I am moving into a new house and property soon. It is 21 acres and I am very excited as it means I have the land to keep a horse. The trouble is, it is overgrown and covered in weeds and stuff such as lantana.
Once it is slashed and the rubbish trees bulldoaed. How exactly do I prepare it so the grass is acceptable for horse grazing? I will not be getting a horse for at least 4 months after we move but I want to start now as I have a feeling it will take that long to become good pasture.
HUBERT
Comments
It takes about 6 months to a year to get good pasture from seed.
Go ahead and clear out the area that will be pasture. Till up the dirt apply a fertilizer (I am organic so i would suggest compost and seas solids). Than plant a good horse forage mix that will thrive in the south (I am in the north so I will make no suggestions about this as I don’t really know what will do well for you but your cooperative extension agent will).
Let the pasture grow for at least 6 months so the roots are established. The more time you can wait the better it will be for the pasture. Mow the pasture once it gets above 4″ to keep the weeds down.
Also divide the pasture into 3 to 4 sections so you can rotate your horses from one paddock to the next and give the pasture a break from grazing so it can grow out for several months each year.
