George and Lisa started working on building their pasture in 2000.
They chose the grasses and legumes that would grow best in shady
areas and that also would tolerate plenty of moisture and flooding
in some areas. The areas that flood every year during spring have
reed canary grass. They decided what trees and shrubs to cut down
and which to leave in. After clearing the field, they planted the
pasture mix. George worked meticulously on cleaning leaves from
the pasture, so that the new pasture plants would get as much sunlight
as possible.
During 2001 they managed carefully for weed control through mowing
and pulling weeds, trying always to avoid weeds from maturing and
spreading seed into their pasture. They also mulched the leaves
and cut some extra branches from some of the trees, once again
to prevent as much shading as possible to the grasses. They also
build the barn and designed the paddock layout.
Note: the material on the ground around the barn and
in the stalls is called CONBIT. It has proven very effective to
avoid water runoffs. This is probably also a very good option to
avoid muddy zones in heavy trampled areas such as: by the water
tank or waterer, or the traffic lane that connects all the paddocks.
The downside is that the little pebbles get stuck in the horse's
hoofs and they need frequent cleaning and care, and also that it
makes dust. One possible solution would be to spray it with calcium
carbonate, which prevents dust.
Throughout spring of 2002 weed control with mowing continued and
in middle June they divided the pasture into four paddocks with
an electric fence system and brought their two horses home on June
26.
| Date |
Management Practice |
| June 16, 2002 |
Horses come home! Grass height ranges from 8” to 18”
Paddock 1: graze 1 hr. in the afternoon and 15 min. in the evening
Give hay: 2 flakes, twice daily
There is some standing water
Increase grazing time slowly to 1.5, then 2 hrs. |
| June 29 |
Mow paddocks: 3, 4 and ½ of 2 |
| June 16 to July 9 |
Increase grazing to 1.5 hrs in the morning and 1 hr in the
evening |
| July 9 |
Move horses to paddock 2: height 6” to 12”
Paddock 1 left over: 6” to 12”. Mow |
| July 9 to 23 |
Increase grazing to 6 hrs in the morning and 2 hr in the
evening
7/15: reduced hay to 1 flake twice daily |
| July 23 |
Move horses to paddock 3: height 6 to 10” and 12 to
18” in the back
Paddock 2 left over: 3”, 6”and 12”. Mow |
| July 26 |
Graze 12 hrs straight |
| July 31 |
Graze 24 hrs straight
Stop hay on August 1 |
| August 4 |
Move horses to paddock 4: height 6 to 8” and 15 to
24” in reed canary
Paddock 3 left over: 3”, 6”and 12 to 18”. Mow |
| August 10 |
Restrict grazing to 12 hrs because of mosquitoes |
| August 15 |
Move horses to paddock 1: height 8 to 10” and 12 +”
Paddock 4 left over: 2”, 4”and 6 to 8”. Mow |
| August 21 |
No turnout to pastures because of standing water |
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