Keeping horses in good shape on a few acres takes management
and timing. Pastures and their care will vary by region, and
you can get advice for yours through local Extension offices
or horse seminars put on by your state's Extension
specialists. While health care and other management issues
are mostly universal, your best bet is to have your local
vet design a system for you.
Gary Heusner, Georgia Extension equine specialist, outlines
a plan for small-acreage horse owners in his state. Here are
some general guidelines:
March-April
Do annual vaccinations, deworm and renew the equine
infectious anemia (Coggins) test. Also, don't forget a West
Nile virus vaccination. In Georgia, Heusner advises a soil
test to determine phosphorous and potassium needs for
bermudagrass.
May-June
Buy an entire year's supply of hay. Fertilize bermudagrass
pastures. Look at weed control. And if you overseeded
bermudagrass with annual ryegrass last fall, mow the
ryegrass if it hasn't been grazed down to allow bermudagrass
growth.
July-August
Deworm horses, making sure to use a boticide and dewormer
effective against small strongyles. Also, think about
applying more nitrogen to bermudagrass.
September-October
Overseed established bermudagrass pastures with annual
ryegrass. Consider deworming again to reduce the internal
parasite load before October, when cooler, wetter weather
lets them contaminate pastures faster. Also, make an effort
to vaccinate your horse for Eastern and Western
encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus.
November-December
Fertilize with nitrogen for ryegrass if you've planted
it.
January-February
If fall and early winter weather favored growth of ryegrass,
make a second application of nitrogen. Deworm, making sure
to use a dewormer that will be effective against bots.