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' M�nure and Pasture Management for Recreational Horse Owners Page 5 of 10 <br /> The stocking rate per acre does not change <br /> under a rotational grazing plan. The general <br /> rule of thumb is to start your horses grazing <br /> in a paddock when the forages are at least 6 <br /> to 10 inches long; move your horses after <br /> they have grazed the forage to an average <br /> height of 3 to 4 inches. (If bluegrass is the <br /> dominant forage, horses can graze it down to <br /> 2 inches and then get turned back into the <br /> pasture when it has reached a height of 6 to <br /> 8 inches.) <br /> P.xtciai_L i �4i:kicxi,7 A�'n:icYcxk: � i4��:xx6•1 <br /> I 1 I <br /> ���iouoable,,,�J _d----`I - <br /> � e ncr�k-�- I <br /> �I�ti:Uaxcr f L�}`Uftater <br /> T 9 T <br /> �t+rnmcecr Fr.ncc <br /> �igure 5. <br /> Rotational graaing paddock layout <br /> . For example, say you have two horses and <br /> four acres of pasture with uniform soil type, <br /> topography, plant species, and yield <br /> throughout the entire area. You could divide <br /> the pasture into four one-acre paddocks and <br /> graze the horses for one week per paddock. <br /> This will give each paddock three weeks to <br /> regrow. If regrowth is slower, you'll need to <br /> supplement the pasture with hay. If the <br /> growth is faster, you'll need to rotate more <br /> often or make hay from the paddock. <br /> Undergrazing (grazing too few horses on too <br /> large of a paddock for too short of a grazing <br /> period) can encourage horses to selectively <br /> http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturakesources/components/7540_OS.html. 1/15/2013 <br />