Grazing Horses Regeneratively

I've been wondering about applying adaptive grazing practices to horses. Intensive rotational grazing is foundational to regenerative pasture management and has huge benefits for all the typical livestock species, including beef, dairy, sheep, goats, poultry and hogs. Yet it's typical for horses to be kept on overgrazed paddocks, dry lot or in stalls. Even horses out on larger pastures are often not rotated very frequently, if at all.

Drylot housing has its place, but pasture is usually a healthier choice

Finally! I found some suggestions from the Noble Research Institute*, on grazing horses in line with regenerative ag principles. An important caveat here: Full pasture may not be suitable for some horses, especially those with metabolic issues, grass sensitivity or other health issues. Please consult your vet, trainer or other trusted equine advisor before drastically changing your herd's diet or living situation.

Recognize that horses are different from other livestock in signficant ways. First, each individual animal generally holds more emotional and financial value than a single cow, sheep or pig. Close observation is required as any changes are implemented. Second, horses need movement and space. Tightly packing a herd of cattle in to mob-graze works great. Horses tend to spread out more, and you need to make sure the low-man on the totem pole (like the palomino on the right in the photo below) can comfortably graze without getting harassed.

Grazed for short periods at high density, then allowed to recover, pastures become smorgasbords of healthy forage.

With these two things in mind, here's my take on the article's suggestions:

1. Create stock density. Graze your herd together, if possible (I still separate mine during feed time so each gets the appropriate supplements). Given most of us don't have 10,000+ pounds of horses for recommended grazing density, that means small paddocks. These can be simply outlined by polywire and step-in posts.

2. Handle choosy grazing. Horses can be picky. TBH, I want my horses picking and choosing according to their biological needs that day. However, unless you're overgrazing, you'll have forage left over. Two options are to do clean-up grazing with other livestock or shred remaining forage for ground cover. We often bring cattle in after our horses have grazed.

3. Use water to your advantage. Create a lane back to the water trough, similar to a track system. This will help restore the movement lost by the small paddock size. The article also suggests placing a float attached to a hose in a heavy duty wheelbarrow and use it as a portable water trough. Similarly, you can create lanes to shade or shelter.
   

photo credit Noble Research Institute

4. Get creative with paddock shapes to avoid over trampling. While your water and shelter lanes may up being "sacrifice" areas, consider triangular paddocks centered around the water or shade. Rotate the grazing around in a circle, rather than linearly.

5. Rehab overgrazed areas by feeding hay (works great for intensive feeding of other livestock) or plant some cover crops and give it some rest time.

My pastures are a smorgasbord of biodiversity. I was initially worried my horses would bloat or founder on the multiple species of clover we have in the spring. What I've found is that given a choice, they do a reasonable job of making healthy choices and actually eat mostly the grasses and a few broadleaves. I do limit graze the horse that's slightly prone to sub-clinical laminitis during rapid growth stages. Even my old guy who used to have mild colic frequently no longer does so.

*About the Noble Research Institute: Noble Research Institute, LLC is an independent nonprofit agricultural research organization dedicated to delivering solutions to great agricultural challenges. Its mission is to guide farmers and ranchers in applying regenerative principles that yield healthier soil, more productive grazing land, and business success. They are located Ardmore, OK.