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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
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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
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4 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 5
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.
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6 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 7
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
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8 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 9
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.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #2
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10 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #3
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 11
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.
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12 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #4
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 13
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.
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14 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 15
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.
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16 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 17
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).
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18 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 19
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).
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #5
For more information, contact your county Extension agent or visit the Oregon State University Well Water Program Web site (http://wellwater.oregonstate.edu).
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20 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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
MANAGEMENT PRACTICE #6
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 21
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.
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22 • MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS
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.
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MANAGING SMALL-ACREAGE HORSE FARMS • 23
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
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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
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