Controlled or rotational grazing of pasture grasses requires some areas to periodically remain ungrazed to allow for regrowth.

Generally in the Northeast, 2 to 3 acres of good pasture per horse is needed for summer feeding.

A good management tool for horse facilities on limited acreage is to provide at least one all-weather paddock (an area of divided pasture) for foul weather turnout.

Known as a sacrifice lot, this area takes the worst wear to preserve the grass in the remaining paddocks.

This ungrassed exercise lot should be located away from water bodies and should have green vegetation surrounding it to act as a buffer, and catch any runoff water, nutrients and sediment.

A rotational grazing system is the best way to maximize forage production and consumption on limited pasture acreage. A group of compatible horses can graze a paddock for a few days, then be moved (rotated) to a fresh paddock.

Importance of pasture

Nutritional needs of horses vary considerably on age, weight and level of activity.

Horses naturally use forage as a primary component of their diets, since forages are a basic necessity for functioning of the digestive system. Forage needs are supplied most easily by pasture and hay.

Horses should consume at least 1 percent of their body weight in hay or pasture per day.

Mature horses generally consume 2 to 2.5 percent of their body weight in feed everyday (for a 1,000 pound horse that’s 20 to 25 pounds daily).

Horses do not digest low-quality forages effectively, so high quality forages are a must.

High-quality, properly fenced pastures are one of the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for a horse. It is also the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest.

Ron Fodor is manager of the Butler County Conservation District.