Pasture and Hay for Horses

of 2 to 3 inches after horses are moved to a new paddock helps to control weeds prevents grasses from heading and generally keeps the pasture in better condition.
Drag pastures with a chain link harrow at least once a year. Dragging helps to spread manure droppings reducing parasite populations by exposing them to air and sunlight. Dragging also helps to smooth over areas dug up by horses hoofs on wet soil.
Apply fertilizer as needed. Improved horse pastures must be fertilized annually if legumes and grasses are to persist and remain productive. Fertilizer choice depends on pasture species present. The best way to establish fertilizer requirements is to have a complete soil test every two or three years.
Hay
Highquality hay can provide most of the nutrients needed for a mature horse. The hay should be cut early and be leafy green and free of mold dust and foreign matter such as weeds and stubble. Horses readily consume good hay which is rich in energy protein minerals and vitamins.
People used to think that horses should not be fed legume hay because it would cause digestive disorders. But research has dispelled this notion. Respiratory or digestive disturbances associated with feeding hay are more likely caused by dust and mold than by mixtures. Straight legume hay or legumegrass mixed hay is a desirable feed if cut early. The hay should be leafy and free of molds and dust.
Wellmanaged legumegrass hays generally are higher in protein and minerals than are straight grasses under similar management. But time of cutting and other haymaking practices affect protein and mineral levels. With good management most hay species or mixtures can be satisfactory for horses. Alfalfa hay while normally high in protein may contain an excessive amount of calcium in relationship to phosphorus wide Ca P ratio when fed as

the sole source of forage to young growing horses.
To be sure of the nutritive quality of the hay being fed you must have it analyzed. For more information on testing forages contact your county extension office.
Hay production
If you plan to grow and harvest your own hay the steps listed below will help you to consistently produce high yields of good hay.
Select adapted species varieties and mixtures. In general simple mixtures consisting of a single legume such as alfalfa and a single grass such as timothy are preferred over straight legume or straight grass seedings. The Penn State Agronomy Guide available through your county extension office is an excellent source of information on species and mixture selection.
Fertilize annually. A complete soil test is the best guide to proper fertilization. If soil test information is unavailable topdress legumegrass stands annually with a minimum of 50 pounds of phosphate and 150 pounds of potash e. g. 500 pounds of 01030 fertilizer or equivalent per acre. If your hay field contains less than a 30 percent stand of legumes you can increase yield by applying 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre in late winter or early spring