managing small-acreage horse farms

Managing Small-acreage Horse Farms

EC 1558 • May 2003 $4.00

FOR GREEN PASTURES, CLEAN WATER, AND HEALTHY HORSES

Archival copy. For current version, see: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1558

2 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS

RESULTS OF GOOD MANAGEMENT

• Goodgrasscover,eveninwinter• Fewerweeds• Aestheticallypleasinglandscape• Healthyhorses• Cleanwater

RESULTS OF POOR MANAGEMENT

• Soilcompaction• Muddypasturesinwinter• Moreweeds• Unhealthyhorses• Pollutedstreams,groundwater,

andhouseholdwells

Managing Small- acreage Horse FarmsFOR GREEN PASTURES, CLEAN WATER, AND HEALTHY HORSES

Practice good grazing management.Overstockingcausesmanyproblems.Reducehorsenumbersandrotategrazingtopreventovergrazingandallowpasturestorest.

GRAZING MANAGEMENTPage 12

Diagnose and fix problems. Poorlymanagedsmall-acreagehorsefarmsareasourceofnon-pointwaterpollutionaswellasacauseofdiseaseinhorses.

Cover the manure pile.Rainseepingthroughamanurepileleachesnutrientsandmicroorganismsintosurfacewaterandgroundwaterandreducesthemanure’svalueasafertilizer.Usingatarporrooftocoverthepilepreventsleaching.

The basic steps


MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 3

Keep animals off wet pastures.Animalsonwetpasturescreatemud,compactsoil,overgraze,andtramplegrass.Theresultislessvegetationtofiltersedimentsandusenutrients.

Utilize a “sacrifice area” or paddock to keep animals off wet pastures.Thisrestrictsimpactstooneareaandsavespasturesduringthewetmonths.Paddockscanbepreparedwith“hogfuel”orgravel.

SACRIFICE AREASPage 7

Install rain gutters and downspouts on farm buildings.Theydirectwaterawayfrompaddocks,resultinginlessmud.

GUT-TERS AND DOWN- SPOUTSPage 9

Utilize grass or vegetation buffer strips.Grassandotherplantsfiltersedimentsanduseexcessnutrients.Usebufferstripsaroundpaddocks.

BUFFER STRIPS Page 10

Compost the manure.Insteadofjuststoringmanureinapile,compostingproducesanexcellentsoilamendmentforthepastureorforsale,andthecompostingprocesskillsweedseedsandparasites.

MANUREMANAGEMENTPage 20

Create a farm you can be proud of. Useofthesemanagementpracticesimprovestheproductivityandappearanceofafarmandprotectswaterqualityandhorsehealth.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONPage 23



Thegoalsforawell-managedsmall-acreagehorsefarmare:■ Aproductivepasturewithplentyofgrassandfewweeds■ Almostnomudduringtherainyseason■ Allnutrients(manureandstallwaste)generatedbythehorses

recycledtofeedthepastureorremovedfromthefarmandrecycled

■ Healthyhorsesfreeofproblemsassociatedwithstandinginmudandmanure

■ Happyownerswhoareabletoconvenientlyfeedandcarefortheiranimalswithoutdreadingthechoreorlosingtheirbootsindeepmud

Thekeytomeetingthesegoalsistorecognizethathorses,grass,manure,soil,andwaterareallconnected.Howyouman-ageoneaffectstheothers.Forexample,when,where,andhowlongyouranimalsgrazeaffectsgrassregrowth,weedcompetition,andthesafetyofyourwellwater.Howyoudealwithwaterrunoffaffectsyourhorse’shealth,nearbystreams,andyourownenjoy-mentofthefarm.Bymanagingeachaspectofyourfarmwell,theresultwillbegreenerpastures,lessmud,healthierhorses,andmorepersonalsatisfaction.

Toestablishandmaintainanattractive,green,weed-freepasture,youneedtounderstandseveralbasicprinciplesofplantgrowthaswellastheimpactofhorsesonpastures.Todomorethan“followarecipe,”youmustlearnaboutplantgrowthandhowpasturesfitintotheentirehorsemanagementsystem.

Horsepasturesaredifferentfromotherpastures.Agreencover,freeofweedsandmud,oftenistheprimaryobjective.Meetingthehorse’snutritionalneedsfrequentlyissecondary.Nutritionalneedslikelyaremetprimarilybyhayorhayandgrain.Thepastureusu-allyprovidesonlysupplementalfeed,exercise,andrecreation.

Youareincontrol.Pastureconditionisuptoyou.Maintain-ingadense,green,weed-free,andmud-freepasturerequiresyoutomeetthewaterandnutritionalneedsofpastureplantsandtocarefullycontrolthetiminganddurationofthehorses’timeonthepasture.

Thispublicationisintendedforsmall-acreagehorsefarms(thosefrom1to10acres)inthehigh-rainfallareasofwesternOregonandwesternWashington.Becausetheylackthespaceoflargerfarms,small-acreageownersareconfrontedwithdifferentproblems.We’vetailoredourrecommendationstofitsmallfarms.Optionsforbothlow-costandhighercostapproachesareincluded.Ofcourse,everythingdescribedherecanbeappliedtolargerfarmsaswell.

What do you want from your farm?

Greenpastures,healthyhorses,andcleanwateraren’tdifficulttoachieve.Allittakesisacommitmenttofollowsomebasicfarmmanagementpractices.



What makes horses different?Horsesareadaptedtoimmense,aridgrasslands.Intheirnatural

environment,theyroamarange.Becausetheyneverstayinoneareaverylong,theyhavelittleimpactontheirenvironment.Whenwekeepthemonsmallacreages,wemustmanagethemtomini-mizetheirimpact.

Mosthorseownersknowthathorsesaredifferentfromotherlivestock.Howandwhathorseseat,howtheybehave,andtherea-sonsweownthemdiffertremendouslyfromsheeporcattle.

Eating habitsUnlikesheeporcattle,horseshavebothupperandlowerteeth.

Theyalsohaveveryactivelips.Asaresultofthesetraits,theyareveryefficientgrazers—sometimestooefficient.Althoughsheepandcattlecanovergrazepasturestoo,horseshavetheabilitytoquicklyandefficientlyeatgrassesallthewaytothesoilsurface.Whenthisoccurstoooften,itkillsthegrass.

Horsesaremoreselectiveaboutwhattheyeatthancattleorsheep.Horseshaveastrongerpreferenceforgrassoverbroadleafplants,brush,ortrees(althoughtheywilleattheseplants).Horsesalsoprefershorter,tastiergrassplantsoverlonger,coarsergrass.

Big, active animalsHorsesareheavyanimalswithbig,oftensteel-shod,feet.Un-

likeotherlivestock,theycanbeveryactive.Theyenjoyrunningandplaying.Incontrast,maturecattletendtoeat,liedownwhiletheydigesttheirmeal,andmakeanoccasionaltriptothewatertrough.Horseownersarethrilledbywatchingtheiranimalsrun,play,andgenerallykickuptheirheels.However,toomuchofthisactivity,whenconcentratedonasmallacreageduringthewetsea-son,canseverelydamagepastures.

Why are horses hard on pastures?Thetypicaladulthorse...■ Weighsabout

1,200pounds■ Hasbigfeet,probably

shodinsteel■ Lovestorunandplay■ Possessesaspecialized

mouththatisoneoftheworld’smostefficientgrazingmachines

Horsesarebiganimalsandefficientgrazers.Withoutpropermanagement,theycaneasilydamagepastures,leadingtoweedinvasionsandexcessmud.



Livinginmudandmanureisunhealthyforahorse.Mudhar-borsbacteriaandfungalorganismsthatcausehealthproblems.

Mudfever(orscratches)isacommonconditionthatusuallyaf-fectshorses’lowerlimbs.Itismarkedbyinflammationoftheskinandtheappearanceofcrustyscabs.Itusuallyiscausedbybacteriathatpenetratetheskinfollowingeitherdamageorsofteningfromexposuretowetnessormud.Thebacteriathriveinwet,muddyconditions.Ontheupperbody,thesameconditionisreferredtoasrainscald.

Wetconditionscansoftenthehoofandsole,causingcrackingandsplittingandmakinghorsesmoresusceptibletostonebruis-ingandotherrelatedlamenesses.Thrushisafungalinfectionthataffectsthefrogofthehoofandalsoiscausedbywet,muddycondi-tions.

Whenhorsesaredirectlyexposedtomanure,theysufferincreasedinternalparasiteinfestations.Horsesfednearmanurereinfestthemselvesandspreadinternalparasitestootherhorses.

Otherproblemsassociatedwithmudinclude:■ Sandcolic,aseriousdigestivedisorderthatoccurswhenhorses

fedonmuddygroundingestdirtandsand■ Lowbodytemperature,causingunthriftinessandevenhypo-

thermia.Livestockintheseconditionsburnsignificantlymorecaloriesjustkeepingwarmandrequiremorefeed.

■ Aslick,unsafefootingthatcancauseinjuries■ Insects,especiallyflies,thatbreedinmudandmanure.Insects

areannoyingatbest.Atworst,theycarrydisease,andtheirbitescauseallergicreactions.

Mud, manure, and horse health

Standinginmudandmanurecancausenumeroushealthproblemsforhorses.Managegrazing,manure,andtheflowofwateracrossyourpropertytopreventmud.



Keep animals off wet pastures

Why keep horses off wet pastures?

Horsesonwetpastureskillgrassandcreatemudbycon-tinuouslygrazingandtramplinggrassandchurningupthesoilwiththeirfeet.Becauseoftheirsizeandweight,theyalsocom-pactthesoil.Soilcompactionkillsplantrootsandreducessoildrainage,creatingevenmoremud.

Thissituationismiserableforbothhorsesandhumans,butitdoesn’tendthere.Becausethegrassisweakenedorkilled,weedsnowhaveroomtogrow.Desirableplantscan’tgrowincompactedsoil,soundesirableplantsthatarewelladaptedtotheseconditionstakeover.Springandearlysummerbringacropofweeds,someofwhicharetoxictohorses.Thepasturebecomesbareinthesummer,exceptforsomehardyweeds.

Lessgrassmeanshavingtopurchasemorehay.Italsomeansthereisnothingtopro-tectthegroundfromerosionortousethenutrientsinmanureandurine.Duringtherainyseason,soil,nitrogen,phosphorus,andbacteria(suchasfecalcoliform)runoffthefarm,contaminatingstreamsandhouseholdwells.

Thefirststeptokeepingyourpastureingoodshapeandreduc-ingtheamountofmudonyourfarmistokeepyourhorsesoffthepastureduringthewetseason(NovemberthroughMarchorlonger).Howdoyoudothis?Theansweristouseapaddock—asmallenclosure,suchasacorral,run,orpen—foryourhorse’soutdoorlivingquarters.Thisareasometimesiscalleda“sacrificearea”becauseitisanareaofpasturethatis“sacrificed”tobenefittherestofthepasture.

Confineyourhorsestothepaddockduringthewinterandearlyspringaswellasinthesummerbeforeyourpasturesbecomeovergrazed.Apaddockalsoisusefulforseparatingorconfininganimals,forcontrollingtheamountofgrassorfeedtheyconsumeonadailybasis,andforcaringforsickorinjuredanimals.

Locatethepaddockonhighgroundawayfromwaterandwells.Itshouldbeconvenienttoyourbarnorloafingshedtomakeiteasytocareforyourhorsesandmaintainthearea.Agoodoptionistohaveanareasetuplikearunconnectedtoeachstall.Thischore-efficientarrangementgivesthehorsefreeaccesstothestall,andyou’llhaveaclean,dry,convenientplacetofeed.

Thesizeoftheareacanvarytofitthesizeofyourfarm,thenumberofhorses,theiragesandtemperaments,andotherneeds.Ageneralruleistoallowapproximately300–400squarefeetperhorse.Asmallpaddockthesizeofagenerousboxstall(16x16feet)couldbeadequateforsomehorses.Alargerareathatallowsforrunningandplayingmightbe20–30feetwidebyasmuchas100feetlong.

Footingisacrucialpartofapaddock.Thegoalistohaveasafe,well-drained,“all-weather”surface.Hogfuel,gravel,andsandallworkwell(seesidebar,page8).Eachtypeoffootinghas

Horsesshouldbekeptoffpasturesduringtherainyseason.Useasacrificeareainstead.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #1



itsadvocates,sospendsometimeinvestigatingandselectwhatwillworkbestforyoursituation.Agoodguidelineistoputdowntwiceasmuchfootingasyouhavemudinthewinter.Ifyouhave3inchesofmud,youwillwantthefootingat least6inchesdeep.

It’simportanttominimizewaterrunoffthroughthesacrificearea.See“Installrainguttersanddownspouts”(page9).

Fencesforpaddocksshouldbeassafeaspossible.Horsescanbehardonfences,soahotwirewillprovideagoodpsychologicalbarrier.Keepinmindthatgatesneedtobelargeenoughforfarmequipmentanddeliveriesoffootingmaterial,hay,andsoon.Also,tobesureyourfenceisthecorrectheight,remembertotakethethicknessofthefootinglayerintoconsiderationwhenputtinginfenceposts.Agoodheightforapad-dockfenceis4feet.Electricfencingshouldbeplacedatthehorse’schestheight.

Yourpaddockisanintegralpartofyourpasturerotationsystem.Itisyourhorses’outdoorhomeinthewinter.Duringthegrazingseason,useittoallowthepasturetorecoverandtopreventovergrazing.

Pickupmanureevery1to3daystopreventthebuildupofasoupysur-facelayerandtoreduceinsectsandparasites.Eventhebestmaintainedpaddockwillhavesomecontaminat-edrunoff.Abufferstripofgrassorothervegetationaroundthepaddockwillinterceptthisrunoffandpreventitfromenteringnearbystreamsorgroundwater(seepage10).

Forsomehorseowners,areason-ablesolutionforkeepinghorsesoffwetpasturesistohavethemstayataboardingfacilityduringthewinter.

Some options for sacrifice areasEconomical—hog fuel

Hogfuelconsistsoflargewoodchips.Asageneralrule,applyhogfuelatleasttwiceasdeepasthedepthofmud(3inchesofmud=6inchesofhogfuel).Formorelongevity,someauthoritiesrecommendapplyingupto12inchesofhogfuel.Thematerialwillpackdownanddecomposeovertime,soaddanewlayereveryyearortwo.Hogfuelreducesurineodors.

Mid-range—gravel or sandGravelisroughlytwotothreetimesasexpensiveashog

fuel,butusedcorrectlylastsmanyyears.Use3⁄8-inchminusto5⁄8-inchminuscrushedgravel.Useaminimum2:1ratioofgraveltomud.Formorelongevity,someauthoritiesrecom-mendapplying6to8inchesofgravel.Whenapplieddirectlyoversoil,gravelslowlymigratesintothesoil,soyou’llneedtoaddanewlayerperiodically.Analternativeistousegravelinhigh-trafficareassuchasgateways,doorways,lanes,andsoon,whileusinghogfuelinotherareassuchaspaddocks.

Coarse,washedsandisanotheroption.Don’tfeedhorsesonsandsurfaces;theycaningestsandanddevelopcolic.

Top-of-the-line—geotextile cloth with gravel, sand, or hog fuel footing

Geotextileclothorfilterfabriccanbeusedwiththesefootingstoseparatelayers,improvedrainage,andpreventfootingfrommigratingintothesoil.Filterfabricisawovenplasticmaterialusedinroadbuildingandotherconstructionprojects.Thesmallholesinthematerialallowwatertopassthrough,butnotsandorsilt.

Usethesefabricsoveralevel,gradedsurfaceandcoverwithaminimumof6inchesoffooting(moreisbetter).Tocreateahighlydrainedsurface,coverfabricwithatleasta3-inchlayerofcrushedrock(3⁄4to11⁄2inchesworksbest),followedbyanotherlayeroffabric,followedbythefootingofchoice—6inchesofgravelorsand,orupto12inchesof

Asacrificeareadoesn’thavetobeexpensive.



Install rain gutters and downspouts

Why are gutters and downspouts important?

Aninchofrainona20x50footbarnroofproduces620gallonsofwater.Inanareathatreceives40inchesofrainperyear,that’sanadditional25,000gallonsofwater!Thisextrawa-tercreatesasoupymessofmud,manure,andurinethatmakeshorsesandtheirownersmiser-ableandeventuallyrunsoffintostreams.Itevencancontaminateyourhouseholdwell.

Some optionsEconomical

It’seasytoinstallguttersanddownspoutsasado-it-yourselfproject.Homeimprovementbusinessescarryavarietyofsuit-ablematerials.

Top-of-the-lineNumerousbusinessesspe-

cializeininstallingaluminumcontinuous(seamless)gutters.

Thehigh-rainfallclimateofwesternOregonandWashingtonproducesannualrainfallrangingfrom35inchestomorethan100inches.Theamountofwaterfromrainfallalonesaturatespasturesandcorrals.Inaddition,theroofsofbarnsandotherfarmbuildingscollectrainanddeposititongroundthatalreadyissoaked.

Installingrainguttersanddownspoutsonyourfarmbuild-ingsdirectswaterawayfromhigh-useareasaroundthebarnandimmediatelyreducesthequantityofmud.Remember,tobeeffective,thedownspoutsmustdirectwaterawayfromanimalconfinementareas.Insomeinstances,plasticpipecanbeusedtocarrythewaterbeyondtheanimalconfinementareatoavegetatedareaonyourproperty.Downspoutsystemsalsocanbedesignedtodivertwatertorainbarrelsforemergencyuse.

Toprotectdownspoutsfromdamage,useheavyPVCpipeorhotwire,ormakethedownspoutinaccessibletothehorses.

Other ways to reduce runoff and mudThenaturaldrainageofyourlandmightdirectwaterintoar-

easaround(orthrough)yourbarn.Insomeinstances,watermov-ingdownhillthroughthesoiladdssignificantmoisturetofarmbuildingsandsacrificeareas.Inthesecases,youmightneedtolookatadditionalwaystodivertwater.SomepossibilitiesincludeFrenchdrainlinestodivertwateraroundabuilding,drainagetiles,grassedwaterways,waterbars(likeaspeedbumpforwaterrunoff),ditches,anddrywells.DesignhelpisavailablefromyourlocalConservationDistrict,USDANaturalResourcesConserva-tionService,orExtensionoffice.Or,lookontheWeb.

Plantandmaintainnativetreesandshrubs.Plantsusealotofwaterandpotentiallycanreducetheamountofwateraroundyourfarm.AmatureDouglas-fircanuse100–250gallonsofwaterperday.Evergreenshavetheaddedadvantageofusingwaterinthewinterwhendeciduoustreesaredormant.

Usingwater-lovingshrubsalongtheoutsideofpaddockswillkeeptheareadrierandreducerunoff.Examplesofpotentiallyusefulplantsincludewillow,cottonwood,andred-osierdogwood.Treeshavetheaddedbenefitofincreasinghabitatforwildlife,aplusfortheaestheticsofyourfarmandtheenvironment.

Treesinpasturesandpaddocksneedprotectionfromchew-ingandrootcompactionbylivestock.Fenceofftreesalongthedripzone—theendsofthebrancheswheretheraindropsrolloff.Considerplantingnewtreeswherehorsescan’treachthem,suchasoutsidefencelines.

Guttersanddownspoutsreducemudbydirectingwaterawayfromhigh-useareas.




Use buffer strips

Why are buffers impor-tant?

Onfarms,abufferofgrass,shrubs,ortreescanprovidesev-eralbenefits,including:■ Filteringmud,manure,

pesticides,andbacteriaoutofwaterflowingacrossorthroughthesoil

■ Improvinginfiltrationofwaterintothesoil

■ Providingfoodandcoverforwildlife

■ Protectingthelandfromerosioncausedbyfloodwaters

■ Creatinganattractiveland-scape

Havingsmallbufferstripsbetweenpaddockscansaveonfencerepairandvetbillswhilefilteringrunofffromthepaddocks.

Abufferisanareathatprotectsonetypeoflandusefroman-other.Forexample,abuffermightbeawide,grassystripbetweenamanurepileandawellorawidestripoftreesbetweenapad-dockandastream.

Buffersofgrassesorgrassesandlegumescanbegrazedinamanagedrotation,asoutlinedbelowin“Summerpasture/winterfilter,”butexcludehorsesfromareasplantedtotreesandshrubs.Theywillbrowseortrampletheseplants.

Bufferstripscanbeinstalledjusttobuffer,butmanyservemultiplepurposes.Properlymanagedbufferscanproduceincomefromharvestedproductswhilestillprovidingmanyoftheenviron-mentalbenefitslistedabove.Someoftheseproductsinclude:■ Summerpasture/winterfilter:Includethebufferinamanaged

grazingrotationorharvesthayduringmostofthegrowingseason.

■ Floralgreenery:Planttypesofshrubsusedbyfloristsforgreenery;trimandharvestsurplusgrowthseasonally.

■ Woodproducts:Planttreesdenselyandthinlaterforpulporotherwoodproducts.Theseareasshouldnotbegrazed.

Summer pasture/winter filterOneofthemostcommonbuffersconsistsofgrasses(andoften

legumes)usedforpastureandhayinthespringandsummer,andleftungrazedtofunctionasabufferduringtimesofslowgrowth,steadyrain,orpotentialflooding.InwesternOregon,thisperiodusuallyisOctoberthroughApril.

Runofffromanimal-useareascancontaminatewatersourcessuchasstreamsandwells.Plantavegetatedbufferstriptoprotecttheseareas.




Managethistypeofbufferareaintensively,withbriefgrazingandfrequentrotationofhorsesthroughaseriesoftemporarypad-docks.Aswithallpasturesandhaylandareas,donotmoworgrazethegrassesbelowtheproperstubbleheightforthespeciesorwhengrowingpointsarevulnerable(seepage18).Neverallowhorsesorequipmentonthefieldwhensoilsarewaterlogged.

How wide should the buffer be?Bufferwidthdependsontheslopeofthefield,soiltype,and

plantdensity.Theminimumwidthshouldbe50feet;however,thewiderthebetter.Thewidthshouldbegreateronsteeperfields,fine-grainedordensesoils,whereplantsarewidelyspaced,oriftheareaabovethebufferisnotwellvegetated.Forpaddocksusedassummerpasture/winterfilter,widthusuallyisnotanissue,asalmostallfieldsarewiderthan50feet.

Ifyoudon’thaveroomforabufferbetweenapaddockanddrainageway,considerasoilberm(araisedstripofground)tocatchtherunoffanddirectittoafilterstrip.

How do I prepare my grass buffer each fall for its protection function?■ Leavegrassatleast3to4inchestallatalltimesduringthe

bufferingperiod.■ Donotapplycommercialfertilizerorstockpiledmanuretothe

fieldinthefall,asyouwantthisareatocapturenutrientsandbacteria,notreleasethem.

■ Thebufferingperiodshouldbeginabout30daysbeforeconsis-tentfallrainsand/orfloodingareexpected.Thisleadtimewillallowtimeformanuredepositedinthefieldduringgrazingtobreakdownaswellasforsomeextraplantregrowth.

■ Thebufferperiodshouldextendintothespringuntilsoilsarenotsaturated,grassesaretallenoughtograze(orotherwiseharvest),andthechanceoffloodinghaspassed.



Manage pastures for optimal grass growth

Why is grazing man-agement important?

Well-managedpasturesareanimportantpartofanysmallhorsefarm.Horsesaregrass-landanimals.Theythriveongrazingandexercise.Grazingandmovingaroundapas-turehelpfoodmoveproperlythroughtheirdigestivesystem.Awell-managedpasturecanreducefeedcostssignificantlywhileprovidinghigh-qualityforageandexercise.

Healthygrassalsokeepswatercleanbyusingthenitro-genandphosphorusinmanureandurine.Ittrapsandfiltersrunoffcarryingsoilparticles,bacteria,andexcessnutrientsthatotherwisemightcon-taminatehouseholdwellsandstreams.

Poorlymanagedpasturesbecomemuddyinthewinter,weedyinthespring,anddustbowlsinthesummer.Horsesforcedtostandinmud,manure,andurineallwintercandevelophealthprob-lems—includinghighlevelsofparasiteinfestations—andevenhypothermia.Theseconditionsalsoleadtolargepopulationsoffliesandotherinsects.Mudandmanurearebadforhorsehealthaswellasforhumansandtheenvironment(seepage6).

Grazing timing, intensity, and durationRestrictingaccesstopasturesandcontrollingtheintensityand

durationofpastureuseisyourmostimportantpasturemanagementresponsibility.Thiscontrolledgrazingcanbeaccomplishedbykeepinghorsesinsacrificeareaswheneverpasturesarenotsuitableforgrazing(seepages7–8).Usepasturesonlywhenthereisadequategreencover(morethan3inchestall)andthesoilisfirmandnotwaterlogged.

How many acres per horse? Thenumberofacresofpastureneededperhorseisdifficultto

determine.Ifthehorseshaveanadequateexerciselotorareriddenorworkedoften,theymightnotneedverymuchpasture.However,mosthorseownersfeelthatsupplementalpasturegrassisgoodfornutritionandthepsychologicalwell-beingofthehorse.

APennsylvaniareferencesuggeststhata1,000-to1,200-poundmarewithfoalrequiresabout2acresforgrazinguse.Thisrecom-mendationisconsistentwithconditionsinwesternOregonandwesternWashington.Theamountvarieswidely,however,depend-ingontheamountandfrequencyofrainfallorirrigationwaterpro-vided.Aminimumof1acreperhorseisrequiredtocyclenutrientsfrommanureandurineandtoprovideadequatespaceformeetingthesocialandexerciseneedsofhorses.

Plant regrowthPlantsmanufacturetheirfoodintheirleaves,usingsolar

energy,carbondioxidefromtheair,andwatertomakesugarsandcomplexcarbohydrates.Thisprocessrequires“solarreceptors”in

Poorlymanagedpasturescanbeoverwhelmedbyweeds.Goodgrazingpracticescansignificantlyreduceweedproblems.




thegreenleafarea.Removingtoomanyleavesthroughovergrazingwillslowgrowthanddamagetherootsystem.

Plantregrowthoccursatgrowingpoints.Onegrowingpointisthecollar,thejunctionofthebladeandsheath.Theotheristheapicalmeristem,whicheventuallydevelopsintotheseedhead(seeillustrationsbelow).Removalofthesegrowingpointsbyovergraz-ingwilleliminatetheplant’sabilitytoregrow.Susceptibilitytoovergrazingdependsonthespecies,developmentalstage,andotherstresses.Learningmoreaboutgrowthandregrowthprocesseswillhelpyoubecomeabetterpasturemanager.

Water and fertilizerPlantsneedwaterandnutrientsinadequateandbalanced

amounts.MostpasturesinwesternOregonandwesternWashingtonare“dryland.”Inotherwords,theydependonraintosupplywaterneeds.Thesepasturesareproductiveduringthefall,spring,andearlysummer,butdryoutduringthesummer.Tomaintainactivelygrowingplantsduringthesummer,irrigationisrequired.

Amoderateamountoffertilizeralsomaybeneededtomaintaingreencolorandactiveyear-aroundgrowth.Nitrogen,phosphorus,potassium,sulfur,andcalciumarethenutrientstypicallyadded.Todeterminetheamountofphosphorus,potassium,andcalciumneededforyourpasture,sendasoilsampletoasoiltestinglabora-tory.YourlocalOSUExtensionServiceofficecangiveyoualistoftestinglabs.Then,fertilizeaccordingtorecommendationsbasedonthesoiltestresults.Consultyourfertilizerdealerabouttheproper

Progresstowardseedheaddevelopmentcanbeseenwheninternodesatthebaseoftheshoothaveelongatedandhaveraisedthemeristematicgrowingpoint(thepotentialseedhead)toavulnerableheight.Thisisatransitionstagebetweenthefast-growingvegetativeandreproductive(seedhead)stages.

Theleafbladeisjoinedtotheleafsheathatthecollar,azoneoftissueaccountingforincreasingbladelength.Oncethebladehasachieveditsmaximumlength,cellsinthecollarceasedividing.

Moveanimalswhenapaddockhasbeengrazedto3inches.Allowgrasstoregrowto6to8inchesbeforebeinggrazedagain.



fertilizer,orblendoffertilizers,thatwillsupplytheneedednutri-entsmosteconomically.

Fornitrogen,thegeneralrecommendationistoapply30to50poundsperacreoneortwotimesperyear.Alwaysapplynitro-genbeforeanactivegrass-growingperiod—earlyspringandearlyfall.

Forgrass/legumemixedpastures,you’llneedlessnitrogenbe-causelegumesusenitrogenfromtheair.Forthesepastures,apply30to40poundsnitrogenperacreinearlyspringandagaininearlyfall.

Donotoverapplynitrogen.Overapplicationoffertilizerisawasteofmoneyandincreasesthepotentialfornitrogenleachingorrunoff.Highnitrogenapplicationsalsocancausehorsehealthconcerns,especiallyduringdryyears.

Applysulfuratarateofapproximately30poundsperacreeveryotheryear.

Manurecanprovidemanyoftheneedednutrientsandimprovesthebiologicalactivityofthesoil.Collectmanurethroughouttheyearandstoreitinacoveredpileorcompostituntilasuitabletimeforspreading(seepages20–21).

Weed control Weedscompetewithdesirableplants,andsomearepotentially

dangeroustohorses.Thebestweedcontrolstrategyistomaintainhealthy,vigorousgrassesorgrassesandlegumesthroughproperfertilizingandgrazingpractices.Withgoodmanagement,desiredpastureplantscompetestronglyagainstweeds.

Becausehorsesdonotgrazeallpastureplantstoanevenheight,mowingmaybeneeded.Mowingapastureto3to4inchesaftermovinghorsestoanewpasturehelpscontrolweedsandpre-ventsgrassesfromdevelopingseedheadsandbecomingdormant.Mowingaftergrazingalsomakespasturesmoreattractive.

Identifyweedsbyusingvariousweedpublications(seebackcover)orbytakingasampleplanttoyourcountyofficeoftheOregonStateUniversityExtensionService.Weedsdifferintheirlifecycles(annual,biennial,perennial),andthisinfluenceswhatactionsyoushouldtaketocontrolthem.Weedsalsodifferintheirthreattoapasture.Somearetoxic,somearenoxious(spreadquicklyanddominateapasture),andsomeareharmless.Thesefac-torsinfluencewhetheryoushouldcontroltheweed.

Removeweedsthatdobecomeestablishedbymowing,pulling,ordigging.Ifyouchoosetouseanherbicide,itiscriticaltotimetheapplicationtothecorrectgrowthphaseoftheplant.Informa-tiononapplicationtimingisprovidedbythemanufacturer.Followallsafetyprecautionsandgrazingrestrictions;horsesmighteatsprayedweedsandsufferhealthproblems.Regularuseofherbi-cidestosolveweedproblemsgenerallyindicatesaproblemwithhowthepastureisbeingmanaged.

If you choose to use an herbicide •Wearprotectiveclothingandsafetydevicesasrecom-mendedonthelabel.Batheorshoweraftereachuse.

• Readtheherbicidelabel—evenifyou’veusedtheher-bicidebefore.Followcloselytheinstructionsonthelabel(andanyotherdirectionsyouhave).

• Knowwhethertheherbicidecanbewindcarriedtounin-tendedplants.

• Becautiouswhenyouapplyherbicides.Knowyourlegalresponsibilityasapesticideapplicator.Youmaybeliableforinjuryordamageresultingfromherbicideuse.



Manure managementDistributingmanureisimportantbecausehorseswon’teat

wheretheydefecate.Asaresult,areasoftall,untouchedgrassgrowuparoundmanurepiles.Itgenerallyisenoughtoharrowordragapastureonceortwiceayeartospreadmanurepiles.

Harrowinghelpsbreakupmanuresoplantscanutilizeit,anditreducesflyhabitatsomewhat.However,whenyouharrowmanureinpastures,youspreadwormeggs,soyouwillneedtomaintainagooddewormingprogramforyourhorses.Consultyourveterinar-ianforrecommendationsonthebestdewormingprogramforyourspecificsituation.

IrrigationIfyouhaveirrigationrights,yourpasturescanremainattractive

andprovidesupplementalnutritionevenduringthedrysummermonths.

Assummerapproachesandthesoilbecomesdry,plantsnatu-rallybegintomoveintodormancy.Beginirrigationearlyenoughtopreventtheplantsfromgoingintodormancy.Insomeyears,youmayneedtobeginirrigatinginlatespring.Ifyouirrigateforproduction,followanirrigationwatermanagementplanthattakesintoconsiderationtheinfiltrationrateandwater-holdingcapacityofthesoil.Forhelpdevelopingawatermanagementplan,contactanirrigationspecialistoryourlocalUSDANaturalResourcesConser-vationServiceoffice.

Ifyourgoalisonlytohaveagreenpasture,irrigatewhenevertheweatherisdry.

Donotleavehorsesinthepasturewhileirrigating.Insaturatedsoil,theymightdamageequipmentand/orpastureplants.

Toavoidplantdamageandsoilcompaction,wait3or4daysafterirrigatingbeforeallowinghorsestograzepastures.Asalways,waituntilthepastureisabovetheminimum3-inchheightbeforegrazing,andgrazeonlydownto3inches.

InterseedingToincreaseapasturestandandfillinbarespots,broadcast

seed(5to10poundsperacre)overthepastureinlateSeptemberorearlyOctober.Thehorseswill“plant”theseedbywalkingitlightlyintotheground.Perennialryegrassisparticularlyeffectiveatbecomingestablishedbyinterseeding.Besuretousecertified,endophyte-freeseed.

Keys to successful pas-ture management

Mostpasturemanagementpracticesareinexpensive.Thekeyistodevelopanattitudethathorsesdonothavetobeongrassallofthetimeorevenev-eryday;theyshouldbegrazingapastureonlywhenadequategrassisavailableandthesoilisnotsaturated.Usesacrificear-easmostofthetime(seepages7–8).■ Donotgrazepastureswhen

thesoilissaturated.Doingsocreatesmud,damagesplants,compactssoil,in-creasesweeds,andreducesgrassproduction.

■ Grazenolowerthananav-erageof3inchesinheight.Thisrestrictionmaintainsgrowingpointsforrapidregrowthandenoughleafareaforsunlightabsorp-tion,whichimprovesplanthealth.

■ Allowplantstorecoveraf-tergrazing.Dividepasturesintosmallerareaswithpor-tableelectricfencing.Moveanimalswhenapaddockhasbeengrazedto3inches.Allowgrasstoregrowto6to8inchesbeforebeinggrazedagain.

■ Limitlegumesto20to30percentofthepasturestandtoreducedigestivesystemproblems.Formoreinformation,consultyourcountyOSUExtensionof-ficeoryourveterinarian.



RenovationInsomecases,andasalastresort,completepasturerenovation

isneeded.Renovationinvolvesdestroyingtheoldsod(eitherwithherbicidesorbyplowing),tilling,andthenreseeding.Theprocessiscostlyandshouldbeconsideredonlyaftertryingtoimproveapasturebyothermeans.Often,simplyimprovingfertilityandus-ingthemanagementtechniquessuggestedinthispublicationwilldramaticallyimproveapasture.

Afterapastureisplowedandreseeded,thegroundwillbesoft.Delaygrazinguntilthesoilisdryenoughtosupportthehorses.Toensurethattheplantsbecomewellestablishedandfirmlyrooted,don’tgrazeareseededpastureuntilthenewgrowthismorethan3inchestall.Therootsneedachancetogetestablished.Ifhorsesareallowedtograzesooner,theymightpulltheplantsout,rootsandall.Grazelightlyduringthefirstseason.

Seed mixturesPasturemixesshouldbetailoredtothetypeofsoilonthefarm

andtheexpecteduseforthepasture.SoilscommontowesternOr-egonandwesternWashingtonrangefromsaturatedtoexcessivelywelldrained.Inaddition,somepasturesareintendedforbothgraz-ingandhaying,whileothersserveasanexercisearearatherthanasourceoffeedandrequireasodthatwillstanduptoalotofabuse.

Thetablebelowofferssomebasicoptionsforpasturegrasses.Alwaysuse“endophyte-free”varieties.

Grazing only * Soil type or grazing and hay Exercise area*

Well-drained Tallfescue Bentgrass Orchardgrass Finefescue Perennialryegrass Tallfescue

Somewhat Tallfescue Bentgrasspoorlydrained Perennialryegrass Finefescue TallfescueFrom:Pasture and Hayland Renovation for Western Washington and Oregon(see“Formoreinformation,”backcover)*Pasturegrassesshouldalwaysbe“endophyte-free.”

TallfescueiswelladaptedforhorsepasturesinwesternOregonandwesternWashington.Tallfescuetoleratesacidsoils,lowfertil-ity,poorlydrainedsoils,drought,anddamagefromhorsehoovesbetterthansomeothergrasses.

Perennialryegrassisanotheroptionforhorsepastures.Itestablishesquicklyandishighlypalatable,butitmaybedifficulttomaintainasahorsepastureunlessfertilityandgrazingarewellmanaged.

Orchardgrassispalatableandgrowswellinshadedareasbut



requireswell-drainedsoils.Bothorchardgrassandtallfescuearegoodcandidatesforirrigatedpastures.

Forpasturesthatareusedprimarilyasexerciseareasratherthanasasourceoffeed,grassesthatcansurviveveryheavyusearebest.Bentgrassandfinefescuearebothlow-growinggrassesthatworkwellintheseconditions.Bentgrassisreasonablypalatable;finefescueislessso.Tallfescuealsoworksinanexercisearea.

Kentuckybluegrassandtimothyaretwospeciesofgrassfamiliartomosthorseowners.Theyarenotgoodselectionsforhorsepastures.Kentuckybluegrassisnotwell-adaptedtowesternOregonandwesternWashingtonbecauseitissusceptibletofungaldiseasesthatreducethequalityofthegrass.Timothyisanexcel-lentoptionforhaybutisnotsuitableforhorsepasturesduetoitssusceptibilitytoovergrazing.Bromegrass(exceptgrazingbrome-grass,Bromus stamineus)issimilartotimothyinsusceptibilitytoovergrazingandisnotsuitableforhorsepastures.

Pasturegrassesmaybeusedalone,mixedtogether,ormixedwithalegume.Pasturemixeswithmorethanonegrasscanworkwelliftheyaregrazedonlyandnothayed.Mixtureswithmorethanonegrasscanbechallenging,however,becausehorsesmaypreferonegrassovertheothers,resultinginovergrazingofonegrassandundergrazingoftheothers.

Seedingratesvarydependingonthetypeofgrass.Forexample,fortallfescue,useatleast30poundsofseedperacre(moreifplantingintoaroughseedbed).Ifusingatallfescue/peren-nialryegrassmixture,two-thirdsshouldbetallfescueandone-thirdperennialryegrass.Ifyouwanttoincludealegume,add2to3poundsofwhitecloverseedperacre.Consult Pasture and Hayland Renovation for Western Washington and Oregon(seebackcover)forseedingratesforotherforages.

Endophytes Somevarietiesoftallfescuecontainanendophytic(withinthe

plant)fungus.“Turf-type”tallfescuestypicallycontaintheendo-phyte,while“forage-type”tallfescuesdonot.Toxinsassociatedwiththisfunguscancauseloweredreproductiverates,abortion,agalactia(lackofmik),andprolongedgestation.Alwaysuse“en-dophyte-free”seedwhenestablishingtallfescuestandsforhorses.Removebroodmaresfrompasturescontainingendophyte-infestedtallfescueatleast90dayspriortofoaling.

Ifnoreproductiveorlactationproblemshavebeenobservedonyourcurrentpasture,youprobablyhavenoreasontobecon-cerned.Ifyouareconcerned,anendophytetestcandeterminetheamountofinfection,ifany,inyourpasture.ContacttheOregonStateUniversityVeterinaryDiagnosticLaboratoryformoreinformation(http://www.vet.orst.edu/biomed/biomed.htm;phone:541-737-3261;fax:541-737-6817).



Putting the principles into practiceOneoftheprinciplesofgoodpasturemanagementistonever

grazethegrasstooshort.Theoptimumheightforgrassisbetween3and8inchestall.Grazingmanagerscallthisthe“vegetative”stagebecausethegrassisveryleafy.Italsoisveryhighinnutrientsandverycompetitivewithweeds.Grassthatisgrazedto3inchesandallowedtorestregrowsveryquickly.Grassthatisgrazedveryshorttakesaverylongtimetoregrowandisweakenedandsuscep-tibletocompetitionfromweeds.Grazingtooshorttoooftenisovergrazing.

Itisimportanttonotethatdifferentgrassesvaryintheiropti-mumgrazingheight.Forinstance,tallfescueshouldbegrazedtoabout4inches.Bentgrass,sinceitisaturf-typegrassandthereforelowergrowing,canbegrazedtoabout2inches.

Ifyouhaveonlyonelargepasture,itisverydifficulttoman-agethegrassforthecorrectheight;thus,thesepasturesarepronetoovergrazing.Tomakethetaskofmanagingyourgrasseasier,divideyourpastureintoseveralsmallerpastures—atleastthree,butmoreisbetter.Startbyturningthehorsesintothefirstpasture.Whentheygrazethegrasstothe3-inchlevel,movethemintothenextpasture,repeatingtheprocessforeachsmallpasture.Thefirstpastureshouldrestuntilithasregrownto6to8inches;thenyoucanputthehorsesbackin.Thinkoftheprocessthisway:whenyouhaveonlyonebigpasture,youaregrazing100percentofitandresting(regrowing)noneofit.Whenyouhavefoursmallerpas-tures,atanygiventimeyouaregrazing25percentofyourpasturelandandresting75percentofit.

Remember,horsestendtospotgraze(overgrazingsomeareaswhilenotgrazingotherareas),andyouwillhavetoconsiderthisfactorasyoudecidewhentomovethemtothenextpasture.Mow-ingbetweengrazings,oratleastattheendofthegrazingseason,

willcleanuppasturesandgeteverythingbacktothesameheight.

Therewillbetimeswhennoneofyourpasturesissufficientlytalltograze.Thissituationlikelywilloccurduringthesum-meronunirrigatedpasturesandduringthewinter.Useyoursacrificeareaorpaddockduringtheseperiodstopreventovergrazinganddamagefromovertreading.Duringthesummer,youcanstillturnthehorsesoutforexerciseondry,dormantpasturesbuttheseperiodsshouldbebrief,andthehorsesshouldberestrictedfromcontinuouslystanding,grazing,pawing,andotheractivi-tiesthatarehardondormantpastureplants.Dividepasturesintopaddockswithfencing.Then,rotatehorsesamong

paddockstogivepastureplantstimetoregrowbeforeregrazing.



Toassesstheimpactthatyouoryourlivestockhaveonthequalityofyourdrinkingwater,firstidentifywhereyourwellislocatedinrelationtoyourlivestock,drainfield,petroleumstoragetanks,andotherpotentialsourcesofcontamination.

Next,learnallyoucanaboutyourwell.Isitlocatedinalowareaofyourproperty?Isthewellheadproperlysealed,andaretheventpipeandscreeninplace?Whatistheage,depth,andconstruc-tionquality ofyourwell?Byperformingavisualinspectionandreadingyourwellreport,youcanlearnalotaboutyourwell.

Practices to protect your drinking water1. Fence horses and other livestock away from your well-

head.Theriskforcontaminationofyourdrinkingwaterdependsonmanyfactors(soiltype,conditionofyourwell,amountofrainfall,directionofgroundwaterflow,etc.).Knowledgeofthesefactorsandcommonsenseareyourguides.Ifpossible,maintainalllivestockdownhillfromyourwellhead.

2. Divert surface water away from your wellhead. Surfacewaterthatrunsthroughapastureormanurepileisladenwithbac-teriaandexcessnitrogenthatcancontaminateyourdrinkingwaterandnearbysurfacewater.Bacteriafrommanureandurinealsocanmovedownwardinsomesoilsandundercertainconditions.

3. Locate manure piles at least 100 feet, preferably downslope, from your well. Placethepileonanimpermeablesurfacesuchasconcreteandcover ittopreventrainfromleachingnitrogenintogroundwater(seepage20).Thismethodofstoragealsobeginsthecompostingprocesstoturnthisnitrogen-richmate-rialintoausefulsoilamendment.Donotallowsurfacewatertorunacrossorthroughamanurestoragearea.

4. Test well water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrate.Thepresenceofnitrateand/orcoliformbacteriainground-waterindicatesaconnectiontomaterialssuchasmanure,fertil-izers,andseptic-systemwastethatarerichinnitrogen.Excess ni-trate is harmfulto humans, especially infants, and to livestock.Coliformbacteriashould notbepresentinwellwater.

5. Do not leave a hose immersed in a stock tank.Thepoten-tialforbacksiphoningofcontaminatedstocktankwaterintoyourwellwatersystemsisveryreal.Backflow happens!Purchaseananti-siphonvalveforalloutdoorhosefaucets,especiallythoseusedtowaterlivestockandmixchemicals.

6. Take a good look at your property, your neighbors’ property, and your entire watershed.Arethereanystructuresorpracticesthatposeathreattoyourdrinkingwatersource?Areanyofthemlocatedonyourproperty?

Protect your well water

Keephorsesandotheranimalsawayfromyourwellhead.

Why is groundwater protection important?

Manyhorseownerswholiveinruralareasdependongroundwaterfromawellfortheirdrinkingwater.Ifnotproperlymanaged,manureisoneofthemanymaterialsthatcancontaminatetheground-watersupplyingyourwell.Throughpropermanagementofanimalwaste,youcangreatlyreducetheriskofcontaminationtogroundwater,thesourceofdrinkingwaterforyouandyourfamily.

Some optionsSeetheoptionslistedfor

manuremanagement(page20)andguttersanddownspouts(page9).


For more information, contact your county Extension agent or visit the Oregon State University Well Water Program Web site (http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu).



Cover and compost manure

Why is manure man-agement important?

Propermanuremanage-mentpromoteshorsehealthbyreducingparasitesinpastures.Itpromotespasturehealthbyreducingweedseedsandreturn-ingplantnutrientstothesoil.Itpromoteswaterqualitybystabilizingmanurenutrientsandkeepingthemoutofwater.

Some optionsEconomical

Themostimportantstepistheleastexpensive:covermanurepileswithaweightedtarpduringtherainyseason.Water-filledjugsmakeexcellentweights.

Mid-rangeThenextlevelofmanure

managementisaconcretepad,perhapswithcurbs,andweightedtarps.Sizethepadac-cordingtotheprojectedmanurevolume.

Top-of-the-lineAddaroofand,ideally,gut-

tersanddownspouts.

A1,200-poundhorseproduces1cubicfootoffreshmanureeveryday.Stallwastecanbeasoil-buildingresourceorasourceofmuck,weeds,parasites,flies,andwaterpollutants.Itallde-pendsonthemanagement.Improveyourmanurehandlingandcompostingtechniqueswiththesesixsimpletips.

Wetsoilsandlowareasarenotwellsuitedtohorses,con-finementareas,ormanurestorageandcomposting.Horsehealthisaffectedwhenanimalsspendlongperiodsoftimeonsaturatedpastures.Waterflowingthroughandundercompostpilesresultsinlow-qualitycompostthatmaybetoxictosomeplants.

Location, location, locationObservethepathwaythatrunningwatertakesacrossyour

property.Donotlocatemanurestorageareasinlowspotsordrainageways.Storeallwasteabovethefloodplainsoitwon’tbecarriedawaybyhighwater.

Keepmanureoutofthepathofrunofffromroofsanddown-spouts.Well-plannedtrenchingdivertswaterawayfromwastepiles(seepage9).Avoidingproblemsonlessdesirablestoragesitesrequiresmorecare.

Sitethemanurepiledownslopefromyourwellhead;a100-footseparationshouldprotectyourdrinkingwatersupply.

Cover waste piles during wet weatherAtaminimum,coverwastepileswithaweightedtarpto

controlthemoisturelevelandreduceleaching.Manypublishedsourcesshowexamplesofroofedandopenstoragestructures.Classicthree-binsystemsadapttomanysituations.

Effectivemanuremanagementrequiresadequatestoragestructuresize.Beddingaddstostoragespaceneeds.Usingrub-berstallmatsandminimalbeddingisagoodwaytoreducewastestoragedemands.

Reduce stall waste volumeThere’snothingyoucandoabouttheamountofwastea

horseproduces,butyoucanaffectthesizeofyourmanurepilebyreducingtheamountofbeddingyouuse.Theamountrequiredtoabsorburineisfarlessthanmanyhorseownerspro-vide.Horsesdonotrequireextracushioningforcomfortifthestallfloorisdirt.

Usingstallmatsisarefinementofthisapproach.Stallmatsprovideacushioned,levelsurfaceforstanding.Theyreducedustandpreventhorsesfromdigging.Unlesshorseshaveunlimitedaccesstooutdoors,you’llneedtoprovideasmallamountof




beddingtoabsorburine.Despitetheinitialinvestment,stallmatsreducebeddingcosts.

Severalbeddingmaterialsprovideanalternativetoshavingsorstraw.Shreddednewspaper,soldinbales,hasbeenusedsuc-cessfully.Newspaperishighlyabsorbentandhastheadvantageofcompostingmorerapidlythanwoodproducts.Newspapersarenowprintedwithnontoxicsoyink.Interestisgrowinginwoodpellets,similartowoodstovepellets.Usepelletsspecificallymanufacturedforbedding.Theyareeasytopick,lowindust,andmoreabsorbentthanshavings.Theyeffectivelycontrolammoniaodors.Becausetheyaremadeofhammer-milledby-products,theytakeuplessroominacompostpilethanshavings.

Compost manureCompostingiseasyandstabilizesthenutrientsinmanure.The

techniquedependsonmanurevolumeandavailableequipment.Increasedairexposuresupportsbeneficialheat-producingbac-

teriaandincreasestherateofdecomposition.Asthepileheatsup,decompositionacceleratesandmostparasites,flies,andweedseedsaredestroyed.Manurevolumeisreducedby50–65percent,andvaluablenutrientsarestabilized.

Forsmallvolumesthatwillbeturnedbyhand,promoteaera-tionbylayinglengthsof4-inchperforateddrainlinepipeacrossthepileevery2feetofpiledepth.Pipeendsmustremainexposed.Thistechniqueisnotrecommendedforpilesthatwillbeturnedbyatractor.Turningacompostpilealsoaddsoxygen,anditincreasescompostqualitybymixingcomponentsandreducingparticlesize.

Smallcompostpilescanbeturnedbyhand.Tractorsandfrontloadersgaintractionwhencompostisstoredonaconcretepad.Thismethodiseasierifyouhaveareinforcedwallforequipmenttopushagainst.

Byprotectingmanurepilesfromrain(left),youcankeepnutrientsinthemanure,ratherthanlettingthemrunofforleachintothesoil.



Lowmoistureandinsufficientaerationslowdecomposition.Checkmoisturelevelswhenyouturnthepile;addmoistureifneeded.Thetrickistoprovideenoughwatersothatthemateri-alshaveathinfilmcoatingmostsurfacesbutthereisstillspacebetweentheparticlesofbeddingandmanurethatcontainsair,notwater.

Oddlyenough,toomuchwateralsoslowsdecomposition.Undersaturatedconditions,oxygen-intolerant(anaerobic)bacteriatakeoverthejobofbreakingdownthecompostpile.Theyworkveryslowly,notveryefficiently,andmaycontributeplant-toxiccompoundstothecompost.Duringthewetseason,it’simportanttocovercompostpileswithaweightedtarptopreventsaturation.Duringthedryseason,it’simportanttocovercompostpilestoconservemoisture.

Isolate waste piles from streamsBufferstripstrapflowingcontaminantsandtakeupwater-car-

riednutrients(seepage10).

Spread manure and compost when plants can use it

Spreadmanureandcompostwhenthesoilisdryenoughtopermitfieldaccessandplantsareactivelygrowing.Agoodguide-lineistospreadnomorethan1⁄4inchofcompostatatime,andnomorethantwiceperyear.Spreadingcompostinspringmightbeidealforplantgrowth,butheavyequipmentcancauseseveredam-agetowetpastures.Inlatesummer,activelygrowingpasturesareshortenoughtoallowefficientapplication.Emptymanurestorageprovidesspaceforwinter’saccumulation.

Spreadingmanureinlatefallislessdesirable.Winterrainswillcarrynutrientsawaywhiledormantplantsareunabletousethem.

Spreadmanureandcompostonlywhenfieldsaredryandplantsareactivelygrowing.Otherwise,nutrientswillendupcontaminatingsurfacewaterorgroundwaterratherthanfertilizingyourpasture.



GeneralCounty soil surveysareavailableatyourlibraryorcountyofficeoftheOSUExtensionService.Healthy Horses, Clean Water: A Guide to Environmentally Friendly Horsekeeping for King County Equine

Businesses. Forcommercialhorsefacilities.ContactLaurieClinton,KingCountyWashingtonLivestockPrograms,[email protected]

Healthy Horses, Clean Water: A Guide to Environmentally Friendly Horsekeeping. Fornoncommercialhorseowners.ContactLaurieClinton,KingCountyWashingtonLivestockPrograms,[email protected]://www.wa.gov/puget_sound/Programs/Agriculture.htm

Horse Housing and Equipment Handbook(MidwestPlanService,122DavidsonHall,IowaStateUniversity,Ames,IA50011-3080;phone1-800-562-3618).

Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage,CherryHill(StoreyBooks,Pownal,VT,1990).Excellentbookonhorsefacilitydesignandmanagement.Includesinformationonunderstandinghorses,designingahorsefacilityforyourland,andgeneralconsiderationsanddesignsforhorsebarnsandotherfacilities.

Horses for Clean Water, AlayneBlickle.http://www.horsesforcleanwater.comManaging Livestock on a Small Acreage (WashingtonStateUniversityCooperativeExtension).

http://coopext.cahe.wsu.edu/infopub/eb1713/eb1713.htmlOregon Small Acreage Fact Sheets (OregonAssociationofConservationDistrictsandUSDA-NRCS)http://

www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/pas/factsheet.htmlOrganics Outlook.http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/organicsSmall Acreage Management (ColoradoStateUniversity).http://www.cnr.colostate.edu/RES/rc/small.htmTips for Small Acreages in Oregon(WashingtonCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict).Maybeavail-

ableatcountyExtensionoffices,orcalltheWashingtonCountySWCDat503-648-3174.Using Geotextile Fabric in Livestock Operations, AEX-304-97(TheOhioStateUniversityExtension).

http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0304.html

Manure managementCERWA(CompostEducation&ResourcesforWesternAgriculture).http://www2.aste.usu.edu/compost/qanda/

qal.htmFertilizing with Manure,PNW533(WashingtonStateUniversityCooperativeExtension,2000).Good Neighbor Guide for Horse-Keeping: Manure Management (UniversityofNewHampshireCooperative

Extension,1995).http://ceinfo.unh.edu/aahr1050.pdfHorse Manure Management—Preventing a Soil Nitrogen Deficiency,AGF-212-95(TheOhioStateUniversity

Extension).http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/agf-fact/0212.htmlIn-Vessel Composting of Horse Manure(TexasA&MUniversity).www.tamu-commerce.edu/coas/agscience/

res-dlc/horse/horse.htmlManaging Horse Manure(NorthCarolinaStateUniversity).Includes42-slideshowonproperstorageofhorse

manure.http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/manure/equine/manure/sld001.htmManure Storage and Compost Facilities for Operation with Limited Numbers of Livestock (USDA-NRCSand

WashingtonCounty(OR)Soil&WaterConservationDistrict,Hillsboro,OR).On-farm Composting Handbook, NRAES-54(distributedbyNortheastRegionalAgriculturalEngineeringSer-

vice,152Riley-RobbHall,CornellUniversityCooperativeExtension,Ithaca,NY,14853-5701;phone607-255-7654;fax607-255-4080;[email protected]).Informationonagriculturalcom-posting.

For more information


This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties.

Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials—without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Published May 2003.

© 2003 Oregon State University.

Photo creditsAlayne Blickle (pages 2 (middle), 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 21, 22); Maggie Livesay (page 19); and Garry Stephenson (pages 2 (top, bottom), 3, 7, 10)

AuthorsGarry Stephenson, Extension small farms faculty, Benton County, Oregon State University; David Hannaway, Extension forage specialist, Oregon State University; Alayne Blickle, program director, Horses for Clean Water, Maple Valley, WA; Larry Brewer, grazing management specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Linda J. Brewer, faculty research assistant, Oregon State University; Marty Chaney, pasture management specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Olympia, WA; and Maggie Livesay, former well water education faculty, Benton County, Oregon State University.

AcknowledgmentsThe development and printing of this publication were funded by a 2001 OSU Extension Service Innovation Grant.

Pasture managementA List of Analytical Laboratories Serving Oregon,EM8677(OSUExtensionService,revised2002).Orchardgrass(DactylisglomerataL.),PNW502(OSUExtensionService,1999).Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook(OSUExtensionService,updatedanually).Pasture and Hay for Horses(PennStateUniversity).http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uc099.pdfPasture and Hayland Renovation for Western Washington and Oregon, EB1870(WashingtonStateUniversity

CooperativeExtension,2002).http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/cepublications/eb1870/eb1870.pdfPasture for Horses(video,PennStateUniversity).http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/Videos/25504vh.htmlPastures Fertilizer Guide: Western Oregon and Western Washington,FG63(OSUExtensionService,revised

1996).Perennial Ryegrass (LoliumperenneL.),PNW503(OSUExtensionService,1999).Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, J.Pojar,A.MacKinnon,andP.Alaback(LonePinePublishing,Vancou-

ver,BC,1994).Rotational Grazing: Livestock Systems Guide (ATTRA—AppropriateTechnologyTransferforRuralAreas).

http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/rotgraze.pdfSoil Sampling for Home Gardens and Small Acreages,EC628(OSUExtensionService,revised1995).Tall Fescue(FestucaarundinaceaSchreb.),PNW504(OSUExtensionService,1999).Tall Fescue/Endophyte/Animal Relationships (OregonTallFescueCommission).Weeds of the West (WesternSocietyofWeedScience,revised2001).DistributedbyOregonState

UniversityExtensionService,422KerrAdministration,Corvallis,OR97331;fax541-737-0817;[email protected]).

Who’s Coming to Dinner? Livestock Eating Habits and Their Effects onGrazing Management, VTP28(video)(OSUExtensionService,1998).

Well water protectionBackflow Protection for Private Water Systems, G.GlickAndrews,EC1488(OSUExtensionService,July

1997).Keeping Your Well Water Well, G.Glick,EM8752(OSUExtensionService,2000).Septic Tank Maintenance, J.A.Moore,EC1343(OSUExtensionService,1989).Twelve Simple Things You Can Do to Protect Your Well Water,G.Glick,EM8651(OSUExtensionService,

June1996).OSUExtensionServiceWellWaterProtectionProgram.541-737-6294;Web:http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu

Note:ManyOSUExtensionServicepublicationsmaybeviewedordownloadedfromtheWeb.Visittheon-linePublicationsandVideoscatalogathttp://eesc.oregonstate.edu.CopiesofmanyofourpublicationsandvideosalsoareavailablefromOSUExtensionandExperimentStationCommunications.Forpricesandorder-inginformation,visitouronlinecatalogorcontactusbyfax(541-737-0817),e-mail([email protected]),orphone(541-737-2513).


managing small-acreage horse farms

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