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' � Ma'nure and Pasture Management for Recreational Horse Ovcmers Page 7 of 10 <br /> Overgraaing. Continuous grazing, or allowing horses access to the entire <br /> pasture from spring through fall, will make existing weed problems even worse. <br /> If allowed to continuously graze a pasture, horses can seriously reduce the <br /> forages' productivity. Under continuous grazing, forages never get a chance to <br /> recover and outgrow the weeds. Legumes such as alfalfa and other clovers will <br /> not survive if continuously grazed. Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass can <br /> tolerate continuous grazing but will be less productive than if managed under a <br /> rotational grazing plan. <br /> Carefully monitor your horses' grazing to maximize feed value. Continuous, <br /> close grazing, when horses eat the plants down to very short levels, will <br /> seriously stunt the regrowth of the plants and allow weeds such as thistles and <br /> other less desirable species such as bluegrass to get ahead of the desirable <br /> forages. Well-timed rotations through several, smaller-sized paddocks will help <br /> desirable plants reestablish themselves. <br /> Water. Like urban lawns and other field crops, horse pastures benefit from <br /> adequate water throughout the growing season. However, purchasing and <br /> maintaining irrigation equipment can be much more costly than occasionally " <br /> purchasing supplemental forage. Healthy plants that have not been overgrazed <br /> will be more productive during drought. <br /> Pasture Management Summary <br /> Table 4 summarizes management activities for grass pastures. Well-managed <br /> grass/legume pastures will not need supplemental nitrogen. After you have <br /> gotten to know how much your horses' grazing reduces the soil nutrients, you <br /> will not need to annually test your soil. <br /> Table 4. Pasture management calenc9ar <br /> Dates (approxirnate) Pasture Activity <br /> March 1 Animals out of pasture <br /> April Soil test and fertilize (end of month) <br /> mid-April Apply supplemental nitrogen (grass pastures) <br /> May 1-15 Begin grazing <br /> June Cut surplus forage for hay . <br /> http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/components/7540_OS.html 1/15/2013 <br />