![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yourhorsefarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/jan-machacek-CA3TovyUCA0-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWe all know just how important pasture is for our horses, but managing our grazing areas also
\ntakes some work. Whether you have two or two hundred acres, the following tips can help you
\nmanage your pastures so they can provide the most benefit for your horses.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Getting your soil tested is a good place to start any pasture management plan. A soil test will
\nreveal the current nutrient profile and pH level. Soil test kits can be obtained from your local
\ncounty extension office or an analytical laboratory.<\/p>\n
Once you know your soil\u2019s nutrient and pH levels, you can treat it accordingly. Maintaining
\nproper soil pH is necessary for healthy forages. A pH of 7 is neutral while a pH greater than 7 is
\nbasic and less than 7 is acidic. Grasses do best in soils with a pH between 6-7. For basic soils,
\nlime can be used for treatment.<\/p>\n
Plants also need proper nutrients for growth and reproduction. The soil test will report on levels
\nof nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). If deficient, these nutrients should be added
\nto the soil. Again, your local county extension office can help you determine what should be
\nused for treatment.<\/p>\n
Regular mowing helps to keep pasture grasses healthy and weeds in check. Mowing at the
\nproper height is important, however. Because grasses store their energy reserves in the bottom
\nfew inches of the plant, mowing too low can hinder their ability to regrow. Instead, opt to
\nmaintain a height of 2-3 inches for short grass species like perennial ryegrass and bluegrass.
\nFor taller species like orchard grass or timothy, it\u2019s best to mow at a height of 3-5 inches.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yourhorsefarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Horse-in-Pasture-32_alt.jpg\")
<\/h3>\nHorses and other grazing animals can cause significant stress and\/or damage to pastures.
\nTherefore, adequate rest for pastures is crucial. This can be achieved with rotational or strip
\ngrazing. As stocking density increases, rest becomes even more important. Removing horses
\nfrom stressed pastures is essential for allowing them to recover.<\/p>\n
Some pastures will need reseeding of grasses as well. Spring and late summer are the best
\ntimes of year to plant. If needed, lime should be applied at least 6 months prior to reseeding. It\u2019s
\nimportant to keep horses off newly seeded pastures for several months to allow plants time to
\nbecome established.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We all know just how important pasture is for our horses, but managing our grazing areas also takes some work. Whether you have two or two hundred acres, the following tips can help you manage your pastures so they can provide the most benefit for your horses. TEST YOUR SOIL Getting your soil tested is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-farm"],"yoast_head":"\n