Horse pastures and facilities

Pasture care

Fall and spring pasture to-do list - There are many chores to be completed in the fall and spring. Learn when it’s the best time to do common tasks.

Frost seeding forages into established horse pastures 

Managing established horse pastures - Each pasture needs rest and regrowth between grazing events.

Planning your horse pasture site - Design pastures that meet your farm’s needs and are safe for both you and your horse. 

Weed control

Grass pasture weed control - Control consists of mechanical, chemical and cultural methods.

Identifying and controlling weeds - Weeds can lower the nutritional value of pastures and some may harm your horse’s health.

Identifying and controlling knapweeds in pastures - Knapweeds can overtake grasslands, reduce pasture productivity and hay quality, and outcompete native prairie plants.

Plants commonly found in horse pastures - This book includes recommended pasture species and will help you identify non-poisonous weeds.

Weed management for pasture and fence line systems

Soils

How to take a soil sample for your pasture (10:18)

Whether establishing or maintaining a pasture, it is important to know about your soil. Learn how to get a representative sample of soil from your pasture.

Cool-season perennial grasses

Cover crops for horse pastures

Fitting teff into the horse diet

Grass mixtures for Midwest horse pastures

Grazing horses on grass and legume mixed pastures

Grazing horses on cool-season annual grasses

Grazing horses on warm-season annual grasses 

Plants commonly found in horse pastures - This book includes recommended pasture species and will help you identify non-poisonous weeds.

Videos

When to initiate horse grazing (6:53)

Many horse owners struggle with determining when to initiate grazing. Learn how to use plant height to determine when to start and stop grazing a horse pasture.

Pasture sampling (8:17)

How to sample pasture plants to understand nutrient content of forage.

FAQs about pasture sampling (2:52)

• How often do I need to sample my pasture?
• How many samples do I need to take for my pasture size?
• What lab should I send my samples to?

Black walnut: a toxic horse bedding

Boxelder seeds cause seasonal pasture myopathy in horses

Chokecherry: a lethal plant to horses

Hoary alyssum: the most common poisonous plant to horses in Minnesota

Are maple leaves toxic to horses?

Oak buds and green acorns can harm horses

Plants that cause mouth blisters in horses

Tall and smallflower buttercup: problem horse pasture plants

Weed seeds toxic to horse

White snakeroot: a toxic plant to horses

Wild parsnip: problem plant in hay and pastures

The book, Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses in the Midwest (2020 Edition), is for sale in the University of Minnesota Bookstore. Get $5 off your order when purchased in combination with the Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses poster.

Preparing for disaster - Be prepared. Have a first aid kit, evacuation plan and other essentials ready in the event severe weather, fire or other emergencies.

Black walnut: a toxic horse bedding - Don’t use black walnut shavings for horse bedding. Toxicity signs include stocking up, warm hooves, founder and colic.

Ventilation systems for horse barns - Horse barns need air exchange to remove moisture, prevent condensation and provide fresh air.

Is my barn eco-friendly? - How can you minimize impacts on the environment? Learn tips for water, erosion control and more.

Horse dry lots and shelters - Dry lots should provide shelter, water, feed and at least 400 square feet per horse.

Managing mud on horse farms - Taking preventative measures to manage mud on the farm can save time and keep horses healthy.