Autumn has begun and King Winter is approaching. The horse keeper who wants to keep his horses outside in the winter without any problems has to do a lot for that. Good pasture management all year round is necessary. It requires a lot of time and effort, but with a good approach you will be well rewarded for it.
Preventing winter damage
It goes without saying that maintaining a meadow in winter is not an easy job. Mud, rain, dirty things, heavy soil, it’s all part of it.
That is why it is recommended to keep a close eye on pasture management throughout the year. In the beginning of autumn you can then do a final check and quickly do some final chores.
- Make sure there is enough shelter. Repair leaks and holes in the shelter. Prune the hedge or trees one last time so that they are in top condition.
- If the soil is wet, it is best to provide a solid extra surface around and in the stable. It is important that the horses have at least 1 dry place available. For this you can rely on rubber stable mats, paving in and around the stable or a good layer of sand. It prevents wet feet forever and the horses will be grateful that they can also lie down there.
- Always remove the manure from the meadow. Places where horses fatten get large grass towers. Horses will not eat here because of the risk of infection and worm contamination. By removing the manure daily you prevent this phenomenon and the meadow is eaten evenly everywhere.
- Check the fence and repair where necessary. Nothing as frustrating as standing in the biting cold and lashing rain fiddling with screws, bolts and pieces of wire when your horse has gone out to explore the area.
- Close off part of your pasture and leave it alone all winter. Alternate this piece every year as well.
- Are there bald spots in the meadow? Then it is up to you to sow it. The best periods for this are March / April and May / June. Grass growth peaks at these times.
- Provide enough roughage to get through the winter. Keep in mind that the horses often break this part of your pasture. Reseeding in the spring is very important here if you want to avoid weeds.
- Invest in a good drinking system. Water bowls that are resistant to freezing are preferred. Place the water bowl in an easily accessible place if you need to cut ice every day.
- Avoid molehills during the year. They not only pose a risk of soil subsidence. When the meadow is mowed, that sand also ends up in the hay undesirably.
- Do not drive heavy vehicles on the grass.
- In (extremely) wet weather it is best to keep the horses indoors. Not only can they slide ugly, the grass is also trampled and the soil is turned into a mud paradise.
- Don’t let your grass go into winter for too long. Long grass dies and suffocates the sod. This is an excellent opportunity for weeds to get a solid edge.
- Avoid too much and too intensive grazing. It slows down your turf’s growth process and gives fast-growing weeds a head start.
- If your plot of land is big enough, consider installing a Paddock Paradise. The horses are obliged to move. You also have control over which areas are open for grazing and which are allowed to rest.
- The meadow has become a muddy mess, hasn’t it? Not a single whip survived? Then you will have to sow again. Mow the newly sown pasture before leaving the horses on it. It gives the opportunity to form a firm sod and you avoid too high a fructan content.
- Are you the proud owner of pollard willows on your pasture? Then have them pollard in time from October. It provides a boost in their growth and moisture absorption. Horses often also like the branches very much. Trees with too many branches run the risk of tearing and dying because of the immense weight. Pollard willows also ensure that your soil stays drier and does not acidify as quickly.
Winter-resistant grasses
Grass species that are suitable for pasture grazing in winter are of enormous importance. They not only provide variation in the diet. They also prevent you from being left with a battlefield every year. Keep this in mind if you have to re-sow the meadow.
- Late English ryegrasses: These grasses have a good to very good autumn growth and form a good, sturdy sod.
- Meadow snake flower: This plant does very well in moisture and cold. Grows well in wetter soils such as clay soil and loam.
- Timothy: Is a hardy plant. Contains a lot of crude fiber that is healthy for a horse’s digestion.
- Red swivel: Can withstand cold and frost. This plant does not mind being in the shade either.
- Field broom grass: This grass species is resistant to drought and does well in drier winter pastures.