Grassroots approach: How to help equestrian land recover after a wet winter
As we head from a wet winter into spring, ADAS Agri-environment Technical Director Terry Finch advises equine owners on how to help land recover in the March 2024 edition of British Showjumping magazine.
The outdoor environment in which a horse spends time can greatly impact its overall health, inside and out. From the state of its hooves to the nutrients it enjoys through grazing, keeping your pasture in good condition truly benefits your horse from the ground up.
Every pasture comes with its own challenges and considerations, and the right choices for both your land and your horse can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the space available, proximity to water sources – such as springs, streams or rivers – and soil type. Underpinning everything is the overall soil health.
Beneath the surface
Whatever your pasture concern, the first place to look is the soil. “Soils are critical to the sustainability of grassland environments,” explains Terry. “Healthy soil has biological, chemical and physical functions. Knowing what soil types are present on your land can help you manage them better and understand how they will react to waterlogging and drought conditions.”
Characteristics she highlights include the presence of earthworms and microbes to break down organic matter; the pH and nutrient properties for plant growth; and soil structure, which functions to “support plant roots, regulate the flow of water and enable the exchange of gases with the atmosphere.”
The makings of a healthy soil
Structure is a key indicator of soil health and assessing samples will help to identify causes of any ongoing problems, while soil advisers can provide insight into the best management plan for you. “Healthy soils will have good structure, be porous, have well distributed root systems, good levels of organic matter (average five per cent), and plenty of soil organisms, such as worms and beetles,” reveals Terry.
“Soils in poor health may have poor structure, show large blocky aggregates, poor root penetration, low levels of organic matter and microbial activity. There may be discolouring, compaction, poor drainage or evidence of erosion, depending on the soil type.”
Pastures can suffer over the winter in particular, with issues like overgrazing and poaching (the breaking down of soil underfoot). This is characterised by damage to the existing flora, leaving patches of exposed earth and increasing vulnerability to erosion. However, there are restorative measures that can be taken as we enter the warmer months.
Spring into action
Land that has not fared well over winter can be improved as spring arrives, but don’t wait too long before acting. “If the land has been badly poached, use a chain harrow with spikes down to level any ruts,” says Terry. “This should be done when the land starts to dry out – so that you are not going to rut the ground further or compact it – but while it is still damp enough for harrows to affect ruts.
“Harrowing will also loosen the old grass and open up the sward [top layer of soil], encouraging new growth and tillering to reduce bare patches. If you have well-rotted horse manure (and have low worm counts), this is also a great time to spread that back on your fields to increase organic matter content and feed the soil. If the sward is badly damaged and there are large bare patches, it’s also advisable to apply seed to increase grass numbers and decrease the risk of weeds taking over.”
Avoid compaction
With the surface already so trodden down by the horses, Terry warns against using machinery that will further compact the soil, including heavy grass rollers. Conversely, if you find your pasture is compacted, springtime is also the perfect opportunity to address this. “Compaction can be addressed with aerating machines,” she adds. “For deep subsoil, sward lifters may be required.”
Plan ahead
Nutrient content is a not only an indicator of soil health, but is influential on your horse’s wellbeing too. The aforementioned spreading of manure is beneficial for adding both potassium and phosphorous into the ground, while simultaneously reducing the need for manufactured fertilisers. This can form part of a wider nutrient plan, which is important for maintaining healthy crops and lowering upkeep costs.
Nutrient management
“From soil sample results, you can calculate the amount of nutrients your grass requires,” Terry explains. “Manure analysis will tell you what nutrients will be added. Standard figures are available, but manures are very variable. Seek out a Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS) qualified adviser to assist with nutrient planning.”
If you intend to use your own manure for this purpose, take into account the type of bedding your horse uses, which will inevitably get caught up in some of the droppings. Some materials take longer to decompose than others and you want to allow the manure itself to rot, changing to a darker colour in the process.
Terry also notes that it is important to observe buffer zones when spreading any form of fertiliser, steering clear of watercourses by at least 10 metres (50 metres if it is a spring, well or borehole) and avoiding very high-risk land (such as areas that are flood prone or on steep slopes). Spreading in good weather conditions will reduce the chances of pollution and, depending on whether the land is classed as agricultural, there are legislative requirements to be met regarding pollution risks.
On rotation
Tied into the health of the soil, nutrient variety and sustainability of the pasture is the range of flora present. These attributes are all interlinked: healthier soil will support deeper roots and taller grass heights, in turn influencing water uptake and how the land fares through the winter. As Terry notes: “Knowing your soil types and nutrient content is vital for better pasture management.”
There are different strategies available to suit a variety of soil types and usage needs. Mixed grazing, bringing in cattle alongside horses, can even out grass levels. Additionally, pasture rotation reduces the risk of overgrazing and provides the opportunity for you to spread manure between rotations, restoring some of the lost nutrients to the soil.
“Aim to rotate pastures more frequently – ideally having at least four sections to rotate around on a weekly or fortnightly basis,” advises Terry. “This will prevent grasses from being grazed too short and allow for quicker recovery. It might mean sub-dividing larger paddocks or reconsidering your approach to winter versus spring.”
An alternative way of dividing up a paddock is to fence off the centre of the field from the perimeter. By keeping your horse in the outer circle and letting the centre grass grow long, you will use less land for summer grazing – while still giving your equine plenty of space – and save land for the winter.
Mixing it up
Benefits of biodiversity
“There are two benefits to biodiversity in equine pasture: the ability to offer a more varied diet to the horse and enhancing biodiversity for the wider environmental benefits,” summarises Terry. “Allowing sections to grow up long and self-seed can increase diversity of plant species. Don’t be afraid of having ‘weeds’ in your pasture – just make sure you remove harmful plants such as ragwort!”
Only having one grass species planted results in the coverage rooting to a similar depth, whereas varying the flora will improve your horse’s nutrient intake and sowing larger plants, such as hedgerows, also provide wind breaks. “You could also look to bring in broad leaved species, such as plantains, sainfoin, and birds foot trefoil that contain natural anthelmintic properties, have deeper roots for greater drought resistance and different maturity dates to extend growing periods,” she adds.
“This approach can work really well on track systems where you leave the middle to grow long through the summer. Then, come winter, you can graze the long grass as standing foliage. The extra length helps to reduce poaching, but also provides shelter to wildlife through the winter. Pasture is where your horse spends the majority of its life, so look to enhance that environment as much
as possible.”
Our top tips for protecting paddocks
- Plan your winter pasture management right from the beginning of the summer – the more grass you have, the less mud you’ll get!
- Manage your rotations to maintain grass cover over the summer – this helps slow soil drying out in times
of drought. - Increase organic matter return (i.e. spread your muck heap!) This helps land hold moisture in summer and absorb rain in winter.
- Avoid compaction – harrow, don’t roll. Compacted soils are susceptible to erosion and run-off, they limit grass growth and give weeds opportunities to establish.
- Keep horses off the land in the wettest weather.
- Protect high traffic areas – consider hardcore or gravel in gateways or use protective matting.
This article was first published March 2024 in British Showjumping magazine.