Land Management

Key positive and simple changes to land management include the following.  Each is explained below:

• Avoid using fertiliser, this will over time help to reduce the rye grass content of the sward.
• Continue to regularly remove dung and use mixed grazing if possible. Rest pastures and introduce species with natural parasitic control – e.g. bird’s foot trefoil.
• Only top where absolutely necessary, maintain a varied sward height.
• Avoid rolling.
• Control pernicious weeds by pilling or digging up.

• Fertility

  It is rarely necessary to apply fertiliser to pasture grazed by horses.

  This comes with cost savings and avoids oil-based dependence.

  Managing horses presents many challenges, but generally less productive grassland swards are likely to provide a more appropriate forage for horses.

  The species in a native mixed sward have adapted to low fertility soils and will do well when fertility is low.

  This contrasts with productive Rye grass species that have been developed to rely on regular applications of fertiliser.

  In applying fertiliser to pasture, the Rye grass species will always be favoured to the detriment of other species and the wildlife dependent upon them.

• Worming

  Horses are the only domestic grazing animal that creates latrine areas, these being the areas in which they do their droppings.

  Horses then avoid grazing these areas to reduce re-infesting themselves with the parasites in the dung.

  This can create ‘roughs and lawns’ across a pasture and put more pressure on the other parts of the field where grazing is concentrated.

  Horse owners are well aware of the benefits of removing dung from the field regularly, carrying out worm counts on their horses and using very targeted worming.

  Parasites can also be reduced by mixed grazing with sheep or cattle to help break the life cycle of the parasite, and resting pasture for extended periods especially during hot spells or frost can also be beneficial.

  Some plant species are natural parasite controllers when ingested.

• Topping

  Topping fields will encourage grass to tiller (grow side shoots) and increase productivity and so should be approached with caution.

  It is a way to manage latrine areas as the grass will grow up in these areas due to the increased nutrient levels, but as horses are selective grazers, they will choose to eat different species at different times so some difference in sward height is due to the natural grazing habits of horses and can benefit wildlife.

• Rolling

  Rolling can increase the problem of compaction, looking at the causes and longer term solutions would be more prudent.

  Control of poisonous and pernicious weeds should be carried out by pulling or digging up.