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The official newsletter of Horses for Clean Water, http://www.horsesforcleanwater.com
Message from Alayne: Looking for safer grass for grazing your horses?In recent years I’ve been noticing how many horses there are with metabolic issues—insulin resistance/Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings, laminitis, Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, etc. It turns out that it’s not just me noticing these things; the horse industry as a whole is seeing an upswing of more and more overweight horses with these diabetes-like issues.
What we are learning is that pasture grasses and the related grazing principles used today for horses are the same ones originally developed for the cattle and sheep industries. This means we have grass species with extremely high levels of sugars and carbohydrates that are good for fattening up animals bound for milk or meat production and early age slaughter, but NOT GOOD for horses—animals intended to live an active life that lasts 25+ years. In horses “fat” is not healthy and the related sugar and carbohydrates in hay and grass may explain why we are now seeing so many overweight individuals with metabolic disorders and insulin resistance problems. The way we’ve been grazing horses and the types of pastures we’ve developed may be contributing to very serious horse health issues. People who own a carbohydrate intolerant horse often assume that one solution is to keep their horse in an overgrazed pasture where the grass has been eaten down to the ground. But science tells us that the most amount of sugars in a grass plant are in the bottom 2 to 3 inches. So an overgrazed pasture for an overweight horse or one with metabolic issues would be the worst thing for them. As the grass re-grows, horses eat the new growth—grass that is full of sugars. In the horse industry we all are struggling to develop a better understanding of the issues surrounding sugars, non-structural carbohydrates and grasses for horses. If you have a carbohydrate intolerant horse or an interest in better understanding pasture management, then I invite you to attend one of the upcoming Safergrass workshops (details included below) on April 20th and 21st. This month Horses for Clean Water is partnering with the King Conservation District and the Snohomish Conservation District to bring Colorado-based researcher Katy Watts to Washington for two days of workshops. With over 25 years of experience in agricultural research and consulting, Katy Watts has been studying the effects of sugars, non-structural carbohydrates and common soil/forage mineral deficiencies on horse health. Her web site, Safergrass.org, has more than 70,000 visitors each year, helping people understand how to better manage horses prone to various forms of carbohydrate intolerance. While her lectures are full of detailed technical information, she delivers it in an engaging style using analogy and lay language that is easily understood by anyone who has taken a high school science course. We will also have resource information available so that you can find out about local agencies and organizations who can provide you with technical assistance and advise. Feed companies with low-carbohydrate products, seed dealers and other resources will also be on hand. Please join me and Horses for Clean Water to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about pasture management and how it figures in with our horses’ health. These workshops are available to everyone and I look forward to seeing you there! Alayne Two Days of Safergrass Workshops in Preston and Monroe, WAFriday, April 20th and Saturday, April 21st
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Tip of the Month: Renewable Energy Opportunities on the FarmRenewable energy—such as solar, wind, and biofuels—can play a key role in creating a clean, reliable energy future. The benefits are many and varied, including a cleaner environment. A 2006 publication from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service introduces three renewable energy resources that can be attractive and economically feasible for the farm: solar, wind, and renewable fuels. While not a technical guide for designing or installing renewable energy systems, this publication provides overview information on wind, solar, and renewable fuel technologies, cost and savings, site planning, and financial incentives. For more information see Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm. |
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Seed Advice for Greener Pastures
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Spring has finally come! This is the time to do an assessment of pastures so they stay healthy, productive, and provide as much forage as possible for the coming season. Whether you have a small snack area for your horses to graze, or you have many acres of pasture, the benefit of over seeding, aerating, assessing your soil, or even just controlling weeds will help both the health of your horse and the health of your land.
At Horses for Clean Water we are often asked, ‘What type of pasture seed should I plant or overseed with and where can I get it?’ There are many ‘pasture mixes’ available, but what’s specifically appropriate for horses?
While it is usually safe to buy a horse pasture mix, it may not be as good to buy a general pasture mix. General mixes may contain grass and legume varieties that are more suitable for other livestock such as cows or sheep.
Below is a general guideline for pasture seeds that have proven to grow well in our climate and are fairly easy to obtain in Western Washington and Oregon. Arguments for and against are geared toward horse palatability, success rate, and availability.
To help understand more about the different species and mixes available, we consulted with seed guru Phil Marks from Direct Seed Sales. We asked Phil to explain what pasture seeds to choose when renovating or maintaining horse pastures.
Q. What is the most important thing to keep in mind when selecting a pasture seed?
R. Site analysis. Determine what species will grow best in your pasture as is, without doing anything else. Do you have 30 inches of rain per year or 100 inches? Is your soil well-drained or does it tend to stay wet during the growing season? What type of soil do you have? Your Conservation District may be able to help you answer some of these questions if you don’t know.
Q. Should we buy a single type of seed or a mixture of different seeds?
R. Always a mixture. There are several reasons for this. 1) Different species mature at different times. 2) If one species is eaten or attacked, you don’t lose the integrity of the whole pasture. 3) Horses are hard on pasture and soil; the way they graze and how they move. Having multiple species helps mitigate this damage to some extent. Look for the broadest diversity in a mix with species that will perform the best on your site.
NOTE: Make sure the seed you buy lists 100% of the contents, and that you can identify and approve each item. There should always be a line for noxious weed seed that should read “none found” or “0% for horse pastures.” To understand how to read a seed label see Reading Seed Packaging Labels and Calculating Seed Mixtures.
Just like other crops, mixes vary from season to season. Based on availability and price you may sometimes have a hard time getting what you are looking for. Orchard grass seed, for instance, is up to $160 per pound this year (double from last), whereas some ryes are at $40 per pound. As a result, you may see more rye in some mixes than last season, or much higher prices for other mixes. Even though we produce a majority of the country’s cool season grasses in our region, current demand is high based on a number of factors. Yield was down for 2006 based on growing conditions, growing acres are diminishing as other crops compete with land use, and a 5-year drought in New Zealand and Australia is producing more offshore demand for our seed.
Q. What about clover? I’ve heard lots of opinions on this.
R. Many general pasture mixes have clover seed in them. A good horse pasture mix that is designed for the west side of the Cascades will not. The general argument for including clover in the pasture mix is that it will ‘fix,’ or add nitrogen to the soil, so less fertilizer is needed for grasses. However this argument is seriously overrated. Most of the nitrogen will be located right around the base of the clover plant and doesn’t move or provide for a grass plant that is 30 feet away. Horses tend to seek out and eat clover right to the ground, which will create uneven pastures and allow grasses and weeds to eventually push out the clover. Clover may also give horses more nitrates and protein than is safe for them.
Q. What are endophytes? Why aren’t they good for horses?
R. They are organisms (a fungus) growing inside the plants. They are symbiotic with the seed/plant and do not move to other plants. They occur naturally in fescues and can help the plant ward off insects and disease. Lawn seed grasses are often enhanced with endophytes to help make them resistant to problems. Most of the insects in our climate however are subterranean (meaning they live in the ground, like crane fly larvae), so endophyte enhanced seed only has limited benefits in lawns and should never be used for seeding pastures. It is not possible to tell if your plants have endophytes by looking at them; the only way to know is to buy seed that is labeled as an endophyte-free variety.
Ingestion of fescue endophytes by horses has been linked to hormonal imbalances, birthing problems, poor foal growth, and other reproductive problems.
Q. What is the earliest and latest we can plant seed and get good results?
R. March 15 to June 15 for spring. September 1 to November 1 for fall. The last two weeks of October can be marginal for frost, so it is best to plant before then if it is a cold year. In a dry year, it is best to wait until mid-September.
Q. Are these planting times different than for other types of seeds? They seem longer.
R. Yes. Pasture seeds are generally larger than other seeds, therefore hardier. The four main factors that affect pasture seed germination are 1) light intensity (There isn’t enough sunlight before mid-March or after the first of November.) 2) temperature 3) moisture 4) wind (Although wind isn’t generally a factor in our coastal environment.)
I am a huge proponent of aerating in our climate. If you aerate, apply seed, and then drag your pastures, you will have maximum contact of the seed with the soil. You will also greatly benefit your existing plants by helping them obtain maximum moisture and nutrients for the season.
Q. Which is a better time to plant, spring or fall?
R. Fall. Fall is generally best because the annual weeds are done growing and are not competing with the new grass. Also, both soil and atmospheric temperatures are higher. Another benefit to planting in fall is that many types of grass plants will be well established the next spring and mature enough for foraging.
Q. Once we’ve decided what to plant, how or where do we go to find a good horse pasture seed?
R. Look at or call around to feed stores and ask for horse pasture seed mixes. You generally will not find pasture mixes appropriate for horses at hardware type stores or garden centers. You can try northwest seed companies like Bailey Seed or Outside Pride. Just make sure that who you ask for help understands the needs of horses as well as the seed varieties available.
Q. How often should we overseed?
R. It depends on rotation and use of your pastures. If your horses have a high impact on plants and soils in your pastures, you should overseed once a year. Otherwise every 2 to 3 years is sufficient. If you are renovating, you can overseed in the spring and fall for the first season.
NOTE: Overseeding is the process of broadcasting or spreading seeds over existing pasture, usually done on poorer producing pastures with bare spots showing. Overseed according to the label instructions at a rate of approximately 5 to 30 pounds per acre depending on the type of seed you are using. Overseeding can be accomplished with anything from simple hand-operated equipment (purchased at hardware-type stores or garden centers) or with tractor—drawn seed spreaders.
Q. To make my pastures more productive should I renovate or just overseed?
R. Over-seeding is almost always better. Renovation is a major undertaking that requires tilling, reseeding, and possibly many other steps, depending on your situation. It is expensive, time consuming, and may result in loss of valuable topsoil through erosion. It also invites invasive weeds, making it more difficult for grasses to become established. Unless you have serious problems, it is better to work on improving what you have by removing invasive weeds, adding compost, aerating, correcting pH with lime, and over-seeding.
| Grasses Approximate seed count per pound |
Arguments For | Arguments Against |
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Perennial Ryegrass |
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Annual Ryegrass |
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Italian Ryegrass |
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Timothy |
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Orchard grass |
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Tall Fescue |
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Festulolium |
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| Legumes Approximate seed count per pound |
Arguments For | Arguments Against |
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Red Clover |
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White Clover |
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Alsike Clover |
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Some concluding thoughts...
Pasture mixes containing seed varieties that do well in other parts of the country but not in the Pacific Northwest are a waste of money and effort. One example is Kentucky Bluegrass, which is susceptible to mildew and rust, dying out in a few years. Fine fescue has a low palatability for horses and high susceptibility for endophytes. Instead, choose a mix designed specifically for our climate. Never use lawn or “turf” seed for horse pastures as these are not designed for grazing herbivores and can be detrimental to animal health or cause reproductive problems.
Mowing is a critical factor in how productive your pastures are:
- Always try to mow plants before seed heads break open to keep them productive.
- Make sure your blades are sharpened for the season.
- Don’t mow grass that is immature or mow pasture grasses too short. They should be left at least 4-6 inches tall.
Also, please remember to introduce your horses to fresh grass slowly; it takes many weeks for their digestive systems to acclimate from dry to fresh feed.
Good luck on your pasture endeavors and here’s to greener pastures!
Be sure to attend the Safergrass seminar to learn more about the latest research on carbohydrates, assessing hay and grasses, and other things we can do to help our horses in need of special diets!!
Resources to find out more about grass, hay and pasture seeds for the northwest:
WSU Extension pasture and hay publications link
WA State Conservation Districts
Equi-Analytical Laboratories Forage and Nutrient testing
Reading Seed Packaging Labels and Calculating Seed Mixtures
Interesting articles about grass farming and related issues:
Grass Farming and the Environment
Plant and Animal Issues When Grazing
Endophyte research and diagnosis:
A Plant Pathologist Takes on Tall Fescue’s Endophyte
The Diagnosis of the Tall Fescue Endophyte
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Have cattle or sheep?
New Handbook on Targeted Grazing Now Available
For centuries the technique of using grazing livestock such as sheep, goats, or cattle to suppress unwanted plants was common. Recently, targeted grazing with livestock is being rediscovered and honed as an effective tool to address today’s vegetation management challenges. Targeted grazing is being used to control invasive weeds, reduce fire risk at the wildland-urban interface and increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat. If you have ruminants or are interested in learning more about this low-impact, non-toxic technique for controlling vegetation, you can get started with the recently released handbook available online. The handbook compiles the latest information and research on using livestock to graze vegetation in ways that improve the function and appearance of a wide variety of landscapes. The handbook was created with funding from the National Sheep Industry Association and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and can be viewed on-line at: Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement. Printed copies of the handbook are also available through ASI (e-mail) for $25.00.
BEHAVE Principle of the Month from Utah State University: Mother knows best.
Although not yet researched and tested with horses, this research with cattle and sheep gives us horse owners some “food for thought.” Research at Utah State University in the BEHAVE project, (BEHAVE stands for Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation, and Ecosystem Management, BEHAVE) has shown that an animal’s mother has the greatest effect on what an animal eats as an adult. Mom efficiently passes on information to her offspring—a young animal grazes close to its mother, eating foods she eats and avoiding foods she avoids. Especially for those in the cattle and sheep industries, when buying replacements, look for animals familiar with plants similar to those on your place. If you raise your own replacements, don’t keep animals if you don’t like their mothers’ behavior, no matter how good they look. Interested in more details? Check out the Utah State Extension BEHAVE fact sheet Mother Knows Best Acrobat PDF.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offers tips to end problems with coyotes, other wildlife
Reprinted from the March 30, 2007 WDFW email news release
OLYMPIA-With coyote sightings increasing in many areas of the state as spring unfolds, Washington residents play a major role in averting potentially dangerous encounters with these and other wild animals.
“Don’t feed wildlife, either on purpose or by allowing animals access to garbage, pet food or pets themselves,” said Capt. Bill Hebner, who heads the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) North Puget Sound enforcement program.
Coyotes reportedly preying on domestic cats in the Bellevue area are among the most recent incidents, but problem wildlife encounters occur across the state and typically increase as animals become more active during the spring.
“The common denominator in many of these incidents is that first someone fed wild animals,” said Hebner. “Once a wild animal is fed, it loses its natural fear of humans, becomes more bold, and becomes more dangerous to pets and people.”
The link between feeding and problem wildlife encounters was illustrated last year in an Olympia neighborhood, which experienced a rash of raccoon attacks on cats and dogs. The raccoon problems ceased when residents in the area stopped feeding the animals.
While WDFW enforcement response usually is limited to incidents in which human safety is threatened, department officers will increase their patrols in the Bellevue area due to the reported coyote problems, Hebner said. WDFW also is working with City of Bellevue police to monitor the situation.
Once coyotes become problem animals in urban areas, control is difficult, Hebner said. Some control methods may not be suitable in highly populated settings and live trapping is not successful with coyotes.
Use of body-gripping traps was banned under a citizen initiative passed by Washington voters in 2000. However, under that law, private property owners may seek special approval from WDFW for use of padded leg-hold traps on problem coyotes. Permit details are available on the WDFW web site at Guidelines for Completing an Application for a Permit to use Traps for an Animal Problem. If a permit is approved, property owners assume responsibility for safe use of the traps.
Besides avoiding feeding wildlife, residents can minimize the risk of problem encounters by keeping cats indoors at all times and keeping small dogs in covered kennels or attended on a leash.
While coyote attacks on children are rare, two Bellevue youngsters were bitten last spring by a coyote that was later dispatched by a WDFW officer. To reduce the risk of similar attacks, children should be supervised when playing outdoors.
For more information on avoiding problem encounters with coyotes visit the WDFW website at WDFW Coyote Fact Sheet.
Farm Focus: The Jardine Farm on Novelty Hill in Redmond, WA
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Meet Therese Jardine! Always full of energy and creative ideas, Therese has some wonderful philosophies which include:
- Save as many steps as possible and make things as easy as possible
- Wear coveralls instead of changing clothes
- Use a Rubbermaid bin for feeding hay to reduce mess
- Use free conveyor belting for winter walkways (i.e. for mud reduction)
- Use equipment whenever possible to make job easier and more fun
- At the end of the day, you just have to stop and have a beer or soda!
- AND—SAVE TIME FOR RIDING!!!!!
To spring your horse farm into summer and learn more about Therese’s horse keeping practices join Therese, Horses for Clean Water and the King Conservation District on Saturday, April 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to tour her farm.
Things you’ll see and hear about:
- Sacrifice areas and footing choices
- Dealing with paddock odor challenges
- Composting manure and utilizing the finished product
- Using free conveyor belting for mud management
- Managing small pastures to make them more productive
- And Much, much more!
This event is FREE! Pre-registration is required as participation is limited. King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x125 or e-mail.
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Educational Events
Discover great ways to get your horse property in ship shape for you and your horses to enjoy this summer! Check out the web site, for new events added regularly.
Preston, WA | |
Katy Watts in WA | |
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Friday, April 20th
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Katy Watts, a Colorado-based researcher who has been studying the effects of sugars and non-structural carbohydrates on horse health, will do a presentation for veterinarians, farriers and agency staff on factors affecting sugar content of forage and management of the carbohydrate intolerant horse. PRE-REGISTRATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. For registration e-mail or call 425-277-5581x125 and send checks to The King Conservation District. Questions? E-mail or call 425-432-6116. |
Monroe, WA | |
Katy Watts in WA | |
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Saturday, April 21st
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Safergrass Workshop for Horse Owners Have you been wondering about the sugars in grass and how this affects your horse’s health? Do you hear conflicting info on whether morning time grazing is “safer” vs. evening? Are you horses in a “diet pen” still foundering? Do you have horses with Insulin resistance/Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings or laminitis? Are you concerned that your horses may be at serious risk for metabolic disease? Based on your current pasture situation, do you know how to choose hay appropriate for your horse? For more information on managing pastures, not just for grass but also for horse health, join Colorado-based researcher Katy Watts of Safergrass.org for this all-day workshop. Katy Watts has been studying the effects of sugars, non-structural carbohydrates and common soil/forage mineral deficiencies on horse health. Gain the latest information and current research on the prevention of grass founder in horses—and find out how you can manage your pastures to keep your horse healthier. PRE-REGISTRATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. Registration and checks to: The Snohomish Conservation District, Snohomish Conservation District at 425-335-5634, ext 4 or workshops@snohomishcd.org. Questions? E-mail or call 425-432-6116. |
Redmond, WA | |
Spring your horse farm into summer! | |
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Saturday, April, 28th
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Tour this Redmond horse farm to learn about sacrifice areas and footing choices, dealing with paddock odor challenges, composting manure and utilizing the finished product, using free conveyor belting for mud management, and managing small pastures to make them more productive. Pre-registration is required as participation is limited. King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x125 or e-mail. |
Shelton, WA | |
Summer Workshop Series: Tips for Managing Horse Properties | |
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Monday evenings
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This FREE Horses for Clean Water series will meet one Monday evening a month at the Mason Conservation District in Shelton, WA. Get your property in ship shape for you and your horse to enjoy this summer! TOPICS and DATES:
Pre-registration is encouraged. E-mail Karin Strelioff at Mason Conservation District or call 360-427-9436 or for registration and additional information. |
Olympia, WA | |
Grow More Horse Pasture! | |
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Sunday, May 6th
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Join HCW at this beautiful commercial boarding facility for a workshop on Horse Pasture Management. Learn from experts about basic techniques for good pasture management including how grasses grow, creating a winter paddock, rotational grazing and managing grazing areas. We will also cover soil tests, spreading compost, weed identification and control methods, pasture equipment and horse-safe fencing. Make changes now so your pastures will be more productive & nicer to enjoy this summer as well as healthier for your horse! For registration and directions: in Thurston County contact Sara Carter call 360-754-3588 or in Mason County contact Karin Strelioff call 360-427-9436. |
Woodinville, WA | |
Tour the Hare’s Lair! | |
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Saturday, May 12th
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This beautiful Friesian horse farm combines sustainable horse keeping in a wildlife-friendly, fairy tale setting. View carefully planned out wildlife enhancement techniques where woods, streams and ponds are preserved and artfully woven around pasture areas. See a sacrifice area that doubles as an exercise area, tour a barn with many energy as well as chore efficient features and observe horse manure being composted. Parking will be limited to 20 cars maximum—carpooling and cooperative parking encouraged. E-mail Alayne for registration. |
Hobart, WA | |
Beyond Where the Blacktop Ends | |
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Saturday, June 9th
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Tour the Three Sisters Mule Farm, a private 10-acre equine property that lies above Hobart and is surrounded by Seattle’s Cedar River Watershed. This pristine property is superbly managed for benefit of the mules and their humans—as well as for the environment. See a group sacrifice area, a composting shed, rotational grazing and more management techniques that reduce mud and help with chore efficiency. BONUS: Learn about our unique Cedar River Watershed! To register and receive a map contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581x125 or e-mail. |
Fall City, WA | |
Living Without Horse Pasture | |
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Saturday, September 22nd
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This 6 acre mini-farm had lots of challenges in the horse pasture department—rocks, no topsoil, lots of big trees. Not having much pasture led to creative thinking and alternatives. Tour this Fall City, WA farm to see good use of turn-out areas, mud-free paddocks, different footing choices, a large all-season riding arena, attractive wood fences—plus ducks, chickens and goats, fruit trees and garden. |
Fall City, WA | |
Preparing Your Horse Farm for Winter | |
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Saturday, November 10th
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This large-scale reining horse breeding operation is beautifully set-up and managed. Tour this 20-horse Fall City, WA facility with the owners to hear and see how they designed and built it from the ground up. Learn what works for chore efficiency and what doesn’t. See winter pasture management techniques in place, tour a covered arena which doubles as turnout, hear about dust control, see gates designed for tractor access, and learn about green alder shavings which compost beautifully in their cement compost bins. |
If you have any questions or would like to submit an article for publication in The Green Horse, please e-mail info@horsesforcleanwater.com.
