Pearl Snaps

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Forage Facts: Rotational Grazing of Horses

by Jesse Bussard

Many of our country’s horse pastures are in bad shape. Why you might ask? Well, this is due to many factors. Horses by nature tend to be the hardest type of animal to keep on pasture. While overgrazing is part of the culprit, the reality is that the many pastures are simply overstocked.

The grazing behavior of equines is an important factor that contributes to overgrazing. Horses’ biting style involves biting plants close to the ground causing severe issues for plant regrowth.

Other problems such as the habit of horses grouping together in certain areas can lead to soil compaction and stomping out forage in this area. This leads to increased soil erosion and weeds.

Another behavior trait of horses, selective grazing, is attributed to palatability of different forages and the different stages of maturity of those forages. If left continuously on pastures this behavior creates “lawns and ruffs” which appears as areas with short, new growth that are constantly overgrazed and other areas where forage is past the point of optimum maturity and palatability.

This selective behavior causes spot grazing which in time reduces the amount of forage horses consume and the quality of that forage. Areas that are  overgrazed become encroached with weeds over time. This in time can lead to a perfectly good pasture transforming into a weed patch or dry lot. To overcome these issues proper grazing management such as rotational grazing is highly recommended for horse owners.

Rotational grazing is a form of controlled grazing. This type of grazing management can be beneficial for horse farms, especially on small acreages.

Rotational grazing requires more than one pasture or subdividing larger pastures into two or more grazing cells. This can easily be done using temporary fencing.

Time allowed for grazing each cell will vary from a few days to several weeks. This is all dependent on stocking rate (number of animals per acre) and the rate of forage growth. While the smaller paddock size leads to higher stocking rates, the rest periods provided from moving horses from one cell to the next helps to extend the forage growing season. Additionally, spot grazing is reduced as horses do not spend extended periods grazing the same areas.

For rotational grazing system, pastures should be grazed only to a minimum height of 4-6 inches for warm season grasses and 2-4 inches for cool season grasses. By leaving plant material after each grazing period, plants are able to adequately photosynthesize nutrients to regrow (i.e. Grass grows grass!).

Fencing, water systems, and paddock sizes will vary by amount of available acreage and number of animals grazing. As with any management recommendation, rotational grazing will not work for every farm or every horse owner. Rotational grazing requires more intensive management as animals may need to be moved more or less frequently dependent on plant growth rate.

Horse owners interested in learning more about rotational grazing or other controlled grazing methods should contact their local cooperative extension or conservation offi ce. Many useful grazing manuals and extension publications are available free of charge to those interested.

Also, on occasion events called grazing schools are offered for producers. These provide the best opportunity to learn as individuals are able to get hands on experience with grazing management practices.

This article was originally featured as my June horse care column for Tack ‘n Togs. The pdf version can be accessed here.


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Horse Slaughter: A Hard Sell

By Jesse Bussard

Reports of the reinstatement of horse slaughter have remained constant in news media since the passage of an ag appropriations bill by Congress in November of 2011 that lifted the federal ban on horse slaughter, refunding federal inspection of horse meat. Along with these reports have come recent announcements of plans to build horse processing plants in some states.

One plan for a processing plant slated for Mountain Grove, Mo., in particular has been brought to a screeching halt by local residents. Proponents of the plan did their best to sell the idea to locals touting jobs and tax revenue. However, stories of community stigma, foul odors, and environmental concerns via testimony and public records gathered while the last three horse processing plants in the United States operated were more convincing.

Residents told Wyoming state legislator, Sue Wallis, and Chevideco, the Belgian company to sponsor the plant, “Go home! If we have a horse problem we’ll solve it ourselves. We don’t need her (Wallis) and a Belgium company coming in here.” With that bold-faced response, Unified Equine, run by Wallis and Chevideco, announced they’d look elsewhere.

Since then a plan for a processing plant in Oregon has been announced and hints of the possibility of another in middle Tennessee. Whether these two projects will be met with the same opposition is yet to be seen.

As I’ve said in previous columns, I personally do not feel that there will be any horses slaughtered on U.S. soil anytime soon. The recent shutdown of the plan in Missouri shows me that it’s going to take more than the promise of some jobs and money to convince people that horse slaughter is a good thing.

In addition, a January poll conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which telephone surveyed 1,008 registered voters, found that 80% of respondents were opposed to the slaughter of U.S. horses for human consumption. The ASPCA’s poll provides further evidence that the general public isn’t buying what horse slaughter proponents are selling. There is an element of questionability as to the demographics of the ASPCA sample pool, but with that aside, the evidence is still pretty convincing to me.

At one time, I was fully on the side of the pro-horse slaughter crowd. But over time, through various conversations and watching the progression of the pro- and anti-horse slaughter campaigns, I’ve become skeptical. Though I may understand the benefits of slaughter, the general public does not, and to be quite honest, I don’t think they want to.

The fact is the concept of consuming horse meat has become taboo and unfathomable to most in everyday society. Americans have not consumed horse meat since during the World War II era. And because of this, the reintroduction of horse slaughter into the United States is a hard, may I say almost impossible, sell.

I’m not trying to be pessimistic here, just realistic. We can sit and argue the pros and cons of horse slaughter until we’re blue in the face. But I have a feeling that all the convincing in the world won’t change the general public’s view of the practice.

In the end, arguing does neither side any good. The reality is we’ve got an unwanted horse problem in this country, and the sooner we stop arguing, the sooner we can start finding solutions.

This article was originally featured as my May View from the Range column for Tack ‘n Togs. You can access a pdf version here.

Related news:

New Mexico Governor to USDA: Deny Horse Processing Permit


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Falling into Winter

by Jesse Bussard

This is my mare, Era, a 25 yr old Arab mare. She appreciates her blanket in the winter since as she's developed "thermostat problems" in her old age.

We’re halfway through fall and on the verge of winter. The cool, crisp weather has had many riders out on the trail enjoying the changing of the leaves in parts of the country that experience distinct seasons. Winter will be here before we know it and along with it several things to consider that will keep your horses happy and healthy the whole season long.

Lower winter temperatures cause an increase in horses’ dietary energy requirements as it takes more energy to maintain body heat. Because of this, owners should consider whether or not it is necessary to adjust their horse’s feeding program to compensate for their increased energy needs. Energy needs can increase by as much as 10-25% during colder weather. Providing roughage in the form of quality forage will help with this as a large amount of heat is generated during the digestion process. Along with quality forage, be sure to offer a mineral and salt supplement.

Depending on what area of the country horse owners live in, they may want to consider blanketing their horses. Whether or not to blanket your horse depends on several factors: climate, riding schedule, horse’s ability to grow a sufficient winter coat, and age-related “thermostat problems.” By providing an extra layer of warmth the horse’s energy requirement to maintain body heat is reduced slightly allowing for better maintenance of body condition.

If blanketing is an option, horse owners should be sure to purchase a blanket that is the correct fit for their horse. If unsure what size is needed, a measurement from the center of the chest to the point of the rump where the blanket ends will help determine the correct size. The right size and fit will ensure that the horse is comfortable and free from chaffing and irritation.

For horses shod throughout the winter, in regions that snow is prevalent, snow may pack into horse’s hooves making it difficult to walk.

This is Kid, my Paint gelding and retired barrel horse. He's 20 yrs old now and has a habit of standing out in the snow/rain. His waterproof blanket keeps him warm and dry.

This snow packing is caused by the snow’s affinity to stick to the inner rim of the metal shoe and freeze causing snowballs to form. But with the advent of the snow pad and rim pad, this problem can be averted. These pads are specially designed to prevent snow pack in hooves.

Riding in winter can sometimes be a challenge. If an intense and frequent exercise schedule remains part of a horse’s life during the winter months special precautions should be made to make sure the horse is properly cooled down to prevent chill. Clipping horses to allow quicker cool down in winter after workouts is one method, but because of reduced insulation these horses must be stalled and blanketed to stay warm. Use of a quarter-blanket beneath the saddle to wick sweat and prevent chill can also be helpful. Quarter blankets cover the hindquarters and are usually made of a fleece or wool. Leg straps keep the blankets in place.

One last important thing to be aware of is that your horses are vaccinated against high-risk diseases and on a regular deworming schedule going into winter. Horses are at higher risk for respiratory diseases going into winter. Consult a veterinarian to find out the major diseases to vaccinate for in your area.

These tips were just a few of the vast list of things horse owners should consider as winter approaches. For a more extensive list of considerations contact your veterinarian, farrier, or local equine extension agent. By ensuring that horses are happy and healthy during the winter months, you and your horses will both be able to make it through the winter a little easier.

This article was originally featured in the November issue of Tack ‘n Togs as my monthly horse care column. You can access the pdf file version here.

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