary seed heads therefore stimulating vigorous growth. Most weeds don’t like being cut, so topping in July before the seeds drop will result in them becoming exhausted and perish. Poisonous ragwort becomes more palatable to horses and ponies when cut and dried, so the plants should be pulled up and burnt before the clusters of yellow flowers appear.

Topping by mowing will help give a durable grass sward – this in itself is a most effective barrier to weeds.

Keeping out unwanted weeds is not so hard. Spray with a selective herbicide using a paddock maintenance contractor or use your own knapsack spray. Always take professional advice. Some weeds can be annual so when they have been cut or grazed they will not return, provided that they are cut or grazed before they head to seed.

Use Suregrow Fertiliser at the start and end of the season to maintain a thick sward.

If you have a greener view a useful tool is a pasture knife which with a regular walk around your pasture will give good control of nettles and thistles (better suited to smaller areas).

Ragwort is best dug out and burned, do not leave any roots and always wear gloves.

Grassland benefits from harrowing early in the season, dispersing mole hills, raking moss or weeds and more importantly letting air and light to the base of the sward benefiting the finer grasses.

This is for appearances, stone dispersal and water damage repair. Rolling should take place immediately after rainfall. Ground conditions should be such that tractor wheels should just leave a mark which will then be removed by the roller.

Heavily poached areas such as gateways and around feed troughs should be re-seeded using an easily established, fast growing hard wearing grass such as FAST GRASS. For larger bare areas or for re-seeding use PADDOCK GRASS.

We would recommend a tow ball drawn spreader or a 3 point linkage type (although the 3 point linkage type spreaders can only be used with a tractor). The tow ball types can fit onto any vehicle with a tow bar (Gator types, sit on lawn mower, quad bikes, car etc.). The hand push types are hard work and can give an uneven spread pattern on rutted ground.

If you’re interested in purchasing a spreader to apply Suregrow Fertiliser we recommend the following brands.

‘Logic’ – http://www.logictoday.co.uk/

Logic Manufacturing Ltd has been producing top quality equipment for farming, gamekeeping and forestry for many years and since the early 90’s has worked closely with the equestrian industry to provide a range of specialist products to help carry out essential tasks quickly and efficiently.

Fertiliser spreading is covered by a range of models suitable for two to two hundred acres, all of which are designed for the job and built to last. Having the ability to spread fertiliser when you want to, rather than when a contractor or friendly farmer can do the job, is worth a great deal and a lot better for your paddocks.

The range includes mounted as well as ground driven models, all of which are easy to operate and can be fitted to or towed by any suitable vehicle.

Agri Fab – http://www.agri-fab.com/
Fleming – https://www.fleming-agri.co.uk/home

A well maintained paddock will provide you with healthy horses, lower feed costs and a feeling of satisfaction!