Companion Animals

Horse Pasture Management and Welfare

Pasture management directly affects equine welfare through the provision of appropriate nutrition, exercise opportunity, and social environment.

Key Facts

Horses evolved to graze for 16-18 hours per day a behaviour pattern fundamental to their psychology
Grass in UK pastures can be dangerously rich in non-structural carbohydrates causing laminitis
Paddock paradise track systems allow greater movement than traditional square paddocks
Overgrazing creates horse-sick paddocks with worm burden and nutritional deficiency
Companion paddock access is essential for social contact even where horses cannot be group-housed

Welfare Considerations

Pasture management is a welfare lever that many horse owners underestimate. Over-rich pasture causes laminitis, a painful hoof condition that is increasingly common. Bare, overgrazed paddocks lead to nutritional deficiency and worm reinfestation. Track system design that encourages more movement while controlling grass intake represents a significant welfare improvement for many horses.

What You Can Do

Monitor pasture sugar content through regular assessment
Implement strip grazing or track systems to control grass intake in spring
Ensure horses have companion access even when individual turnout is necessary
Maintain appropriate worming programmes guided by faecal egg counts
Consult an equine nutritionist if managing horses with metabolic conditions