Pasture Management - Commonly Asked Questions

This article answers the most commonly asked questions about paddock maintenance.

How much land do I need to keep a horse?

Normally one horse will require one acre. As a general rule you will be able to keep 3 or 4 sheep per acre of land.

Which type of fencing is most appropriate for my animals?

You need to be careful of barbed wire around horses - this is why horses are so often kept in post and rail enclosures. Smaller animal such as sheep need stock netting so that younger offspring can not escape this is often topped with wire to make the enclosure safe for larger animals as well.

What about temporary fencing?

Temporary fencing would usually mean an electric strand or wire. Generally where you have sheep in the paddock a double strand will be required. The wire is threaded through easily removed and lightweight fence posts so that a field can be quickly and easily divided for pasture management. Often horses will need only small exposure to grass to help control foot problems such as laminitis or you may be trying to control the effects of poaching on the ground. Temporary fencing is often most appropriate where permanent fencing could be considered to be unsightly, for example where the paddock is in your garden.

Are there different types of grass?

There are many different types of grass and grass mixes for livestock pasture. For example a thoroughbred horse will generally have different requirements to a Shetland pony. This is not to say that some grass lays can not be extremely versatile but they will affect your animal's health and should be chosen carefully.

What machinery is required to maintain a healthy and safe paddock?

One of the most effective machines will be the livestock that you choose to keep. They will act as mowers and give your ground some nutrient regeneration as well as helping to keep down weeds. However there are some weeds which are able to be controlled with chemicals. Annual tasks such as harrowing and rolling will require the use of a tractor and as such equipment is usually expensive and large to keep normal practice would be to employ a local contractor to carry out basic maintenance tasks.

What work could I do alone? It is certainly possible to carry out the vast majority of your paddock maintenance as long as you ensure you have the necessary level of knowledge. However often it is the expense of the machinery and tools required coupled with the infrequency of the jobs to be done that make the use of a contractor attractive. They will be able to complete many tasks quickly and efficiently with a small team which may take you may man hours to do with limited hand held equipment and with limited success.

It is the intention that the answers supplied will help you with your paddock management and maintenance programme.


------

Steve Phillips has some livestock in his smallholding and needs to have good paddock maintenance advice. Planning ahead for the year takes the hassle out of this and he invariably relies on GreenPaddocks for thier knowledgeable contracting. They also undertake routine paddock topping and other tasks for pasture management.