dianneS
Loving the herd life
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2009
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- 974
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I have WAY more pasture than I do animals, and its good quality too, gets mowed and fewer weeds than most of my neighbors.
I would say that in the fall/winter, our pasture isn't grazed "short" until January or February. By the time it starts to look really short, the new growing season starts and we've got fresh spring grass, just in the nick of time.
I just opened a new pasture this year that is three times the size of the pasture I had the horses on last year.
I know that the nutrient levels will drop in the grasses, but I've put hay out for my horses during the day, and they still prefer the grass. They don't bother with the hay until the pasture is grazed short in January.
So how much hay would I really need for them under these circumstances? Should I still give them hay in the pasture during the day? Is some "busy hay" in their stalls at night all they should need? Should I give them free choice of grass or hay all season?
Basically, how much should I depend upon my pasture for my horses roughage intake? They do get grain twice a day for the added nutrition.
I would say that in the fall/winter, our pasture isn't grazed "short" until January or February. By the time it starts to look really short, the new growing season starts and we've got fresh spring grass, just in the nick of time.
I just opened a new pasture this year that is three times the size of the pasture I had the horses on last year.
I know that the nutrient levels will drop in the grasses, but I've put hay out for my horses during the day, and they still prefer the grass. They don't bother with the hay until the pasture is grazed short in January.
So how much hay would I really need for them under these circumstances? Should I still give them hay in the pasture during the day? Is some "busy hay" in their stalls at night all they should need? Should I give them free choice of grass or hay all season?
Basically, how much should I depend upon my pasture for my horses roughage intake? They do get grain twice a day for the added nutrition.