THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL


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Seeding and Managing Small-Acreage Horse Pastures by Maryland Department of Agriculture Offi ce of Resource Conservation


Productive, well-managed pasture can provide most of the nutritional


requirements for horses during the growing season. But horse owners with small acreage often face challenges in managing their pastures to maintain desirable grass and legume species and maximize forage output. Without good management, small acreage horse pastures may become overgrazed and under-fertilized, leading to loss of the desirable forage species and the pasture being largely bare soil and weeds. Before you begin a pasture seeding or reseeding program, there is some


very basic information that you need. Good pasture management prac- tices are based upon knowledge of soil characteristics and productive capability, how plants grow and where on the plant growing points are located in diff erent plant species, the soil and climatic requirements of various pasture grasses and legumes, and how plants respond to grazing. Obtaining thick, vigorous new stands is dependent upon proper seed-


ing practices and favorable seedbed and environmental conditions. Proper soil pH and fertility, seedbed preparation, high quality seed of appropri- ate species and varieties of grasses and legumes, seeding at the right time, good seeding techniques with equipment correctly adjusted for appropri- ate seeding rate and depth, and adequate control of weeds and insects are among the key factors necessary to obtain thick, vigorous stands. In this article, we will provide lots of information you can use to develop lush, nutritious and productive pastures. For expert individualized advice and assistance, contact your local Soil Conservation District: https://mda. maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/technical_assistance.aspx


Planning for New Seedings - Start Early!


Ideally, preparations for seeding should begin as much as 2 years prior to the actual planting of seed, especially for no-till seedings where lime and fertilizer cannot be incorporated and mixed into the soil, but must be surface applied and allowed to sink in. Most old pastures and existing grasslands needing reseeding will require lime, fertilizer, and weed con- trol. T ese materials should be applied six to 24 months prior to seeding. Do not plan to reseed the entire pasture acreage at one time. Horses will need to be removed from the seeded areas until the plants become adequate- ly established to withstand grazing. Seedings made in late summer will usu- ally be ready for grazing the following May. Seedings made in late winter/ early spring will usually be ready for grazing three to four months later.


Control Existing Perennial Broadleaf Weeds


Perennial broadleaf weeds are usually present in older horse pastures, especially those that have been poorly managed, and may be present on


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cropland to be seeded for hay or pasture. Successful establishment of mixed grass and legume forage stands is dependent upon elimination of these weeds prior to seeding, either through tillage, herbicide applica- tion, or both. For best results, the weed control program should begin six months to a year before seeding. T e type of herbicide to be used will depend upon the composition of the existing vegetation and the seeding technique (tillage vs. no-tillage). Early fall (two to four weeks prior to the average killing frost date) is the most ef- fective time for application of herbicides to deep-rooted, hard-to-kill peren- nials such as dandelions, curly dock, milkweed, dogbane, and Canada thistle. Many herbicides must be applied by licensed pesticide applicators, and most commercial application equipment is designed for large fi elds and not suitable for use on small acreages. Also, many commercial applicators give priority to larger farm operations. So begin making contacts and arrangements for your needs at least two to three months prior to the target application time.


Liming and Fertilization


For best results, soil samples should be taken before liming. For tilled seedbeds seedings, soil samples should be taken to the depth of the plow layer (the depth to which the soil is plowed, commonly defi ned as 6 2/3 inches). For no-till seedings, two sets of samples should be taken – one from the 0 to 2 inch depth to determine surface pH and fertility and the other to the normal plow depth. Lime should ideally be applied six to 12 months prior to seeding and


thoroughly incorporated into the plow layer to neutralize soil acidity. With no-till seedings, surface applications should be made 1 to 2 years ahead of seeding to allow for movement into the soil profi le. Phosphorus (P) level is especially critical during establishment of pas-


tures. A readily available supply of P within reach of the roots of young seedlings is essential for normal root development and seedling establish- ment. By contrast, the demand for potassium (K) by young seedlings is relatively low. It is much more important once stands are established, when high levels are essential for maintaining productive, long-lived stands.


Matching Plants to Soil and Site Characteristics


Many factors need to be considered when selecting suitable grass and legume species. For example, not every horse pasture is suitable for orchard grass and bluegrass. Each plant species has its own particular characteristics, making it more or less suitable for a particular site,


soil continued... Learn more at MDA.MARYLAND.GOV/HOW THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | AUGUST 2024 | 41


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