| Good Pasture = Dr. Green by Kevin H. Kline & Edward N. Ballard The well-known therapeutic benefits of pasture rest and recreation are commonly referred to as "Dr. Green." You'll find no better way to start new foals than allowing them to roam on ample, high quality pasture with their dams. The benefits of Dr. Green are realized only if pasture growth is optimized through grazing management, the selection of productive and well-adapted forage species, and the maintenance of soil fertility. A carefully managed pasture can be not only a healthy place for horses to live and exercise, but also a cost effective source of nutrition requiring minimal supplemental feed. In some states well-managed pastures can meet a horse's needs for both nutrition and exercise for six to eight months of the year. Lactating mares, growing foals, and horses being concurrently trained while on pasture usually require additional nutrients in the form of grain and mineral supplements, even while grazing the most productive pastures.
Kevin H. Kline is an Associate Professor of Animal Sciences, and Edward N. Ballard is an Animal Systems Extension Educator, both at the University of Illinois in Effingham. This article appeared in the Spring 2000 issue of Rural Heritage. |
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05 October 2005