Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
PROS
Pasturing can be an ideal way to keep horses.
Contentment.
Many horses are most content when they are at pasture because they are
allowed “to be horses.” Pastured horses rarely develop vices.
Rest.
Pastures usually provide a comfortable place for horses to lie down.
Socialization.
Living with other horses provides companionship and the chance for valu-
able herd interaction so a horse can learn limits of behavior such as biting, kicking, and
crowding.
Soundness.
Pastured horses exercise freely, so tend to stay “legged up”—tendons, liga-
ments, bones, and hooves receive moderate, continuous stress; thus, they become tough yet
resilient and are less prone to lameness from a misstep or slip. As long as the pasture is not
excessively wet, muddy or boggy, or very rocky, many bare hooves improve with pasture
turnout.
Respiratory health.
Horses that live in fresh air and sunshine tend to stay healthier with
fewer of the respiratory diseases that are seen with stalled horses.
Exercise.
Pasture turnout is an ideal choice for broodmares and foals and for growing
young horses, as it allows them to satisfy their need for exercise while adapting to natural
terrain.
Fitness.
A horse that is an energetic self-exerciser will retain a higher level of fitness on
a pasture than in a stall, even if ridden the same amount. Horses in training or work that are
kept on pasture rarely suffer from
azoturia
(tying up).
Nutrition.
A well-kept pasture can offer excellent nutrition, especially minerals and vit-
amins A, D, and E.
Recreation.
Pasture turnout is often good for a horse that needs a break from training or
performance or for a horse that is recuperating from an illness or injury.
Labor.
For day-to-day tasks, labor is decreased because the horse is on “autopilot” for
eating, drinking, exercising, and self-grooming. There are no stalls or runs to clean. Ma-
nure management is less intense, especially on large pastures.
Cost.
If you already own well-maintained pastures, you will incur low hay and grain
costs and will likely have no bedding costs.
CONS
In spite of a seemingly idyllic lifestyle, pasturing horses presents a substantial list of con-
cerns.
Discomfort.
Although many horses are happy on pasture, not all are. Barn horses some-
times prefer stall or pen life with daily human care and individual hay and grain rations.
