NA TUR AL OPTIONS
When it comes to improving pasture and controlling weeds, there are also a number of natural management options.
1AVOID OVER-GRAZING Don’t allow your paddocks to become over-grazed. Bare patches make space for weeds to grow, so ensure grass is given a chance to recover regularly, then there’s less opportunity for weed invasion.
2WEED CONTROL Where plant numbers are small you can pull up weeds by the roots. Another natural way to control weeds is to mow — most weeds can’t withstand it. Mowing an area of pasture (after it’s been grazed) to a height of 3-4in cuts tall plants down and encourages grasses to produce more leaves, making the strand thicker and better able to outcompete weeds. There’s also an organic product available that kills ragwort.
3GIVE IT A REST Resting pasture gives grass a chance to recover and grow. Create a rotation system by subdividing areas with electric fencing. Once the grass is grazed down to 3-4in, move the horses on to the next section. Only allow horses back on an area when the grass has regrown to about 6-8in.
4GO ORGANIC A number of organic fertilisers are available. The best way to work out what your paddocks need is to call in an expert. They will assess your grass health and come up with a tailored menu for your paddock using organic materials.
5CO-GRAZE Putting sheep on your paddocks has a number of benefits — one of the key ones being that they will eat weeds as well as keeping the grass at the same length. Unlike horses, sheep don’t ‘patch graze’ and leave big gaps in the grass. They also help to break the worm cycle. Speak to your local farmer as he might be happy to graze a few of his sheep on your land.