Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 107

the rider

Island Life - August/September 2010

Seasonal Tips to make the most
of your Pasture

The field or paddock that your
horse lives in serves many
different purposes; food source,
exercise area, latrine and a secure
environment to socialise with
other horses. Whether your horse
lives out 24/7 or is turned out
for a few hours a day, pasture
management is of the utmost importance to your horse’s
health and welfare.
The BHS recommend a ratio of two horses per hectare on
permanent grazing (1 - 1.5 acres per horse). A number of
factors will affect this recommendation, such as:
• Size and type of horse/pony
• Length of time spent stabled or exercised off the pasture
• Time of year
• Quality of the pasture and underlying soil
• Number of animals on the pasture
Maintaining good quality pasture is easier the more acres
you have available. The pasture can then be segregated into
paddocks, allowing some to rest to keep the pasture in good
condition, while others are grazed and managed accordingly.
Horses are selective grazers making them poor utilisers
of pasture. Over grazing and poor management can result
in the pasture becoming ‘horse sick’. Horse sick pasture
develops into ‘roughs’ (unpalatable areas, avoided by horses)
and ‘lawns’ (overgrazed, sparse areas). Weeds tend to take
over ‘lawns’ and pasture re-growth is often poor due to the
reduced soil nutrients.
Here is a guide of what to do at different times of the year

to maintain or improve your pasture:
SUMMER
Early summer – Weeds must be controlled as early as
possible. Any poisonous plants such as ragwort should
always be immediately removed. Seek expert advice on
controlling weeds. If a herbicide is required, this is
normally applied when weeds are actively growing.
Reseed poor pasture.
June/July onwards - Top the pasture to remove long,
stalky grass and rough areas. Topping improves the
pasture by encouraging the grass to establish a thick turf.
Horses must not be allowed to graze the pasture until
any cut grass has completely dried out or been removed.
Harrowing/rolling if conditions were too wet earlier
in the year, or it is required.
AUTUMN
September/October - Weed control - Ensure
weeds are removed before they seed.
Trim back hedges and trees whilst they are dormant.
Maintain existing drainage by keeping ditches clear of
plants and debris.
November - Prepare winter paddocks by checking
for and removing weeds and carrying out any fencing
or water supply maintenance.
For more information please visit www.bhs.org.uk and go to
Horse Care where advice leaflets can be downloaded.

Fund raising race night - Medina foodservice team in the ‘steaks’
Caroline Ross and her staff team from Medina
Foodservice enjoyed a ‘Race’ night at Brickfields, Ryde on
the 26th June 2010. The event was organised by Jennie
Lewis and Doreen Gant of the IOW Branch of the Motor
Neurone Disease (MND) association.
Medina Foodservice kindly sponsored the food for the
evening and a total of £322.21 was raised for the local
MND branch.
The local MND committee works hard to raise vital
funds to help IOW people living with MND. The
committee really can make a difference with practical
help such as eating, talking or walking aids but these all
cost money so an on-going programme of fund raising
events takes place throughout the year.
For more information on MND please contact the Island
helpline on 07922 123416 or see the local website –
www.mndiw.org

Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com

Photo contributed: Left - Caroline Ross, Carole Reed, Sarah Lewis, Cory Williams,
Gary Ball & Daniel Ringer

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