Horse Pasture Management

Paul H. Sharpe

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2018
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• eBook ISBN:
  9780128129203
• Subtopic: Environmental Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Horse Pasture Management begins with coverage of the structure, function and nutritional value of plants, continuing into identification of pasture plants. Management of soil and plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Management of hay and silage are included, since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. A number of chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment and other living things. As an aid in good pasture management, one chapter explains construction and use of fencing and watering systems. Contributions are rounded out with a chapter explaining how the University of Kentucky helps horse farm managers develop their pasture management programs. - The purpose of the book is to help people provide a better life for horses - Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and study - Covers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environmental, and feeding needs of grazing horses to ensure high levels of welfare and health - Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concerns - Explains pasture-related diseases and toxic plants to be avoided - Includes links to useful resources and existing extension programs

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contributors
• Biography
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1. Forage Plant Structure, Function, Nutrition, and Growth
• Chapter 2. Identification of Temperate Pasture Grasses and Legumes
• Chapter 3. Nutritional Value of Pasture Plants for Horses
• Chapter 4. Soils for Horse Pasture Management
• Chapter 5. Introduction to Pasture Ecology
• Chapter 6. Pasture Plant Establishment and Management
• Chapter 7. Forage Yield and Its Determination
• Chapter 8. Grazing Behavior, Feed Intake, and Feed Choices
• Chapter 9. Managing Equine Grazing for Pasture Productivity
• Chapter 10. Mixed Species Grazing
• Chapter 11. Production and Management of Hay and Haylage
• Chapter 12. Climate, Weather, and Plant Hardiness
• Chapter 13. Matching Plant Species to Your Environment, Weather, and Climate
• Chapter 14. Managing Manure, Erosion, and Water Quality in and Around Horse Pastures
• Chapter 15. Fencing and Watering Systems
• Chapter 16. Pasture-Related Diseases and Disorders
• Chapter 17. Coexisting With Wildlife
• Chapter 18. University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program
• Appendix 1. Units of Measurement and Conversion Factors
• Appendix 2. Measuring Forage Dry Matter Yield Using Clipped Forage Samples
• Appendix 3. Graphic Representation of Changes in Sward Density and Forage Yield With Increasing Forage Height
• Appendix 4. Independent Evaluation of Falling Plate Meter and Rising Plate Meter
• Appendix 5. Soil Maps from University of Kentucky Pasture Evaluation Program
• Appendix 6. 2016 Field Recommendations: Central Kentucky Horse Farm
• Appendix 7. Answers to Review Questions
• Appendix 8. Metric Equivalents for Hay Bale Sizes, as Described in Chapter 11
• Appendix 9. Environmental Risk Assessment Survey for Farms
• Index