Winter Pasture for Horses: A Great Option for Winter Feeding
Feeding horses in winter in Canada is an expensive proposition. Care for your horse will depend on temperatures, precipitation (type and the amount), and wind. Each region has its own challenges. Horse owners looking to keep horses outside, in a healthy environment that is also a benefit for the land and easy. Look at winter pasture as a viable option.
Roughage, usually grass or hay, is the most important feed for horses. Digesting roughage keeps horses warm. Some years are difficult getting quality roughage. Rain, too much or too little at the wrong time, too cool temperatures all make haying a challenge. Add the cost of fuel, equipment, getting labour, exporting hay, and other crops that pay better: these all add to the difficulties for a horse owner to affordable acquire hay.
One option, researched extensively throughout North America, is leaving cattle on pasture all winter. It can be either grass or a cereal crop, or grass specifically grown for winter feed; the grass or cereal crops can be left standing or swathed. Another term for saving feed out in the fields for winter feeding is "stockpiling".
"In the fall plants accumulate non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) as a way to maintain itself over winter. Where the NSC is stored will depend on the plant. For instance, timothy stores its NSC in a corm under the ground. Some plants are better at storing NSC than others. Timothy is a good winter pasture grass as it is tall and tends to hold is Water Soluble Carbohydrates well,” explains Grant Lastiwka, P.Ag, Grazing/Forage/Beef Specialist of Alberta Ag Info Centre.
Grant says, "Just last weekend (January 19 weekend) I was snow blowing and found the grass underneath the snow to be still green and alive. This is because the NSC acts like an antifreeze to prevent cell damage. If the snow insulates enough and the NSC are high enough cell integrity are maintained. It can even regreen in the spring and regrow from leaves, and tillers (plants within the plant) for a very early quick spring green up and growth."
What is needed for winter pasture
A fenced area with long grass (hay field or a pasture allowed to grow from mid-July to frost) is needed. A water source, with electricity for the heater, and shelter (stand of
B.Kinsey Winter Pasture 2
trees or shed). Access to the field during the winter for putting out hay. Do not expect the horses to paw through 60 cm of snow and do well. Monitoring the horses condition and health. Strip grazing, using electric fencing, can minimize wastage. Moving fencing in three feet of snow may be a bit daunting.
Pros of Winter Pasture
The benefits of keeping a horse out in pasture for the winter are numerous. The horses keep themselves fit moving from eating to sunbathing spots, to water, and back to the food. Their bones and soft tissues strengthen using low impact, low intensity, long duration exercise. All horses have equal access to feed. All the horses should be in good condition. The horses are happier because they have the freedom to move, such as they are designed to be. There is less bullying as the lessor horse can keep away from the dominant horse. The field is thinly fertilized and reseeded. The next year (and subsequent years) grass crop will grow thickly and lush. Harrowing the field will not necessary (as long as supplemented hay is spread out) in the spring.
Supplementing with Hay
At some point in the winter, the field may run out of grazing or have so much snow that expecting the horses to paw for forage is ridiculous. Put hay out in the field, again spread out so that field and horses get maximum benefit. Unroll round bales to spread manure and hay seeds; it will, also, ensure all horses can eat their share. Feeders pack the ground, concentrates the manure and wastes hay. Lessor horses may not be able to eat their fill or eat in peace.
Care of the Horses at Pasture
A nutrient analysis of the grass will give information on the quality of grazing. Supplementing may be necessary depending on analysis results and the horses condition, age, and body type. Check the horses over looking for signs of injury, lameness, or just different normal. When looking at body condition, remember there will always be at least one horse that does well. Look at the lesser horses in the herd for condition. Hooves need trimming. Snow will not wear down hoofs. Ideally, horses are barefoot for being out in the pasture.
The cons of keeping horses in winter pasture
A longer walk out to see if the horses if you are not able to call them in. Haying may be a bit of a challenge. It all depends on facilities, location and planning. Hoping for the best does not work.
Take a page from ranchers. Turn your horses out. Top seed with no effort from yourself. Get incredible grass. Keep your horses fit and sound, and healthy. Spend your time having fun with the horses instead of on the tractor. Enjoy walking among the herd.
References:
Grant Lastiwka, PAg
Grazing/Forage/Beef Specialist
Alberta Ag-Info Centre
Agruicultre and Rural Development
201 Provincial Building
5030-50 Street
Olds, Alberta
Winter Grazing Options, February 2008, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Manitoba Forage Council www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca and at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture
ww.agr.gc.ca/env/greencover-verdir
or phone 1 866 844 5620
Harper, Dr. Frederick, Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee, Department of Animal Science,
Winter Horse Feeding, Voice, 2004
