Horse Pasture Management

Horse Pasture Management begins with coverage of the structure, function and nutritional value of plants, continuing into identification of pasture plants. Management of soil and plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Management of hay and silage are included, since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. A number of chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment and other living things. As an aid in good pasture management, one chapter explains construction and use of fencing and watering systems. Contributions are rounded out with a chapter explaining how the University of Kentucky helps horse farm managers develop their pasture management programs. The purpose of the book is to help people provide a better life for horses Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and study Covers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environmental, and feeding needs of grazing horses to ensure high levels of welfare and health Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concerns Explains pasture-related diseases and toxic plants to be avoided Includes links to useful resources and existing extension programs

Horse Pasture Management begins with coverage of the structure, function and nutritional value of plants, continuing into identification of pasture plants. Management of soil and plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Management of hay and silage are included, since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. A number of chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment and other living things. As an aid in good pasture management, one chapter explains construction and use of fencing and watering systems. Contributions are rounded out with a chapter explaining how the University of Kentucky helps horse farm managers develop their pasture management programs. The purpose of the book is to help people provide a better life for horses. Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and study. Covers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environmental, and feeding needs of grazing horses to ensure high levels of welfare and health. Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concerns. Explains pasture-related diseases and toxic plants to be avoided. Includes links to useful resources and existing extension programs.

Horse Pasture Management, Second Edition provides updated coverage on strategies for managing behavior, grouping, environments, and feeding needs of grazing horses. The purpose of this book is to aid in increasing equine welfare. This book begins with coverage of the structure, function and identification of forages, continuing into nutritional value of pasture plants. Management of soil, the function of a pasture ecosystem and management of plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by forage yield determination, horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Advantages of grazing more than one species of animal are described. Management of hay and silage are included, since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. Several chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment, including climate and weather and other living things. The book also covers strategies for managing manure, erosion, and water quality. Horse Pasture Management, Second Edition is ideal for researchers, scientists, and students involved in animal science, specifically equine studies. Agriculturists, equine managers, and veterinarians will also find this book useful. Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessments, and wildlife concerns Features a new section on reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability using horse farms Explains pasture-related diseases, weed management, and toxic plants to be avoided Offers extra reading recommendations for useful resources and existing extension programs

A dream shared by many is to run a few horses on a small property on the fringes of a city or town. This book shows how to combine sustainable land management practices with a style of horse keeping that will protect the health and well-being of your horses, as well as the land and its wildlife. Good property management does not need to be an expensive undertaking. Improved pasture means less feed bills, reduced mud or dust improves a horse's health and reduces vet bills, better manure management turns a liability into an asset. The reader is first introduced to the horse's natural behaviour as expressed in body language, intelligence, ability to learn, grazing, herd instincts and social behaviour. The book then goes on to cover all the basics of safe handling, routine care and common health problems. Property selection, property design, water supply, pasture management, horse facilities, fencing, trees and plants, manure management and equipment and tools are comprehensively dealt with in separate chapters. This is a practical book written with a minimum of jargon especially for those who are new to horse ownership and small properties. It will deliver real benefits to the landholder, including reduced horse keeping costs, better welfare of horses, increased productivity, and improved land management practices.

Paddock Paradise (PP) is both a book title and a concept of a more naturalized way of horse keeping based upon the research done on the Great Basin wild horses by natural horse care expert and author, Jaime Jackson. PP is a must-read for any horse-owner or professional who wants to create an environment of more optimal mental and physical health for their horses while drastically reducing the number of hours spent on 'barn' chores. Jackson explains to readers why the concept works and how to create one in a simple and inexpensive manner. Not only do horses exercise more but also eat in the manner that nature intended . Research has shown that free-roaming horses are healthier than stabled ones but many kinds of pasture grasses can cause laminitis. PP is the solution for these issues and others that plauge horse owners around the world. "PP is an emerging trend," according to a summer 2011 issue of "The Horse" magazine.

Keeping your own horses requires dedication, hard work, and a sincere interest in the well-being of your animals. This practical guide shows you how to design efficient facilities and establish effective maintenance routines so that your horses can stay happy, healthy, and safe on even the smallest plots of land. Offering expert advice on barn designs, fencing options, and pasture management, Cherry Hill stresses the importance of understanding horse behavior and environmentally responsible land stewardship as integral aspects of a pleasurable and rewarding horsekeeping experience.

Proper formulation of diets for horses depends on adequate knowledge of their nutrient requirements. These requirements depend on the breed and age of the horse and whether it is exercising, pregnant, or lactating. A great deal of new information has been accumulated since the publication 17 years ago of the last edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses. This new edition features a detailed review of scientific literature, summarizing all the latest information, and provides a new set of requirements based on revised data. Also included is updated information on the composition of feeds, feed additives, and other compounds routinely fed to horses. The effects of physiological factors, such as exercise, and environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, are covered, as well. Nutrient Requirements of Horses also contains information on several nutritional and metabolic diseases that horses often have. Designed primarily as a reference, both practical and technical, Nutrient Requirements of Horses is intended to ensure that the diets of horses and other equids contain adequate amounts of nutrients and that the intakes of certain nutrients are not so excessive that they inhibit performance or impair health. This book is primarily intended for animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and other scientists; however, individual horse owners and managers will also find some of this material useful. Professors who teach graduate courses in animal nutrition will find Nutrient Requirements of Horses beneficial as a textbook.

The first book dedicated to this common, serious, and complex equine disease, Equine Laminitis is the gold-standard reference to the latest information on every aspect of the disease and its treatment. Offering a comprehensive, evidence-based knowledge of the disease and therapies from over 30 experts from around the world, the book describes the current understanding of the pathophysiology of the three primary causes of laminitis, the biomechanical principles behind displacement of the distal phalanx, and thoroughly discusses the diagnosis and therapeutic management of the different types of laminitis cases. It presents an overview of options for foot management of different types of displacement, with discussions on making decisions on adjusting therapies in the long term case and both anticipating and managing complications if they occur. This state-of-the-art reference promotes a complete understanding of laminitis, and aids in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Equine Laminitis is an essential resource for the approach to a laminitis case and an invaluable tool for clinicians, including equine veterinarians, specialists, and farriers, and researchers. Key features Provides the first book devoted specifically to equine laminitis Discusses the current state of knowledge on all aspects of the disease, including its history, relevant anatomical considerations, pathophysiology, the diagnostic workup, and clinical treatment Presents 50 chapters written by leading international experts, under the editorship of the foremost authority on equine laminitis Offers a thorough understanding of this common affliction, grounded in the scientific literature Describes effective prevention and treatment plans

Horses perform variety of roles in our society, serving people in several ways. Proper nutrition and feeding management are some of the main objectives to ensure the well-being and performance of horses. Thus, the link between equine health and good dietary treatment must be recognized to increase our understanding of the needs of the horse. It is important to ensure science-based knowledge is available to all stakeholders and people working in the horse industry. This book presents research papers published in the Special Issue of Animals entitled ‘Horse Nutrition and Management’.

The health and profitability of grass-based livestock begins with the food they eat. In Managing Pasture, author Dale Strickler guides farmers and ranchers through the practical and ideological considerations behind caring for the land as a key part of running a successful grass-based operation, from the profitability of replacing expensive grain feed with nutrient-rich native grasses to the benefits of ecologically-minded land management. In-depth examinations of the biology and benefits of grazing plants and different grazing strategies accompany detailed plans for paddock and fencing set-ups, livestock watering, and effective methods for dealing with common pasture problems throughout the seasons, from mud to drought. For readers invested in pasture improvement strategies that offer environmental benefits beyond better meat and dairy, including carbon sequestration, erosion prevention, increased pollinator resources and wildlife habitat, and improved water quality, Managing Pasture is an approachable, accessible guide to creating and caring for the grassland that feeds animals and future generations.

Identifies the 15 most common annual & perennial grasses in Midwestern pastures: the predominant seeded Midwestern grasses, the most common native pasture grasses, & a few annual weedy grasses. Helps you identify grasses the first year, when you need to know whether a seeding was successful. Helps you identify grasses in established pastures so you can make informed decisions about pasture mgmt., fencing, & renovation. Chapters: seed & seedling identification for new plantings; vegetative identification for established plants; & info. on growth habit & mgmt. for each of the seeded grasses. Color photos.

The Story of Kimbrook Arabians looks at the historic Arabian horse breeding program of Bill and Joanne Gutknecht built in Rubicon, WI and later rural Giles County, TN through the eyes of a family friend and owner of horses from the program.