There are several forages that work well for horse pastures depending on where you live. You should use forages that provide the most extended grazing season and grow well in your geographical area. This means that you should look at a combination of warm- and cool-season forages. You should keep in mind that horses are very tough on pastures. Horses are spot grazers and will tend to graze certain areas very close to the ground while leaving other areas untouched. Horses are also very selective grazers and if given a choice will not consume certain forages. Horses will destroy certain sods. In selecting what forages to use for horse pastures, you need to keep all of the above in mind. In many cases, you may want to sacrifice total forage production from a higher yielding grass for one that will withstand close grazing, trampling and bogging and hoof action on pasture. Horse owners are somewhat limited as to the kind of pasture grasses and legumes that can be grown depending on geographical area. There are warm-season perennials, such as Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, bluestems, and native grasses. The cool-season perennial grasses include fescue, orchard grass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, ryegrass, and bluegrass. Varieties of fescue that are contaminated with the endophyte fungus, Acremonium coenophialum, should be avoided because they can cause abortions, stillbirths, thick placentas and/or failure to lactate. Legumes that are suitable for horses are alfalfa, clover, and birds'-foot trefoil. Orchard grass is a bunch grass that produces regrowth rapidly following grazing and should be chosen for irrigated and subirrigated pastures. Smooth bromegrass forms a sod that has a distinct value in prevention of compaction due to trampling. Tall fescue is good for wet areas that are subject to heavy travel. Kentucky bluegrass is a hardy grass that forms a good sod. Ladino clover is a white clover that is productive and palatable to horses. Alsike clover is adapted to wet areas, poorly drained areas and is short lived. Alfalfa can be maintained as a pasture if grazing is followed by long rest periods. The specific seed mixture should be chosen in consultation with the local county Extension agent. The county agent can help the horse owner select a legume:grass mixture on the basis of adaptation to soil and climate. The following are links related to pastures for horses.

• Pastures and Forage Crops for Horses
• AGR-81 Horse Pasture
• ASC-120 Forages For Horses
• Pasture and Hay for Horses in Mississippi

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