Horse Owners

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the District, here is an overview. The Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District (PWSWCD) is a state- and county-supported, nonprofit, non-regulatory agency, dedicated to helping citizens voluntarily manage their land in a way that protects water quality. We have a staff of five that provide technical and financial assistance to the varied PWC agricultural community as well as educational programs to citizens, both youth to adults. A Board of Directors, comprised of three elected positions, one state appointed position, and a county extension agent, govern the District.

As you read through the many articles we will introduce you to "Environmentally Sensitive Horsekeeping." Most topics will focus of the management of mud, manure, and pastures. We hope to provide you with the tools to evaluate your land stewardship skills and the inspiration to begin to make needed changes. The steps you take will benefit not only your property and horses, but also local waterways that eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay.

To view the latest issue of Prince William at Bay, the District newsletter for landowners, please click here.

Muddy Pastures Are Our Specialty

By Kate Norris, Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District

I was once told that if you really want to see a farm with “its’ working clothes on” visit it in late winter.  Crop fields are generally idle, normally green pastures are a pale shade of dormant, and mud from constant hoof traffic is evident.  Farms aren’t nearly as picturesque in February.

The spring planting season will be arriving soon and experienced farmers are already implementing steps to ensure abundant production.  We work with the less experienced farmers, especially small-acreage horse farm owners. 

This time of year our conservation specialists are busy answering phone calls and emails from horse farm owners that want to improve their pastures this spring.  This year is particularly busy because our local farms were heavily impacted by the drought.  March and April are ideal times to reseed an overgrazed or thinning pasture.

The process to rejuvenate pastures begins with a simple test and our helpful staff will even give you the answers.  The test is a soil test.  Healthy grasses grow in healthy soils.  A soil test is a free analysis that provides site specific guidance for lime and fertilizer application based on the current nutrient and pH levels in each pasture field.  Our conservation specialists visit farms, take soil samples, submit them to VA Tech for analysis, and then translate the recommendations into an easy step-by-step process for busy horse keepers.

If you don’t plant grass seed onto muddy pastures weeds will grow in the bare areas instead.  Our favorite grass seed for most small-acreage horse farms is Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue.  This grass type is suitable for all types of horses except mares in late pregnancy.  Fescue is aggressive and tolerates less than ideal growing conditions such as drought, extreme wet, low fertility, and heavy grazing pressure.  Other grass types may be more palatable or nutritious but require more diligent management.  A newly seeded pasture field requires 90-120 days of growth before it should be grazed for the first time.  This growth time is critical for the roots to become strong enough to withstand grazing.  Grasses grazed too soon will be pulled up by the roots by eager livestock.

Green pastures in spring start with preparation today and year-long management.  Our agency offers free technical assistance to all types of farm owners but we have special expertise in the management of horse farms.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss spring pasture management call our office at (703) 594-3621 or email katenorris@pwswcd.org.

Helpful Information

Conservation Program and Financial Incentives

Chesapeake Bay Preservation and Act How it Affects Prince William County Horse  Farm Owners

Horse Owners Guide to Water Quality Protection - Click here to read this material.  You will need Adobe acrobat to view this.

 Pastures

Weeds