Introduction
Pasture management is an important aspect of horsekeeping and equine property management. This publication provides an overview of rotational grazing, including practical recommendations and examples for implementation. The information that follows is intended for equine owners, equine facility managers, and county Extension faculty working in the areas of livestock and natural resources.
What Is Rotational Grazing?
Rotational grazing provides alternating rest and growth periods for grass and can improve pasture utilization and forage production (Sollenberger et al. 2018; Vendramini and Sollenberger 2020). The rest period, which is absent in continuous grazing, allows forage to build new leaves and replenish root reserves. Skipping this rest period can eventually thin the forage and invite weeds.
Simply put, as the number of paddocks increases, so does the percent utilization because there is less waste. Horses tend to be selective grazers. When horses are concentrated on small areas, they do not have as much chance to be selective and will graze more uniformly. Subdividing pastures into smaller paddocks requires the expense of extra fencing. Temporary fencing for paddocks using electric fencing can be an economical option in place of permanent cross fencing (Burdine et al. 2008).
Implementing Rotational Grazing
To get started, try a two-week break between grazing events. Do not graze below about a 3-inch forage height. Paddocks can be mowed after horses are removed to cut back weeds and to even the grass height; mow at a height above 3 inches. Dividing the pasture into 2 paddocks is simplest, but adding more paddocks will provide greater control and will likely increase production. If the size of the property supports having 4 paddocks, each could be grazed for a week and then rested for 3 weeks. One area will need to become a “sacrifice” lot because horses will always have access to it no matter which paddock they are grazing. This “sacrifice” area will house their water, feed troughs, and shade structures (if necessary). Figures 1 and 2 provide example layouts for grazing paddocks and sacrifice lots.
Dragging of the pastures can be incorporated in the paddock rotations. When temperatures go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit with no rain for several days in a row, parasite eggs cannot survive. That makes it safe to “drag” pastures with a harrow or length of chain-link fence to break up manure piles. Keep horses on a different paddock for a week to give the sun time to kill the parasite larvae. Drag the paddock after horses are moved to the next grazing area. Dragging during cooler, wetter weather spreads viable parasite eggs around the paddock, contaminating the entire area rather than just the waste areas horses naturally avoid.
Representations of Potential Paddock Layouts for Rotational Grazing Systems
Credit: Laura Bennett
Credit: Laura Bennett
References
Burdine, K., B. Coleman, and T. Missun. 2008. “Temporary Fencing for Horse Pastures.” ID-165. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. https://publications.ca.uky.edu/sites/publications.ca.uky.edu/files/id165.pdf
Sollenberger, L. E., J. M. B. Vendramini, J. C. B. Dubeux, and M. Wallau. 2018. “Grazing Management Concepts and Practices: SS-AGR-92/AG160, rev. 5/2018.” EDIS 2018 (4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ag160-2002
Vendramini, J., and L. Sollenberger. 2020. “Impact of Grazing Methods on Forage and Cattle Production: SS-AGR-133.” EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG268