HORSES - 4.
Fodder Crops.
Winter Crops: In order of preference by Horses are Triticale, Barley, Ryegrass and Oats, with Barley being indicated originally as the most preferred by Horses, but Triticale is even more acceptable. Saia Oats is a very productive variety, but is unacceptable to Horses until it goes to Seed and they will then eat the Seed Heads.
Oats: Protein: Early 20% - Late 18%. Calcium / Potassium: 1.5:1 - all stages.
Berseem Clover is also suitable for Winter / Spring sewing with Ryegrass, but requires moisture to persist.
Summer Crops: Horses do not like grazing Millets, Hybrid Sorghums and Sudan grasses.
Millets: do not cause Prussic Acid Poisoning.
Hybrid Sudan grasses are the best Sorghum Sudan Grass options as they have lower Prussic Acid and thinner stems with more leaf. NB: If used you should always check for recommended grazing and cutting heights. Cystitis Syndrome, Irritation of the Vagina in Mares, and Urethra in Stallions and Geldings or Muscular problems in the Rear Quarters can result when grazed.
Pasture Fertility
Do not treat the whole property as one as there are many different Soil types. Do a Soil Test to balance the Nutrients available in all of the different Soil types!
The most common Nutrient deficiencies are Phosphorus/ P, Sulphur / S, Potassium / K, Molybdenum and Nitrogen / N. N.B: If Molybdenum is applied as a Mo Single Super Phosphate continually a Copper deficiency will occur.
Calcium, Copper, Magnesium and Zinc may also be deficient in the soils, and one deficiency may limit the response of the other Nutrients.
Although Lime is often used on Acid soils to increase the pH and Calcium levels, this can not only be wasteful, but also dangerous. What really matters is the amount of Calcium relative to the other Minerals, especially Phosphorous.
Poultry Manure is approximately N3.P2.K1 Organic Fertilizer and must be applied at 10 Tonne to 1 Hectare / 2 1/2 Acres for best result, and should be applied in early Spring.
Pasture Weeds
3 Types. Perennial, Winter / Spring annuals and Summer annuals. Usually spread by Grains used in Supplementary feeds and also selective grazing encourages Weeds.
March, April and May is the best time to sow Pastures, but August can be used in Cool climate areas.
Kikuyu can be sown from October to March due to the high soil temperature.
If Summer Grass Weeds are a problem sow in February to early March.
Paterson's Curse, Paddy's Lucerne, Wild Radish and Nettles thrive in overgrazed Pastures. Spray with Herbicide or better to remove by hand.
Paterson's Curse and Fireweed cause Hepatic Disease.
Paddys Lucerne seeds have improved germination after passing through the Digestive System of a Horse.
Cat's Ear / Flatweed causes Stringhalt in Horses.
Blood Tests can determine deficiencies, but Mineral imbalances are hard to diagnose, even with Blood Tests, as the Metabolism will try to balance the Blood Level of Minerals even when there is insufficient available for Bone growth. This is why it is important to provide a good balance in the Pasture or diet.