Horse Pasture Management

Horse Pasture Management begins with coverage of the structure, function and nutritional value of plants, instructing those working in and studying equine management how to identify pasture grasses and legumes, as well as weeds and toxic plants. Management of the soil and plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses and calculation of how many horses should be grazing relative to the land available. A section on turf management is included for those interested in equestrian sports who may need to design, create and maintain a course for events or races. Also featured is a section on how to make and preserve hay and silage. The section on weather, climate and plant hardiness is useful for those working in less familiar regions where they may not have knowledge of which types of forage plants thrive. Environmental protection related to agriculture and manure management are also covered, as well as the risks involved with and solutions for too much water, too little drainage and too much traffic in a limited area. The number of metabolic problems from which horses may suffer depending on how they are managed on pasture is also featured, as well as interaction with the wildlife in and surrounding a horse farm, with techniques for wildlife encouragement and control. Contributions are rounded out with a chapter explaining the economic benefits of improvements in pasture management.

Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and studyCovers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environment, and feeding needs of the animals to ensure horse welfare and healthIncludes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concernsHighlights case studies of successful existing extension programs

1. Forage plant structure, function, nutrition and growth
2. Identification of forage plant species
3. Nutritional value of pasture plants for horses
4. Soils for horse pasture management
5. Introduction to pasture ecology
6. Pasture establishment, maintenance and renovation
7. Forage yield and its determination
8. Grazing behavior, feed intake and feed choices
9. Managing equine grazing for pasture productivity
10. Multi-species grazing
11. Hay and silage production and management
12. Climate, weather and plant hardiness
13. Matching plant species to your environment, weather and climate
14. Manure, erosion and water quality
15. Fencing and watering systems
16. Pasture related diseases and disorders
17. Co-existing with wildlife
18. The University  of Kentucky extension pasture evaluation program