How to manage our grass over winter

Winter poses a range of challenges to the equine land manager - excess rainfall  (and we have definitely had plenty of that last winter) combined with horses is a recipe for mud! Regular trampling of waterlogged soils also creates an increased risk of compaction.

So what can we do to minimise damage to our pastures in winter?

The key thing for minimising damage in winter is having sufficient grass cover, with good strong root systems to hold the sward together and withstand hoof fall throughout the whole of the winter period. Ideally, you need to be planning your winter grazing right from the spring to ensure that you have good grass cover and sufficient land to rotate your horses round over winter. If you leave them in the same space all winter they will create bare-poached areas that become deep and muddy. However, if you are not in this luxurious position, there are other things you can try.

Where space is limited, look to utilise strip grazing (ideally towards a gateway rather than away from it so that horses don’t loiter in the same space) to reduce damage and prolong grazing.

When grassland is at its wettest, try to avoid turning horses out. If you have a yard area, loafing area or arena, and can provide an outside space and movement off the grassland, this is the best approach to manage both the horse’s mental health and the land. Otherwise, many have to use stabling. A few days in when land is at its wettest can extend the usage of pastures over winter.

Look to improve drainage. Where you have standing water even a simple trench dug by spade through a compacted layer can help to release water and allow fields to dry quicker. Clearing drainage ditches on a regular basis will help water escape your property more quickly. Where significant drainage issues are present look to either mole drain (works well on clay soils) or if you are prepared to invest, install land drains in the summer.